T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton

Side-impact car accidents, also commonly referred to as T-Bone car accidents, are often serious and lead to one in five traffic fatalities. Even when a T-Bone crash is not fatal, it can cause injuries that require years of treatment and interfere with the victim’s ability to work. Those at fault for the accident may be liable for the damages they cause. 

If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in a t-bone car accident, let a Boca Raton car accident lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo help. Our car accident lawyers understand the disruption that injuries and medical bills can cause to a person’s life. We are prepared to take on the fight for full compensation so that you can focus on getting back to your life. 

Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents 

Some common ways that side-impact collisions, in which the end of one vehicle strikes another vehicle in the side in such a way that they resemble a “T,” occur include: 

• Failure to yield in an intersection – When a driver disregards a traffic light or stop sign, they risk entering an intersection when a vehicle with the right-of-way is passing through and in position for a t-bone crash. 
• Carelessness in parking lots – Vehicles backing out of parking lot spaces with carelessness or excessive speed, or vehicles traveling through parking lots without yielding to those backing out can cause side collisions. 
• Loss of control – High-speed travel, such as on the highway, can lead to side-impact crashes when a car loses control and crosses into another lane.  

Some of the ways these hazardous situations can occur include: 

• Drunk driving, which impairs decision-making abilities and reaction times 
• Drowsy driving, which can affect a driver’s abilities similarly to drunk driving 
• Distracted driving taking the driver’s attention from the road 
• Disregarding traffic laws, including speeding 
• Weather-related road conditions 
• Defective vehicle or parts that do not allow a driver to brake or otherwise respond to a road obstruction 

The reality is that most T-bone crashes could have been avoided. If the carelessness of another driver, a vehicle manufacturer, or someone who had control of the road conditions caused or contributed to the crash, compensation may be available for the injuries. 

Common Injuries in Side-Impact Crashes 

In a T-bone crash, the occupants of the vehicle that is struck in the side are relatively exposed; they do not have the protections of a bumper or front airbags, and many do not have side-impact airbags either. As a result, the driver and passengers are exposed to a greater force. Unfortunately, this also means that T-bone car accidents are more likely to cause fatalities than other types of crashes. 

In addition to death, some of the injuries that Boca Raton T-bone accident attorneys commonly see include: 

• Neck and spinal cord damage, which can cause paralysis 
• Whiplash 
• Concussion and other closed head injuries 
• Broken bones 
• Cuts and bruises 

Who Is at Fault for a Side-Impact Crash in Florida? 

Often a T-bone crash is caused by at least one driver’s carelessness. If the driver was disobeying safety-oriented traffic laws and that disregard causes a crash, there is a strong case against that driver. Some common examples include: 

• Speeding 
• Disregarding traffic lights or signs 
• Failing to maintain assured clear distance 
• Changing lanes without signaling 
• Driving while distracted 

Other individuals or entities may be at fault if their carelessness caused the accident. This can include: 

• A municipality with control over the road conditions 
• An engineer that programmed the traffic control signals 
• The manufacturer or distributor of a vehicle or defective parts  

Even the injured plaintiff may bear some of the fault for the crash. It is important to know that if you were injured in a crash, under Florida’s new modified comparative fault law, you must be less than 50% at fault for the accident to recover damages. If you may be partly to blame, speak with a Boca Raton T-bone car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your options. 

Proving Fault for a T-Bone Crash 

Florida is a no-fault state. That means that there is no need to prove who was to blame for an accident if the injuries were minor; each party must submit the bills to their own insurance policy for payment under the Personal Injury Protection coverage. However, since side-impact crashes tend to be serious – even deadly – injured victims or their representatives may bring a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault party for full compensation.  

In a personal injury lawsuit, a Florida car accident plaintiff must be able to prove that the defendant – whether that is another driver, a car manufacturer, or a business or government entity that had control of road conditions – was negligent. This means that they breached a legal duty and that breach caused the accident and resulting injuries. Sometimes negligence may seem obvious, but it can often require expertise to determine and prove.  

If you are contemplating a car accident lawsuit, consult with a side impact collision lawyer immediately. 

Florida Car Accident Damages 

If your injuries are minor or there was no other party liable for the accident, your compensation is limited to only reimbursement for your medical bills and a percentage of lost wages up to the $10,000 coverage limit under the state no-fault laws. PIP coverage also gives up to $5,000 in death benefits that can pay for funeral expenses. 

If your injuries are serious enough to exceed the $10,000 limit and someone else was to blame, you may also be entitled to recover pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, loss of consortium, disfigurement, mental anguish, and possibly even punitive damages. In those cases, Florida law allows you to seek compensation for your car accident that accounts for all of your losses.  

How a T-Bone Accident Lawyer Can Help 

If you sustained what seem to be minor injuries, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced lawyer before you sign anything. The no-fault system can be helpful in that it provides you with some necessary compensation in a quick way, without the complexities of proving fault. But if your seemingly minor injuries turn out to be more serious, you need experienced guidance.  

Car accident victims in Florida need competent counsel as to the strength of their case. They need a lawyer who can take the lead and prove fault while providing evidence for all claimed damages. At Kogan & DiSalvo, we stretch out a helping hand to those who need it most – clients whose lives have been turned upside down by a serious injury. We offer strong advocacy based on technical competence and real-world understanding – we know what you are going through and will help you prove it in court. 

Speak With a Florida Car Accident Lawyer Today 

If you have been hurt in a side swipe accident, you may feel like the deck is stacked against you. You may be dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and new disabilities all at once. Call the Boca Raton car accident lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo today. We fight for your rights so you can focus on getting back to your life. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary case review.