Side-impact / T-bone car accidents in Midland, TX occur most often at intersections, and as traffic increases in our growing industrial hub, these crashes have become increasingly common. This kind of car accident leaves motorists especially vulnerable to serious injuries. If another driver causes a T-bone accident that injures you, contact an experienced car accident attorney at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris for the help you need.
What Are T-Bone Accidents?
T-bone accidents, or side-impact accidents, involve one motorist driving directly into the side of another driver’s car, forming a T-shape in the process These crashes cause a sudden jolt to the side, and they often result in significant losses.
T-Bone Accidents and Intersections
These crashes most often happen at busy intersections where traffic moves in all directions. Drivers in Midland greatly increase the risk of broadside automobile collisions when they enter the intersection without carefully assessing the situation.
The Duty of Care Owed
A green light does not always make it safe to proceed. Every motorist owes a duty of care to others on the road, which includes obeying traffic lights and signs, watching for oncoming traffic at intersections, and proceeding only when it is safe. Distracted, drunk, and speeding drivers often rush into intersections when they should not and cause T-bone crashes as a result.
Additional Spots Where Motorists Enter Traffic
T-bone accidents also happen where drivers enter the flow of traffic. Common examples include driveways, U-turn areas, and exits from parking lots and ramps.
Vehicles already on the roadway generally have the right-of-way unless an official sign states otherwise, so entering drivers must wait for a safe opening.
The Immense Risk Involved
Side impacts involve enhanced risks. The front hood and rear trunk create crumple zones that help absorb energy in many collisions, and forward airbags add protection. By contrast, the sides of a vehicle offer far less room to absorb force, so side impacts often transmit more energy to occupants.
Most makes and models of cars do not offer side airbags, which increases risks in T-bone crashes. Manufacturers now design side-curtain airbags to offer more protection in T-bone accidents and rollovers.
The Dangerous Injuries Associated With T-Bone Accidents
Victims of T-bone accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries, including:
- Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries
- Complicated fractures, especially in the neck, shoulder, and arm regions
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Limb loss
- Nerve damage
Prompt evaluation and targeted treatment can reduce long-term harm after T-bone vehicle crashes in Midland.
Contact a Midland, TX Side-Impact Lawyer Today for Help With Your Claim
Side-impact / T-Bone car accidents in Midland leave car occupants extremely vulnerable to serious injuries. If you face this difficult situation, the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris have earned an impressive reputation for fierce advocacy on behalf of our clients, and we are here for you too. Contact us online or call to learn how we can help.
