Los Angeles T-Bone Accident Attorney

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact or broadside collisions, are among the most dangerous types of crashes on California roads. These violent collisions often happen in an instant and leave victims with devastating injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and frustrating battles with insurance companies.

At Kosnett Law Firm, our Los Angeles car accident attorneys help victims of T-bone crashes hold negligent drivers accountable and recover the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you love has been injured in a side-impact collision, here’s what you need to know about how these accidents happen, the injuries they cause, and how an experienced lawyer can help.

What Is a T-Bone Accident?

A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another, forming a “T” shape at the point of impact. These collisions usually occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way, often because they run a red light, ignore a stop sign, or misjudge when it’s safe to turn across traffic.

Because the sides of vehicles have far less structural protection than the front or rear, T-bone crashes frequently cause severe injuries to occupants seated on the side of the impact. While many modern cars are equipped with side airbags and stronger frames than they once were, they still offer only limited protection against a direct hit, compared to impacts on other parts of the car.

Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions in Los Angeles

T-bone crashes often come down to driver negligence. Some of the most frequent causes include:

• Running Red Lights: One of the leading causes of broadside collisions is a driver who tries to beat a yellow light but runs the red instead.

• Failure to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right of way at stop signs or uncontrolled intersections often cause side-impact crashes.

• Distracted Driving: Using a phone, adjusting the radio, or simply not paying attention can lead to split-second mistakes that result in severe crashes.

• Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug use slows reaction times and impairs judgment, making it more likely that a driver will misjudge gaps in traffic.

• Speeding: A speeding driver has less time to stop and less ability to react safely when cross traffic appears.

• Poor Weather or Visibility: Rain, fog, or darkness can make it harder to see other vehicles or traffic signals.

While one driver is usually clearly at fault, T-bone collisions can involve multiple vehicles or shared responsibility. For example, a driver might run a red light, but the other driver may have been speeding through the intersection as well. Determining fault can quickly become complicated, which is why it’s so important to gather evidence and work with a skilled personal injury lawyer.

Why T-Bone Accidents Are So Dangerous

Side-impact crashes can cause catastrophic injuries because the sides of a car offer limited protection. Unlike front-end crashes, where bumpers, crumple zones, and airbags absorb much of the impact, a side door and window provide little to shield occupants from the force of a collision.

In many T-bone accidents, the point of impact is close to where the driver or passenger is sitting, as these crashes often hit the front or rear side door. This direct force can cause the vehicle to spin or roll over, increasing the risk of additional impacts or being struck by other vehicles in the intersection.

Common Injuries in T-Bone Collisions

Injuries from T-bone crashes range from moderate to life-threatening, depending on the speed of the vehicles, the location of the impact, and whether safety features like side airbags deploy properly.

Some of the most common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A strong side impact can cause a driver’s or passenger’s head to strike the window, door frame, or another occupant, leading to concussions or more severe brain trauma.

• Spinal Cord Injuries: The sudden jolt can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.

• Broken Bones: Arms, ribs, hips, and legs are all vulnerable in a side-impact crash.

• Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, and muscle strains are common due to the violent twisting motion.

• Internal Injuries: The force of a T-bone collision can cause damage to internal organs or internal bleeding.

• Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass and crumpled metal often cause deep cuts and scarring.

Many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. Some victims face months or years of rehabilitation, and some may never fully recover.

What to Do After a T-Bone Accident

After any collision, your health and safety come first. If you’re able to move safely, taking the right steps at the scene can also protect your legal rights. Here’s what to do if you’re involved in a T-bone accident:

1. Check for Injuries and Call 911: Get immediate medical help if you or anyone else is injured. A police report is vital for documenting fault.

2. Exchange Information: Get names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, insurance info, and vehicle details from everyone involved.

3. Document the Scene: Take photos of the damage to all vehicles, the intersection, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries.

4. Identify Witnesses: If anyone saw the accident happen, get their names and contact information.

5. Seek Medical Attention: Some injuries may not be obvious right away. Always see a doctor after a side-impact crash.

6. Notify Your Insurance: Report the accident to your insurer, but avoid making detailed statements or accepting blame until you’ve spoken to a lawyer.

7. Contact an Attorney: T-bone crashes often result in serious injuries and complicated fault disputes. An experienced lawyer can investigate, gather evidence, and handle negotiations while you focus on recovery.

Proving Fault in a T-Bone Collision

Establishing who was at fault in a T-bone accident is critical to recovering compensation. In many cases, the driver who failed to yield or ran a red light will be clearly liable, but proving it requires evidence. Some key types of evidence include the police report, traffic camera or surveillance footage, statements from eyewitnesses, photos of vehicle damage and the crash scene, and expert accident reconstruction if needed.

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can recover damages even if you were partly at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often use this rule to shift blame and reduce payouts, so it’s crucial to have a lawyer protect your interests.

What Damages Can You Recover After a T-Bone Accident?

A side-impact crash can lead to significant medical bills, lost income, and life-changing impacts. If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Emergency medical care and hospital bills

• Ongoing treatment, surgeries, or rehabilitation

• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Property damage to your vehicle

• Costs for disability accommodations, if needed

Every case is different, and the amount you can recover depends on the facts of your accident, the severity of your injuries, and how well your lawyer builds your claim.

How Kosnett Law Firm Can Help

At Kosnett Law Firm, our experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys understand the devastation that a serious T-bone crash can cause. We know how insurance companies operate, and we’re committed to fighting for the full compensation our clients deserve.

When you hire us, we can investigate the crash and gather crucial evidence, including identifying all responsible parties. We work with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists not only to prove fault but also to calculate the true value of your claim. We handle all negotiations with insurance adjusters and take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.

Our firm handles T-bone accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs and no legal fees at all unless we win money for you.

Talk to a Los Angeles T-Bone Accident Lawyer Today

A side-impact collision can change your life in seconds. Don’t let someone else’s negligence leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a T-bone crash in Los Angeles or anywhere in Southern California, Kosnett Law Firm is ready to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let our dedicated team protect your rights, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you need to heal and move forward.