Attorneys explain what you need to know about broadside accidents
A driver recently ran a red light in Fort Wayne, Indiana. That bad decision caused a fatal broadside accident that left one driver dead. T-bone accidents like this one happen far more often than many people might realize, according to attorneys who handle these types of car accidents in Indiana.
The recent fatal side-impact accident happened at the intersection of West Coliseum Boulevard and Sherman Boulevard at around 6 p.m. on a Tuesday night this past June, according to WANE 15 News. A driver traveling east on Coliseum Boulevard ran a red light at the intersection, according to a witness who spoke with police. That driver crashed into the driver’s side of another vehicle heading north on Sherman Boulevard. The driver was pinned inside the vehicle.
Emergency personnel pulled the driver out of the vehicle on Sherman Boulevard. They were taken to an area hospital, where the individual died shortly afterwards, according to WANE 15 News. The accident remains under investigation.
What is a T-bone accident?
T-bone accidents involve one vehicle crashing into the side of another vehicle, forming a T shape. T-bone accidents are also called broadside accidents or side-impact accidents. They occur at intersections, especially in more densely populated areas.
Vehicle manufacturers have developed side-impact air bags (SABs) designed to protect drivers and passengers from serious injuries caused by another car crashing into the side a vehicle. Even so, serious injuries and fatalities often occur due do such accidents. This is especially true if a vehicle crashes into the driver’s side of a car.
How common are intersection accidents?
Intersection accidents, where T-bone accidents often occur, are one of the most common types of car accidents. An estimated 40-50 percent of all motor vehicle accidents occur at intersections and account for more than 20 percent of all traffic fatalities each year nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).
As for broadside accidents in particular, an estimate 23 percent of all motor vehicle accidents are side-impact accidents, resulting in more than 1,400 deaths each year due to T-bone accidents, according to statistics compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Why do broadside accidents happen?
T-bone accidents occur for a wide range of reasons, but in many cases, crashes happen because one driver broke the law or behaved in a reckless or negligent manner. Common causes of side-impact accidents include:
- Driver running a red light or stop sign and crashing into the side of another vehicle
- Distracted driver not paying attention and crashing into the side of a car at an intersection
- Drunk driver not aware of their surroundings and speeding through an intersection into another car
- Driver falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into the side of a vehicle
These are just some of the reasons why these accidents happen. Each case often has its own unique characteristics. That’s why it’s critical that injury victims and their families talk to an attorney as soon as possible after their side-impact accident.
How can a lawyer help?
You might think you don’t even need an attorney if another driver broke the law and crashed into the side of your car or a loved one’s vehicle. Many T-bone accidents turn out to be complicated legal cases, however.
Sometimes, it’s because the driver who caused the crash denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that can be difficult to deal with. This is the case especially in an at-fault state like Indiana. Here, the at-fault driver (or their insurance company in many cases) is responsible for financially compensating injury victims for their accident-related expenses.
Our attorneys at Boughter Sinak, LLC have years of experience handling a wide range of complicated legal cases. As a result, we know what evidence to look for when dealing with T-bone accidents. This includes examining traffic camera footage of a crash whenever possible. We also will track down witnesses who saw what happened and consult with accident reconstruction experts, if necessary. To learn more about how we can help you with your broadside accident, simply contact us and schedule your free case evaluation. Our law firm has two offices conveniently located in Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana.