Side Impact/T-Bone Car Accidents in Rockaway Beach
T-bone car accidents are extremely hazardous to the occupants of the vehicle that was hit. The side panels of motor vehicles are the weakest parts of its body, and a forceful collision can cause devastating injuries.
The no-fault system in this state is supposed to make crash claims easier, but getting the compensation you deserve can be complicated. When you suffer injuries in a side-impact/T-bone car accident in Rockaway Beach, contact a local attorney. They can guide you through the process and ensure you receive compensation for your injuries.
Situations That Lead to T-Bone Accidents
A side-impact accident occurs when one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. They often happen when one vehicle blows through a stop sign or runs a red light and then collides with a car moving through the intersection. They also can occur when a driver fails to yield while turning left.
Any situation where a driver pulls into traffic could lead to a side-impact collision. Cars pulling out of driveways or parking spaces are sometimes hit in the side by oncoming traffic.
Anyone involved in a side impact collision should immediately call emergency services. Cars involved in these types of accidents are often not drivable and will need to be towed away. The police can manage the scene, and the accident report can provide important evidence supporting a claim for compensation. Most importantly, Rockaway Beach side impact accidents often cause serious injuries, and getting immediate medical help is critical.
Typical Injuries in Side-Impact Crashes
Multiple factors influence the consequences an occupant will suffer when they are involved in a T-bone accident. The speed of the oncoming vehicle, the relative size and weight of the two vehicles, and the occupant’s position at the moment of impact all affect the injuries they might sustain.
Because side panels offer relatively little protection, injuries are often significant. People in Rockaway Beach involved in side-impact crashes might experience:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Fractures
- Facial injuries, including disfiguring cuts, eye injuries, and lost teeth
- Crushing injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries
In addition, car accidents can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other severe psychological consequences.
New York’s no-fault system for car accidents requires every driver to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP will cover medical costs and reimburse 80 percent of lost earnings while an injured person cannot work up to a maximum of $2,000 per month for up to three years. PIP is inadequate to cover the losses of a person with serious injuries. Someone with serious injuries should consult an attorney to explore possible legal action.
Bringing a Legal Claim
When an injured person’s PIP does not cover their losses, they can make a claim against the other driver’s bodily injury coverage. However, that, too, is often insufficient in cases of severe injury.
Someone injured in a car accident can seek compensation from the other driver in court in some circumstances. New York Insurance Law § 5102(d) allows people to go to court seeking compensation if they have a serious injury, which the law defines as a:
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Injury causing permanent disfigurement
- Dismemberment
- Permanent loss of a body part
- Permanent loss or limited functioning of a body part, organ, or system
Temporary injuries count as serious injuries if they prevent a person from engaging in their usual activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the crash.
When a Rockaway Beach attorney brings a lawsuit after a T-bone car accident, they seek full reimbursement for all the losses the person suffered. In addition, the lawsuit can claim compensation for the injured person’s pain and suffering.
Work With a Rockaway Beach Attorney After a T-Bone Accident
Injuries suffered in a T-bone accident can cause pain and limit activities for months or years after the incident. Sometimes, the injuries are permanent. Contact a local accident lawyer after side-impact/T-bone car accidents in Rockaway Beach. The state’s no-fault car accident claim procedures are complex, and you will need a skilled professional to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
