A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact collision, occurs when one vehicle collides with the side of another at a perpendicular angle, forming a T-shape. These accidents could be catastrophic because the impact occurs on the side of the vehicle, often less reinforced than the front or back.
Causes of T-Bone Accidents
- Failing to Yield the Right of Way. When a driver fails to yield, they may pull out into the path of oncoming traffic, causing a collision. This can occur when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign or red light or when they pull out of a driveway or side street without checking for oncoming traffic.
- Distracted Driving. Distracted driving can take many forms, including texting while driving, eating or drinking behind the wheel, or even simply taking your eyes off the road to look at something else. When a driver is distracted, they might not see road signs or oncoming vehicles, leading to a collision.
- Excessive Speeding. When a driver travels too fast, they may not have enough time to react to a potential hazard, such as another vehicle entering their lane. This can lead to a T-bone accident.
- Driving While Drunk. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver’s judgment and reaction time, making it more likely that they will cause a collision.
Common Injuries in T-Bone Accidents
If involved in a T-bone accident in Bakersfield, you may sustain the following common injuries:
- Head and brain injuries. These types of injuries can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries and can have long-lasting effects on a person's cognitive abilities and quality of life.
- Neck and back injuries. Neck and back injuries could be mild strains to more serious ones, such as herniated discs or spinal fractures. Neck and back injuries can be particularly debilitating and require extensive medical treatment and physical therapy.
- Chest injuries. Chest injuries you could sustain in T-bone accidents include rib fractures or internal organ damage. These injuries can be serious and may require hospitalization and surgery.
- Broken bones. Broken bones, particularly in the arms and legs, are another common injury sustained in T-bone accidents. These types of injuries may require surgical intervention and a lengthy recovery period.
- Soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and abrasions, are also common in T-bone accidents. These injuries may not be as serious as others, but they can still cause pain and discomfort.
Damages You Could Recover In a T-Bone Accident
You are entitled to recover damages for your injuries and losses, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
In California, economic damages are compensation that can be awarded to T-bone accident victims for quantifiable losses in monetary terms. Economic damages are meant to compensate victims for out-of-pocket expenses and lost wages that they incurred as a result of the accident.
Here are some examples of economic damages that may be available to victims of T-bone accidents in California:
- Medical expenses. Medical expenses include the cost of hospitalization, surgery, medications, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages. Lost wages are damages that can include the wages a victim lost due to being unable to work because of their injuries.
- Property damage. Property damages would replace your vehicle if it were damaged in the accident.
- Future lost wages. These damages are awarded if you lose the ability to earn in the future due to your injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Under California law, non-economic damages are awarded to victims of T-bone accidents for losses that are not quantifiable in monetary terms. Non-economic damages compensate victims for intangible losses, for example, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Below are some examples of non-economic damages that could be available to victims of T-bone accidents in California:
- Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and discomfort you experienced due to the accident. You receive compensation for past and future physical pain and any limitations on the victim's ability to engage in activities they enjoyed before the accident.
- Emotional distress. Emotional distress damages are meant to compensate victims for the emotional suffering they experienced due to the accident. This can include compensation for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions that may have been caused by an accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. You receive these damages for the loss of enjoyment of life they experienced because of the T-bone accident. This can include compensation for the inability to participate in activities the victim enjoyed before the accident and any loss of quality of life.
- Loss of consortium. If your spouse is involved in a T-bone accident and sustains serious injuries, you are entitled to the loss of companionship and support you experience owing to the accident.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages punish the defendant for particularly harmful or reckless behavior. In a T-bone accident, punitive damages could be awarded if the court determines that the at-fault driver acted with a high degree of negligence or intentional wrongdoing that caused the accident.
For example, if the at-fault driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident or if they were texting while driving and caused the T-bone collision, the judge could award punitive damages to deter similar conduct in the future. Note that punitive damages are not always awarded in T-bone accident cases, and the damages, if awarded, can depend on the circumstances of the case. Contact a Bakersfield car accident lawyer to know the possible compensation the court could grant you.
It is important to note that the compensation you could recover depends on the specific circumstances of your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to recover and can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
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