Why Side Impact Crashes (T-bones) Are Dangerous

T-bone: it sounds delicious but it’s definitely not. The letter “T” is used as a quick description for describing the often-deadly impact two vehicles make when they collide. The front of one car slams into the side of the other car. In many T-bone car and truck crashes, the occupants of the car whose side is hit die or suffer catastrophic injuries. Often, the driver and front passenger in the vehicle whose front is smashed also die or suffer long-term injuries. The risk of death, a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or other harm only increases if either or both vehicles are traveling at high rates of speed.

T-bone crashes are also called broadside crashes and side-impact collisions. They can happen anywhere on the highway. They occur most often though at intersections. The reason that the consequences are often greater for the car that is struck on the side is that the driver or passenger is only protected by the door. When the front of a car or truck strikes the door, the door crushes the occupant. The occupants of the front car (the car whose front strikes the other car) are protected by the hood of the car or the front of the tractor or truck.

Another danger to occupants of the car/truck that is struck on the side is that many older vehicles aren’t equipped with side-impact airbags. Most vehicles are protected by airbags that only deploy when the vehicle is struck in the front or in the rear.

Why do T-bone occur in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA?

In most cases, the accident occurs in one of two basic ways:

1. The driver of the truck/car that strikes the side of the other vehicle is being negligent. That negligence can take the form of:
   1. Drunk driving
   2. Distracted driving
   3. Speeding
   4. Running through a red light or stop sign
   5. Failing to yield the right of way
   6. Making an improper turn
2. The driver of the car that is struck on the side entered into the lane of traffic of the other vehicle – so that the driver of the other vehicle couldn’t possibly avoid the accident. But sometimes, the reason the driver entered the lane was unavoidable because of:
   1. Poor weather conditions
   2. Defective truck or car parts
   3. Defects in the design of the road
   4. Lack of adequate and/or working lights
   5. Lack of adequate signage directing traffic when to go and when to stop

A quick note about intersection crashes

The most common site of a side impact crash is an intersection. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most intersection accidents occur due to:

• Obstructed views
• Making a false assumption about what the other driver will do
• Illegal maneuvers
• Misjudging the other driver’s speed
• Speeding or driving aggressively
• Panicking
• An internal or external distraction

T-bone crashes are also common in parking lots and parking garages, where visibility is much lower.

Who is responsible for a broadside collision?

In addition to the driver who is negligent:

• The owner(s) or the truck or car may also be liable for the negligence of anyone who drove their vehicle.
• If the vehicle that caused the accident was a truck; then the trucking company that hired the driver or arranged for the driver may also be responsible.
• A manufacturer, distributor, or seller of a defective truck or car part may be responsible – if the defective part caused anyone to die or suffer injuries.
• If the driver was intoxicated, a bar or tavern that sold the driver liquor may be liable – if the driver was visibly intoxicated when he/she was served – and the intoxication is the cause of the crash.
• In the state of Washington, a governmental subdivision such as a county, or a governmental agency such as the Washington Department of Transportation may be liable. For example, if a traffic light wasn’t operable and the Washington DOT didn’t fix it or arrange for an officer to direct traffic, then the Washington DOT might be liable.

We work with our clients, witnesses, investigators, the police, and in some cases product safety experts and traffic reconstruction experts – to prove the defendants are liable.

What types of injuries do drivers and passengers suffer in a broadside crash?

The worst result of a broadside crash is that someone dies. If a loved one dies, our Vancouver, WA truck and car accident lawyers file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family of the person who tragically died.

Survivors of broadside crashes may suffer:

• A traumatic brain injury or head injury
• Spinal cord damage
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Injuries to tissue, muscles, ligaments, joints, and nerves
• Heart failure
• Amputation
• Lacerations and bruises
• Burn injuries

We demand compensation for all personal injuries including payment for:

• Your physical pain and emotional suffering
• Lost income including disability compensation
• Your medical bills including surgeries, doctor visits, therapy, medications, and medical devices
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of life’s pleasures

At Philbrook Law Office, our car accident lawyers in Vancouver, and Battle Ground, WA have a strong track record of success settling these complex accident cases. We work with your doctors to fully verify and explain why the accident has changed your life – often, forever. We fight for families when a broadside crash tragically ends the love of someone you love. If a loved one died or you were injured in a T-bone crash, call our offices in Vancouver, WA and Battle Ground, WA at 360-695-3309 or use our contact form to discuss your case.