Side-Impact/T-Bone Car Accidents in Houston

Side impact is an umbrella term for car crashes that are sideswipes or T-bones. Sideswipes are usually less disastrous because the impact occurs on the sides of both cars, generally at a similar speed while traveling in the same direction. T-bone crashes can cause severe injuries and death because the full impact of one car smacks into the side of another vehicle where the driver or passenger is only protected by the door.

In either case, you will incur damage to your vehicle and various injuries to your person. The motorist who grazed or slammed into the side of your car should have to pay for your injuries and property damage. Before you accept an insurance settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurer, call an attorney at Benjamin Roberts Law. You will need help negotiating the best settlement, and if the offer is not enough, litigating for compensation after side-impact/T-bone car accidents in Houston.

Types of Side-Impact Car Wrecks

Sideswipes are sometimes called blind spot or unsafe lane change accidents to describe why they happen. One car tries to change lanes and does not see another in the blind spot until it is too late. The car sides scrape. T-bone crashes are often called broadside accidents and usually occur at intersections when the front of one car smashes into the side of another, forming the letter T. Together, sideswipe and T-bone accidents account for about 25 percent of passenger deaths.

Examples of how a motorist causes side-impact car crashes include:

• One motorist is merging into traffic and fails to see another motorist approaching in the target lane
• A motorist is texting and fails to yield the right-of-way while merging into another lane
• A motorist is trying to beat a yellow light and makes a left turn without watching for oncoming motorists
• The motorist runs a stop sign and rams into another car

Side-impact car collisions cause severe injuries that may take years to heal and may leave residual damage, such as lifelong pain, paralysis, disfigurement, and the after-effects of brain injuries. When discussing appropriate settlements or damages awards, a Houston attorney will consider these long-term effects from side-impact car wrecks.

Compensation Available After a T-Bone Car Crash

Side-impact and T-bone car collisions can result in expensive and continuing care. Juries can award economic damages to alleviate the cost of extensive hospital and medical care costs, lost wages, and damage to the plaintiff’s car. Non-economic damages are subjective and put a dollar amount on the loss of enjoying one’s family, recurrent suffering, the inability to perform one’s former job, and loss of physical agility.

Statute of Limitations

Side-impact crashes fall under injury law. Texas requires an individual and their attorney to file actions for damages within two years of the accident under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Exceptions to the two-year deadline include if the plaintiff is a minor, a victim of a sex crime, or involves medical malpractice. Other less common exceptions could apply. An attorney in Houston skilled at litigating T-bone car accidents can file a lawsuit within this deadline.

An Attorney Can Help After Side-Impact/T-Bone Vehicle Accidents in Houston

When another motorist sideswipes your car, hopefully, the damage will all be to your property. However, when you are T-boned, smashed in the side by the nose of a barreling car, you may suffer catastrophic injuries that need attention and money to rectify. Offending drivers should pay, and we can help hold them responsible.

Our legal team believes people who negligently cause injuries to others should be held accountable. We are tireless fighters, adept and intent on getting you the compensation you deserve. Call us today if you have been involved in side-impact/T-bone car accidents in Houston.