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One of the worst types of vehicle accidents is T-bone, or broad-side, accidents. When the front end of one vehicle hits another vehicle on its side, the shape of the letter “T” is formed, thus the accident is called a T-bone accident.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), T-bone accidents accounted for 23 percent of  accident vehicle occupant deaths in 2020.

The reason these accidents are so serious, or even deadly, is partly because of the way vehicles are built. A vehicle’s sides are not designed to absorb impacts the way its front and back are.

Where Do T-Bone Accidents Most Commonly Occur?

Most T-bone accidents happen at intersections when vehicles run red lights or fail to yield at stop signs. Left-turn T-bone accidents are also common. Drivers misjudge traffic lights and turn left thinking there is a green light. On-coming vehicles will likely be driving at a higher speed and a catastrophic accident occurs, which can even involve multiple vehicles.

Who Is At-Fault in Florida T-Bone Accidents?

The fault in Florida T-bone accidents is determined by who had the right-of-way, not who T-boned whom. Both vehicles cannot have the right of way, only one had the right-of-way and the other vehicle violated that right of way. This is covered under Florida Statute 316.123 - Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection.

What Are The Most Common T-Bone Accident Injuries?

T-bone accident victims may suffer any number of blunt-force injuries. Some of the injuries may be head injuries, neck, back, and shoulder injuries, broken ribs and punctured lungs, hip and pelvic injuries, knee injuries, and lacerations.

• Head injuries occur when an accident victim’s head strikes a window, door, or other object. This may cause head trauma, such as concussions, brain hemorrhages, vision loss, and hearing damage.
• Neck, back, and shoulder injuries may include strains, fractures, dislocated bones, ligament tears, and rotator cuff injuries.
• Ribs protect the soft, fragile organs such as hearts and lungs. When ribs are broken, they are painful and can hurt with every breath. If ribs are badly broken, they can seriously damage internal organs, such as the lungs, according to WebMD.
• Broken hips and fractured pelvises are serious, and WebMD reports the most common treatment is surgery. To fully recover, accident victims need to seek immediate medical assistance. It can take several months to recuperate and many sessions of physical therapy.
• Knee injuries may be in the form of sprained ligaments, meniscus tears, and/or dislocated kneecaps. Knees are at high risk for injury in vehicle accidents because blunt force trauma can cause the knee to twist, tear, or slam against the steering wheel or dashboard.
• Lacerations occur when skin tissue or muscle is severed. This can happen when there is broken glass from an accident, when occupants are ejected from a vehicle and injured by hitting the road, and/or when a vehicle occupant encounters any sharp object. Lacerations may lead to disfigurement.

Contact Florida Car Accident Lawyer for Assistance

When you or a loved one is injured in a T-bone accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical assistance. Then contact Florida Car Accident Lawyer Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. for a consultation We are available to assist you 24/7 for any accident in the state of Florida. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you or your loved one. You may be entitled to economic and non-economic compensatory damages and in some cases, punitive damages. To discuss your potential case, please contact us at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com.