Why Are T-Bone Accidents So Dangerous?
It is estimated that these types of accidents kill up to 10,000 Americans every year, and this is primarily due to the location of the impact. If you’re rear-ended, you will have several feet of the car remaining between you and the other driver, including the rear seats and trunk. In a T-bone accident, however, you have nothing but the door and window to protect you. This aspect results in a much higher fatality rate and an increased risk of serious injuries which require lifelong treatment.
Common Mistakes
There are two common mistakes which drivers in this situation tend to make. The first is to decide with absolute certainty that they are the ones at fault and the reason for the crash. In these circumstances, the other party will tend to agree and convincingly blame the first driver. This Leads to them accepting fault, even when the actions of the other party may have contributed directly to the crash.
The second common mistake is to be so absolutely convinced that the other motorist is at fault that there is no need for a T-bone car accident lawyer to represent them –the case seems black and white. In truth, proving liability in an accident like this is difficult, and it can require the experienced eye of an attorney to help you get the evidence you need.
T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer: How to Prove Fault
There are several techniques and tricks which our team can use to help you prove that the other driver was to blame for the crash:
• Time of the accident
By establishing the time of the accident, you may be able to use this to compare the time of traffic light programming to help establish whether the other driver had the right of way when the incident occurred.
• Vehicle maintenance
If the accident occurred as a result of the other vehicle not being maintained properly, we can determine whether the driver was aware of this fault through proper inspection and correct maintenance.
• Distractions
It may be that the other driver was distracted by a cell phone or tablet immediately before the accident. It is possible to access cell phone records to determine whether or not the phone was used before the crash, and whether this may have contributed. Details such as the time of the last text message or phone call can be very useful in proving that it is a distracted drivers accident and that this caused the crash. If you or a loved one were in an accident, our qualified T-bone car accident lawyers can help. Reach out to our Brain Injury Law of Seattle office today to get started.
