Pensacola Side Impact/T-bone Car Accident Lawyer

a side impact/T-bone car accident on a highway

A side impact or T-bone car accident can cause serious injuries and significant property damage. When seeking compensation for injuries and other losses sustained in these collisions, it’s essential to understand how they occur and how lawyers and insurance companies use evidence to determine fault.

Attorney Ryan M. Cardoso has been practicing law for over 20 years and has earned a solid reputation in the Florida Panhandle region for handling personal injury cases. If you were injured in a T-bone accident in Pensacola, contact Cardoso Law, PLLC, for a free consultation. We’ll review the accident details and discuss what you can expect from your case.

T-Bone Accident Meaning: Understanding the Term

T-bone accidents get their name from the positions of the vehicles at the time of impact. The front of one vehicle collides into the side of another, making a T-shape when viewed from above.

Unfortunately, this name also leads to biases regarding fault that you may have to overcome to secure compensation. Many people assume that the driver of the vehicle that struck the side of the other vehicle is automatically at fault, but this is not necessarily the case.

Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions in Pensacola

T-bone collisions in Pensacola most often result from driver negligence. However, mechanical failures and road or weather conditions can also play a role. Common causes of these accidents include:

  • A driver failing to yield the right-of-way when turning left at an intersection
  • A driver ignoring traffic signs or signals at an intersection
  • A driver’s brakes failing when approaching an intersection

While intersections are the primary location where T-bone accidents occur, they also happen in busy parking lots. Drivers pulling out of spots may collide with passing vehicles.

T-Bone Car Accident: Who Is at Fault?

One of the biggest questions that needs to be answered after a T-bone car accident is, “Who is at fault?” In many cases, the driver who collided head-on with the side of the other vehicle is at fault, but that’s not always the case.

For example, in a failure-to-yield case, the at-fault driver may have been the one who was struck on the side. This could be because they pulled out in front of oncoming traffic, to which they should have yielded the right of way.

To determine fault, the lawyers and insurance companies involved in the case will examine various kinds of evidence, such as:

  • Accident scene photographs
  • Traffic camera footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Onboard vehicle computer data
  • Crash reconstruction specialist testimony

Injuries Commonly Sustained in T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents can result in a wide range of severe injuries. Injuries our clients are frequently seeking compensation for include:

Some injuries depend on where you were seated in relation to the point of impact. For example, crushing injuries are more common in passengers on the side of the vehicle that was struck, while whiplash is a common injury for those in the vehicle that collided head-on.

What to Do After a T-Bone Accident in Pensacola

After a T-bone accident in Pensacola, you must continue with your medical treatment until your doctor releases you from care. This will prevent the at-fault driver’s insurance company from claiming you didn’t take your injuries seriously and help your lawyer evaluate the cost of your future medical treatment, as complications are less likely to arise after that point.

It’s also important to keep track of your medical bills and write down your daily pain levels. These simple tasks can play a significant role in helping you secure fair compensation.

Compensation After a T-Bone Accident

The compensation you can pursue after a T-bone accident covers both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, which have tangible value. Non-economic losses include pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment of life, which are personal losses with intangible value.

Working with an experienced car accident lawyer is the best way to maximize your compensation after a crash that wasn’t your fault.

Why You Need a Pensacola T-Bone Accident Lawyer

Hiring a Pensacola T-bone accident lawyer can help you understand your rights following a devastating T-bone car accident. Your attorney can handle your case from start to finish by:

  • Identifying the at-fault party or parties
  • Gathering key evidence
  • Calculating the value of your losses
  • Negotiating a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company
  • Taking your case to trial if necessary

While your personal injury lawyer is handling all of that, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and taking back your life.

FAQ: T-Bone Accident Cases in Pensacola

Below, we’ve provided quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about T-bone accident cases in Pensacola, FL.

What is a T-bone accident?

A T-bone accident is a type of side-impact collision where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another at a 90-degree angle, resulting in a T-shape if viewed from above. These accidents most frequently occur at intersections.

Who is at fault in a T-bone car accident?

The driver at fault in a T-bone car accident depends on the circumstances of the crash. The driver who collided with the other vehicle could be at fault if they ran a red light or stop sign. However, the driver who was struck could also be at fault if they failed to yield the right of way when turning at an intersection.

How much is a T-bone accident settlement worth?

The compensation you can obtain for your specific case depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the strength of your evidence, and the auto insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver.

Speak with a Pensacola T-Bone Collision Attorney Today

Contact Cardoso Law, PLLC, to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced T-bone collision attorney. During your free consultation, we’ll provide an initial estimate of the potential value of your case and explain your options for seeking the compensation you need.