T-Bone Accident Lawyer

Though not as common as rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents can cause serious injuries and property damage. When a T-bone accident involves a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle, the results can simply be devastating. A heavy truck hitting the side of a passenger vehicle can completely destroy the second vehicle, and can leave the driver with life-altering (and sometimes fatal) injuries.

This is because some commercial vehicles, especially 18-wheelers, weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When this massive machine strikes a passenger vehicle that weighs around 3,000 pounds on average, the commercial vehicle can absolutely destroy the smaller car. That’s never good news for the passengers in the smaller vehicle.

If you’ve been injured in a T-bone crash with a commercial vehicle, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, we have helped truck accident victims throughout the Southeast for over 26 years. We know what it takes to make sure you get the money you deserve for your losses.

Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a truck accident lawyer by calling 800-559-5741 or contacting us online today.

What Is a T-Bone Accident?

T-bone crashes occur when the front of a vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents most often occur at intersections when a driver fails to obey a traffic control device. For example, a truck may run a red light and hit a car that’s lawfully crossing the intersection. Or, they may not wait their turn at a stop sign. In some cases, a truck may turn at an intersection without checking for oncoming traffic, or they may change lanes incorrectly.

However, there are some cases where a passenger vehicle may T-bone a commercial vehicle. This type of T-bone crash can be extremely dangerous. At higher speeds, a passenger vehicle could partially or completely go under the side of a trailer. Doing so can lead to severe injuries, especially if the car is smaller and the roof is crushed or otherwise destroyed.

Figuring out who is at fault for the T-bone accident can be a bit tricky. It often comes down to who has the right of way. This includes who has a green light, who has to yield, or who makes it to the all-way stop first. For example, let’s say you’re coming up to an intersection, and you have a green light. Oncoming traffic is also green, and they also have a flashing yellow left-turn arrow.

A truck driver is in the turning lane, and they don’t see you approaching the intersection. So they make their left turn, and you don’t have time to stop before colliding with the trailer in the middle of the intersection. Because you had the right of way, the truck driver would likely be held at fault (though if you were speeding, you may be held partially responsible for the wreck as well).

Proving Negligence After a T-Bone Crash

In order to seek compensation, you have to prove the commercial vehicle driver was acting negligently. Negligence occurs when a person acts in a way that a reasonable person wouldn’t, and causes an injury.

This may seem simple, but you and your attorney must prove four elements in order to show negligence. These include:

Duty of care: The driver has a duty of care to drive safely and follow laws and regulations, trucking companies have a duty to hire qualified drivers, and involved parties have a duty to properly maintain the vehicles
Breach of duty of care: If the driver, trucking company or other party doesn’t follow the rules and regulations set forth, they are said to have breached their duty of care
Direct causation: You must be able to prove that any injuries and other damages you suffered were directly caused by the T-bone accident
Real damages: Finally, you must prove that you suffered real damages as a result of the wreck, such as medical bills or property damage

Getting the Compensation You Deserve After a T-Bone Crash

After you’ve been in a T-bone wreck with a commercial vehicle, you may receive some sort of settlement offer from the insurance company. The offer may be much lower than what you actually deserve, and might be accompanied by a letter stating this is the best offer you’ll get for any number of reasons. Don’t talk to the insurance company before speaking to an experienced injury lawyer!

The insurance company is not your friend! They are in the business of making money.

The insurance company will do everything they can to not give you the money you deserve after the wreck. That’s why they will usually send a low offer, knowing that you may be strapped for cash thanks to medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. And once you accept their settlement offer, you forfeit your right to seek greater compensation.

Whether you receive a settlement offer or not after the T-bone wreck with a commercial vehicle, it’s important to speak to an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, we have successfully represented victims of truck crashes for over 26 years. We know the tricks that insurance companies use to make sure they don’t pay you as much as you deserve.

They may try to say you were to blame for the accident, or that your losses weren’t as severe as you claimed. They may also try to pass the blame off to another party, such as the driver or the mechanic who is responsible for the maintenance (and who isn’t their client). We know these tricks because partner Arlene Auger worked for insurance companies before representing injury victims.

If you have been injured in a T-bone crash in the Carolinas, we’re here to help you. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a truck accident lawyer by calling 800-559-5741 or contacting us online today.