T-Bone Car Accident Attorney in South Bend, Indiana

If you’ve been injured in a T-bone car accident in South Bend, Indiana, you need an experienced and dedicated attorney who understands the challenges of your case. 

At Jay Lauer, Attorney at Law, I'm dedicated to helping victims of T-bone collisions strive to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

As a skilled South Bend car accident attorney, I'm committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process, making sure your rights are protected to the best of my ability. Contact me today for a free consultation.

How Do T-Bone Accidents Happen?

A T-bone accident involves a side-impact crash, where the front end of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, often at an intersection. The term "T-bone" comes from the shape that the two vehicles form after impact, with one vehicle resembling the vertical line of the "T" and the other vehicle forming the horizontal line. 

These accidents are particularly dangerous because the sides of vehicles generally offer less protection than the front and rear, which are often equipped with more robust safety features such as crumple zones, airbags, and reinforced bumpers.

If you've been involved in a T-bone accident, it may be in your best interest to speak to a South Bend T-bone car accident attorney, especially if you were significantly injured due to another driver's negligence.

What Causes T-Bone Accidents in Indiana?

T-bone accidents in Indiana typically occur at intersections for many potential reasons. Some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents include:

• Failure to yield the right of way: The most common cause of T-bone accidents is a driver’s failure to yield the right of way at an intersection. This occurs when one vehicle enters an intersection without stopping or yielding to the vehicle already in the intersection. For example, a driver may run a red light or fail to stop at a stop sign, directly causing a collision with a vehicle that has the right of way.

• Running a red light or stop sign: One of the most frequent causes of T-bone accidents is running a red light or a stop sign. This happens when a driver disregards traffic signals or stop signs and enters an intersection without stopping. Drivers who speed up to beat a red light or don’t properly assess the traffic at a stop sign may end up colliding with another vehicle traveling through the intersection.

• Distracted driving: Distracted driving, such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving, is a major contributor to T-bone accidents. When drivers are distracted, they're less likely to notice red lights, stop signs, or other vehicles in the intersection, which increases the risk of a side-impact crash.

• Driving under the influence (DUI): Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is another leading cause of T-bone accidents in Indiana. Alcohol or drugs impair a driver’s ability to make sound judgments, control their vehicle, and react quickly to changing road conditions. As a result, drunk drivers are more likely to run red lights, disregard stop signs, and fail to yield the right of way, all of which can lead to a T-bone crash.

• Speeding: Speeding is another factor that can contribute to T-bone accidents. When drivers travel at excessive speeds, they have less time to react to unexpected changes in traffic conditions, such as another driver running a red light or stopping abruptly. Speeding also makes it harder for drivers to stop quickly if another vehicle is entering the intersection.

• Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, fog, snow, or ice, can make driving more hazardous. Reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces can make it difficult for drivers to stop in time or assess the situation at an intersection. In these conditions, a driver may fail to see a traffic signal or another vehicle, leading to a T-bone accident.

• Inadequate signage or road markings: Poorly marked intersections or missing traffic signals can contribute to T-bone accidents in Indiana. If signs or signals aren’t clearly visible or are incorrectly placed, drivers may not know who has the right of way or may misinterpret their obligation at an intersection. In some cases, unclear road markings can also lead to drivers making incorrect turns or running red lights.

If another driver's negligence or recklessness on the road leads to your T-bone accident, don't hesitate to reach out to South Bend T-bone car accident attorney Jay Lauer. I can help you fight for your compensation, especially when you're suffering from the aftermath of your T-bone accident.

Consequences of T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents are dangerous because of the vulnerability of the side of the vehicle. While the consequences of these accidents vary depending on factors such as speed, vehicle type, and the presence of safety features, they often result in severe injuries and fatalities.

Some of the most common outcomes of T-bone accidents include:

• Injuries to drivers and passengers: Due to the lack of protection on the sides of most vehicles, individuals involved in T-bone accidents are at high risk for serious injuries. Common injuries from T-bone accidents include:

  • Whiplash: Sudden impact causes the neck and head to jerk, often resulting in soft tissue damage.

  • Broken bones: Collisions can lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): The force of the crash can cause brain injuries, which can range from mild concussions to life-threatening conditions.

  • Internal injuries: T-bone accidents can result in damage to internal organs, such as the spleen, liver, or lungs, which may require surgery or extended medical treatment.

  • Spinal cord injuries: The impact of a T-bone crash may cause severe damage to the spine, potentially leading to paralysis.

• Fatalities: According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), side-impact collisions account for a significant percentage of all fatal crashes in the United States. The side of a vehicle provides less protection than the front and rear, and the impact of a T-bone accident can easily lead to fatal injuries. In this event, it may be worth bringing your case to a South Bend T-bone car accident attorney to determine if you have a wrongful death case.

• Property damage: Repair costs can be high, especially if the vehicle sustains damage to critical components such as the engine or suspension. In some cases, vehicles involved in a T-bone crash may be deemed total losses due to the extent of the damage.

• Emotional and psychological impact: Beyond the physical injuries and property damage, individuals involved in T-bone accidents may experience long-term emotional and psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The trauma of being involved in a serious crash can linger long after physical injuries have healed.

Because of the variety of damages that may result from this type of accident, it's recommended to speak to an experienced South Bend T-bone car accident attorney who has your best interests at heart. At Jay Lauer, Attorney at Law, I'll make every effort to fight for your compensation.

Legal Rights and Compensation After a T-Bone Accident

In Indiana, those injured in T-bone accidents have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and damages. This can include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. 

Depending on the circumstances, the injured party may file a claim with their own insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver with a South Bend T-bone car accident attorney.

• Insurance claims: Indiana follows a comparative fault rule when it comes to determining fault in car accidents. This means that if both drivers share responsibility for the accident, the compensation awarded will be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. In many cases, T-bone accident victims will file claims with their own insurance companies, especially if they have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

• Personal injury lawsuits: If an accident is caused by another driver’s negligence, the injured party may have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit. In these cases, it's important to prove that the other driver was at fault and that their actions directly caused the accident and resulting injuries.

• Statute of limitations: According to Indiana Code 34-11-2-4, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means that accident victims have two years to file a lawsuit before they lose the right to pursue legal action.

Those who are involved in T-bone accidents should be aware of their legal rights and options for seeking compensation for injuries and damages. Don't hesitate to reach out to me, Attorney Jay Lauer, to get started with your case.