Getting into a car accident of any kind in Minneapolis can be distressing and overwhelming. However, a side-impact crash – better known as a T-bone accident – is recognized as one of the most severe types of automobile accidents. If you suffered serious injuries in a T-bone accident in Minneapolis, it can benefit you to hire a local car accident lawyer for claims assistance.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident is so-named because it describes a crash where the front of a vehicle strikes the side of another, forming the shape of a “T.” They often occur when a driver unlawfully enters an intersection, crashing into the driver’s or passenger’s side of an oncoming vehicle that had the right-of-way.
Why Do T-Bone Accidents Happen in Minneapolis?
T-bone accidents in Minneapolis are often caused by driver negligence. Negligence, or the failure to use proper care, can refer to many broken traffic laws and other examples of careless or reckless driving, such as:
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Running red lights
- Rolling through stop signs
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Driving while impaired
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Road rage or aggressive driving
- Fleeing from the police
External factors can also contribute to side-impact crashes in Minneapolis. Wintry weather such as icy roads can cause a driver to lose vehicle control and slide into another car, for example, or a traffic light may malfunction.
Who Is Liable for a T-Bone Accident in Minneapolis?
Identifying the cause of your T-bone accident is necessary if you wish to hold the at-fault party responsible outside of Minnesota’s no-fault car insurance rule. While most car accident cases in Minneapolis require drivers to file claims with their own insurers, regardless of fault, a severe crash allows a victim to seek a financial recovery from the other driver’s insurer.
If a car accident causes at least $4,000 in medical expenses, 60 days of disability, or permanent injury or disfigurement, the victim has the right to hold another driver accountable. Since T-bone collisions are often severe or catastrophic, it is likely that you would be eligible for financial compensation from the at-fault driver or party.
Common Types of Injuries From Side-Impact Collisions
T-bone collisions can cause significant injuries due to the fact that there is little to no protection or structural support in the sides of a motor vehicle. Therefore, occupants sitting closest to the side of impact may suffer severe and catastrophic injuries.
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and spine injuries
- Permanent paralysis
- Lacerations and scarring
- Serious burn injuries
- Internal organ damage
The consequences of a T-bone accident can be extensive. Victims and their loved ones may suffer expensive medical bills, diminished quality of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and long-lasting pain and suffering.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal t-bone accident, our Minneapolis wrongful death attorneys can help you file a wrongful death claim.
Contact Our Minneapolis T-Bone Accident Lawyers Today
Recovering from a T-bone accident and restoring your life to normal as much as possible may take assistance from an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can investigate your accident, determine fault, collect evidence of negligence, hire medical and car accident experts, and deal with insurance claims adjusters on your behalf to fight for a fair settlement. If necessary, your lawyer can take your T-bone accident case to trial in Minneapolis for full financial compensation. It’s particularly recommended to hire a Minneapolis t-bone accident lawyer attorney if you or a loved one suffered life-changing injuries. Contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC today for a free evaluation of your case.