Side-Impact/T-Bone Car Accidents in Austin
While any kind of collision between two moving vehicles can have serious repercussions, modern commuter cars are designed with safety features like airbags and seatbelts that mitigate the force of impact at the front and rear of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the doors and side paneling of modern cars are not as resistant to external impacts, which means collisions with these areas of the vehicle can have especially devastating consequences.
Side-impact/T-bone car accidents in Austin can leave you with severe injuries, extensive property damage, and a suite of other losses. Therefore, assistance from a capable car accident attorney can be vital to overcoming your setbacks and effectively demanding compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Common Injuries and Losses from Side-Impact Car Crashes
While some cars and trucks have side airbags in addition to dashboard and steering wheel airbags, there is still relatively little separating a car’s occupants from the forces imparted by a side-impact collision. This means that it is more likely for someone involved in a T-bone car wreck in Austin to sustain direct trauma to their arms, torso, and legs, spine, and brain than in other collisions.
However, what determines the value of an ensuing civil claim is not how violent this wreck can be but rather the specific injuries the plaintiff suffered through that crash and the losses they can prove they have and will sustain. In a typical lawsuit or settlement demand based on a T-bone crash, it may be possible to incorporate seek compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Past and future medical bills
- Emotional trauma and psychological distress
- Lost work wages and/or working ability
- Lost enjoyment of life, including lost consortium
- Vehicle repair/replacement costs
A knowledgeable attorney can go into further detail about what losses a particular person could recover for during a private consultation.
Who is at Fault for a T-Bone Wreck in Austin?
Filing a claim for compensation after a side-impact car crash in Austin is only possible if the injured person can prove someone else was directly responsible for causing their injuries. This typically means proving that other person was “negligent” in some way. For example, if a driver broke a traffic law, was driving while distracted, or otherwise caused the collision by acting carelessly or recklessly, they can likely be held accountable for their actions.
Importantly, though, people who get hit and hurt in wrecks like this are not immune from being found partially liable for their own damages. For instance, if they committed a traffic violation which led to them being struck by someone else, they might face some blame for the accident. Additionally, any person who holds the majority of total fault for their own car crash is ineligible under Texas state law to file suit over that incident, and any lesser share of “comparative fault” held by an injured plaintiff could be held against them in court as a proportional reduction in their final damage award.
A tenacious lawyer can help with understanding the comparative negligence system and minimizing the impact it has on a plaintiff’s side-impact accident claim.
Talk to an Austin Attorney About Side-Impact/T-Bone Car Accidents
Getting T-boned, sideswiped, or hurt in any other way by another driver running into the side of your car can be a jarring and life-threatening experience. After getting involved in this sort of wreck, understanding and effectively enforcing your legal rights can be vital to covering your short-term expenses, protecting your future financial security, and caring for your wellbeing.
Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you get the compensation you need following side-impact/ T-bone car accidents in Austin. Call today to set up a meeting.
