During crash tests, manufacturers often develop vehicles to handle collisions on the front and rear of a car. However, most vehicles are not meant to handle the high-impact force of a side-impact collision, otherwise known as a T-bone accident. These crashes can cause the side or roof of a vehicle to collapse or, if one of the vehicles is lower than the other, result in an underside accident, which is often fatal.
These crashes become incredibly dangerous if a big-rig is involved. When a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle is T-boned by a large commercial truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds or more, it can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries for the passenger vehicle occupants. Sadly, with the oil and gas boom occurring in the Permian Basin, Texas residents are more likely than ever to suffer severe injuries in trucking accidents. When these accidents occur due to negligence or carelessness, you should not hesitate to contact the Longview truck accident attorneys at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP by (903) 230-5600.
How Do T-Bone Accidents Happen?
Intersections are the most common site of a T-bone accident involving large commercial trucks. These powerful vehicles can easily barrel through a stop sign or red light if the driver is distracted, impaired, or fatigued. Even if the other driver is practicing defensive driving techniques, such as pausing before accelerating at a green light or checking for speeding vehicles, they may still suffer a high-speed side-impact collision with a large truck.
Improper left-hand turns are another way T-bone accidents can occur. A driver turning left against oncoming traffic may violate the right-of-way of a driver traveling straight through an intersection. Tractor-trailers are particularly at risk for these collisions due to their weight and size, which require longer turning periods, slower acceleration out of turns, and more room to navigate.
This can be a major issue if the vehicle is improperly serviced. Trucking companies are responsible for performing regular inspections, maintenance, and repairs of their vehicles to keep them in safe operating condition. Improper maintenance may make it difficult for the driver to stop at an intersection or complete a left-hand turn, resulting in a side-impact collision.
Risk of Catastrophic Injuries
T-bone collisions result in painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal injuries. A passenger vehicle may collapse under the force of the big rig or occupants may strike the interior of their car, such as the steering column or car door. When accessing the risks of a T-bone accident, the common types of injuries that occur include:
- Crush Injuries: Because of the force involved in a T-bone crash, a passenger car door or roof may collapse, pinning an occupant to the seat or center console. This can result in head trauma, broken bones, nerve damage, and severe lacerations. In some cases, the trauma may be so severe a limb may be lost or need to be medically amputated.
- Damage to the Lower Body: While the legs and hips are largely secure in a vehicle, the hips and legs are at risk for crush damage during a T-bone crash. The surrounding structure of the car can crumple upon impact, resulting in broken limbs and fractured hips.
- Damage to the Upper Body: Even with seatbelts, the head, neck, and back are susceptible to injuries in a side-impact crash. In minor accidents, whiplash may occur, but in high-speed collisions victims can suffer damage to their vertebrae, head trauma, and even paralysis.
Depending on the severity of your accident, these injuries can have a lasting impact on your quality of life, resulting in lifestyle changes, chronic pain, a shift in your career, high medical bills, and disfigurement. If the truck driver or their parent company were negligent in any way, you may be able to pursue compensation for the accident.
Recovering After a Trucking Accident
How much you can recover will depend on the nature, severity, and permanence of your injuries and the financial losses you have suffered. Compensation may include, but is not limited to:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Sadly, insurance companies are not interested in paying out the maximum on each policy, even if you have suffered immensely from an accident. That is why you need to contact a Texas truck accident attorney at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP. We have the experience and know-how to properly negotiate proper and fair settlements on behalf of our clients and, if it comes to it, we are fully prepared to go to trial to advocate for your rights before a jury. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at (903) 230-5600 today.
