T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer in Queens, NY

Side-impact collisions, commonly called T-bone collisions, are among the most devastating of traffic accidents. A side-impact collision can leave victims with serious injuries and a stack of unpaid medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a T-bone accident that was caused by another motorist and you’ve exhausted your no-fault insurance benefits, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.

A car accident lawyer at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. can review the accident and explain your legal rights. Our Queens personal injury firm is dedicated to helping people who have been injured by the negligence of others pursue just compensation. We take pride in the personal attention and aggressive advocacy we give each client. We only charge a legal fee if we obtain compensation for you.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a side-impact collision that was not your fault, let our firm help you during this challenging time. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced T-bone car accident lawyer in Queens.

What to Do After a T-Bone Accident in Queens

T-bone accidents are stressful and chaotic. It’s important to take certain steps if you are involved in one. After a collision, you should:

Get Medical Help – T-bone accidents often leave victims with extensive injuries. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations and keep follow-up appointments.
Gather Documentation and Evidence – The more evidence and information you collect regarding the accident, the better. This may include photos of the accident and the other driver’s information. Any pertinent information regarding the accident can be extremely useful to your car accident attorney, as it helps build a strong case.
Report Your Accident – Always contact your car insurance company after an accident. Insurance companies expect their policyholders to report any incidents involving their vehicles as soon as they are able. Your insurer will ask questions about the accident and assign an adjuster to your case.
Consult with a T-Bone Accident Lawyer – A car accident lawyer can review the facts of the accident and assess whether you have a valid claim. Should you have a case, you can count on our lawyers to fight for your legal rights.

What Is a T-Bone Accident?

A T-bone collision, also known as a side-impact or broadside collision, occurs when the front end of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. The vehicles form the shape of the letter T, which gives the collision its name.

T-bone accidents happen most frequently at New York City intersections. If a driver runs a stop sign or red light, the driver’s vehicle may be struck in the side or hit the side of another vehicle that has the right of way. However, side-impact collisions also occur wherever traffic progresses at perpendicular angles, such as at driveways and in parking lots. A T-bone collision can even happen on the highway if a driver loses control and crosses other lanes of traffic.

Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident?

t-bone-collision Determining liability after a side-impact collision can be complicated in some situations, one driver is entirely at fault. In many accidents, more than one driver contributed to the collision.

For example, assume one driver is waiting at an intersection to make a left turn. The driver is waiting until the intersection is clear. Unfortunately, the driver misjudges the speed of a car that is approaching the intersection at a high speed. The driver turns left in front of the approaching vehicle and is struck in the side.

In this scenario, both parties might share some degree of fault. The speeding driver should not have been speeding, but the driver making the left turn should have yielded the right of way.

In many cases, an investigation is necessary to determine who is at fault for a T-bone accident. This investigation may rely on evidence including:

Police reports
Traffic camera footage
Witness statements

When multiple parties are at fault for a car accident, New York courts apply the comparative fault rule in determining eligibility for compensation. Under this rule, the amount you receive in compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 30 percent responsible for an accident in which you suffered $100,000 in losses, you would receive $70,000 in compensation.

Proving That the Other Driver Was Negligent

To establish negligence, you must prove that:

The other driver had a duty to drive with reasonable care to avoid endangering others
The other driver neglected that responsibility and instead acted in a manner that put others on the road at risk
The other driver’s actions caused your injuries
You suffered provable losses

Drivers have a legal duty to drive responsibly to keep other drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians from harm. A driver may jeopardize the safety of others on the road by disregarding traffic laws or engaging in unsafe behaviors such as texting while driving or driving under the influence. This can cause accidents that lead to injuries and subsequent losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Injuries that May Result from a T-Bone Accident

T-bone accidents commonly result in serious injuries, including:

Head injuries
Neck injuries, including whiplash
Broken bones
Spinal injuries, including bulging or herniated discs
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Soft tissue injuries, including tears and sprains
Injuries caused by airbag deployment

If you don’t require emergency medical treatment after a crash, you should still seek a prompt medical evaluation. Some serious injuries such as head injuries may not present obvious symptoms at first. However, a trained medical professional may be able to diagnose the injury.

Causes of Side Impacts in a Car Accident

T-bone collisions are sometimes referred to as intersection accidents because they typically happen at intersections.

Most frequently, T-bone accidents occur when a driver is attempting to make a left turn at an intersection and misjudges the speed of oncoming cars. Drivers who speed through red lights also cause many intersection collisions. Other contributing causes include:

The underlying cause of most T-bone accidents is driver error. If you were seriously injured in a T-bone collision that was caused by another driver’s error, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered and the expenses those injuries caused you.

New York requires drivers to have Personal Injury Protection no-fault insurance. After a traffic accident involving injuries, you initially file a claim against your own no-fault insurance for your medical expenses, regardless of who caused the accident. If your injuries are serious and your medical bills exceed your no-fault insurance limits, then you may file a claim against the other driver’s insurance.

T-Bone Accident Average Settlement

In short, there is no average car accident settlement. Every accident claim has a unique fact pattern. Your car accident lawyer will need to decide how much your case is worth by considering factors, such as:

The severity of your injuries
How long it’ll take to recover from your injuries
The total amount of medical bills
Whether your injuries have resulted in a disability
Financial and non-financial losses you suffered
Who is at fault
What evidence is available

Compensation for a T-bone accident can include money for:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Lost earning potential
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability
Loss of consortium

Your car accident attorney will calculate the value of your t-bone accident injury claim and pursue a financial recovery for you if you have a claim.

Statute of Limitations to File a T-Bone Accident in New York

The statute of limitations establishes a time limit for filing a lawsuit. In New York, the statute of limitations for victims wishing to seek compensation for their injuries and property damage after a car accident is three years from the date of the accident.

If the T-bone accident resulted in a fatality, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the person’s death. It is important to note that the date of the accident and the date of the person’s death may be different.

If the statute of limitations has expired, you will be barred from bringing a claim. Because of this, it is important to consult with a qualified car accident attorney in Queens as soon as possible to avoid forfeiting your right to seek compensation.

Contact Our Experienced T-Bone Car Accident Lawyers in Queens

If you’ve been seriously injured in a side-impact collision in Queens, The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. can help you seek justice and financial compensation. We charge no fees unless we recover money on your behalf. The initial consultation about your car accident claim is free. Contact us today to discuss your options with a Queens car accident lawyer at no cost to you.