T-bone accidents, also known as broadside collisions or side impacts are some of the most devastating car accidents. Despite recent advancements in automobile safety, the side of a car is still extremely vulnerable to severe damage. The NHTSA requires side impact testing of all cars, but his does not mean that any car is able to safely protect a driver or passenger of a car that has been broadsided. The doorframe and side airbag system can only offer a certain degree of protection, which is much lower than the front or rear of the car. For this reason, T-bone accidents can leave victims with permanent disabling injuries such as broken bones, concussions and severe sprains. If you or a family member has been injured in a T-bone car accident anywhere in Maryland contact injury lawyer Benjamin Herbst anytime for a free consultation. Benjamin is available 7 days a week to meet at his downtown office in Baltimore or at a variety of locations throughout the state including Annapolis, Salisbury, Rockville and Hagerstown. He accepts cases in all jurisdictions in the state, and has extensive experience representing clients in the circuit and district courts of Maryland.
In 2018 there were close to 35,000 injury accidents in Maryland and over 50,000 total injuries from these accidents. In the same year there were 513 fatal crashes. Anywhere between 20 and 25 percent of all car accidents are T-bone or broadside accidents, which means over 10,000 people are injured each year in a T-bone accident. The injuries commonly occur due to the force of the oncoming vehicle, which is why fractured hips, femurs and shoulders can be common. In addition, high-speed T-bone accidents often cause vehicles to move into stationary objects such as trees and utility poles. In the worst cases a broadside accident can push one or more vehicles into oncoming traffic and actually cause multiple collisions from different directions. Side impact accidents at high speeds can also cause the hit vehicle to rollover, which introduces a whole additional set of potential injuries. Rollovers are the common result of T-bone accidents involving SUVs and trucks, which have a higher center of gravity than a standard car.
Side impact accidents often occur at intersections or parking lots where there is no divider between oncoming lanes of traffic. Vehicles making an abrupt left turn without properly looking are a major cause of T-bone accidents, as are vehicles making turns on red lights when the oncoming traffic has the right of way. Maryland definitely has its share of winding roads where site lines are limited, and these roads can be the location of some of the most severe T-bone accidents. If you are injured in a T-bone accident seek immediate medical attention and make sure all parties have been treated. It is then important to contact a lawyer to make sure your rights are protected prior to giving any statements. Insurance companies know how to take advantage of unrepresented accident victims, and they will often request statements that may damage a victim’s ability to recover in the future. Try to take pictures of the accident scene and request that the officer create and accident report, as this may help the case down the road.
If you or a family member is one of the injured then you deserve to be compensated by the person that caused your pain and suffering. Benjamin does whatever it takes to make sure the negligent party pays the maximum amount to his clients in order to pay for bills, compensate for lost wages and for past and future pain. He will never settle for a low-ball offer that insurance companies typically make to accident victims in the beginning of a case. Call Benjamin at 410-207-2598 for a free no obligation consultation and learn how you can recover the money that will help you get your life back on track.