Trenton T-Bone Accident Lawyers

Seek the Compensation You Deserve for Injuries Suffered in a T-Bone Accident with Help from our Attorneys in Mercer County NJ

Car accidents can be terrifying.  Sometimes it doesn’t matter how careful a driver you are; someone else’s mistake can cost you dearly.  Almost 20% of all T-Bone car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, result in fatalities.  In other instances, their causes and consequences vary. Still, one thing is sure if you or someone you know was the victim of a T-bone accident. Hiring a skilled New Jersey injury lawyer will provide the representation you need and assure that your rights will be protected when seeking full compensation for your property damage, physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical expenses, and other economic and non-economic losses caused by someone else’s negligence.

Our talented trial attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson will explore your T-Bone accident in detail, collecting evidence and conducting interviews to build your case. We will use all of our resources to prove the fault of the other driver and, by assessing the damages you have suffered, calculate and maximize the settlement or damages award you deserve. Our team of lawyers will always keep you informed and answer all of your questions, no matter how small.  Getting fair compensation doesn’t always mean going to court.  Sometimes, it can be done when negotiating with the insurance company; but if they refuse to give you what you are entitled to, our lawyers will fight for justice in court.

If you have been involved in a T-bone accident in Trenton, Windsor, Princeton, Hamilton, Lawrence, Mercer County and throughout New Jersey, contact our accident injury lawyers at Cohen & Riechelson with over 50 years of experience to assist with your claim. Call (609) 528-2596 today for a free consultation.

What Happens in a T-Bone Accident?

When a vehicle is struck on either the driver’s or passenger’s side by the front of another car, creating a perpendicular T-shape, it is referred to as a T-bone accident. 

Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents in New Jersey

There are many possible causes for these kinds of accidents. The most common is when one car fails to yield, such as running a stop sign, a red light, or making a poorly calculated left turn across oncoming traffic.  Of course, all the causes you will find in other accidents are possible.  Typically, T-bone accidents involve careless driving behavior on the part of one driver. Drowsy driving, driving under the influence, and driving impaired due to side effects from medication are possible causes. 

Negligence such as texting, looking at your phone to check the GPS, or watching videos or other programs can cause distractions that lead to an accident. Eating, drinking, or smoking are dangerous and can take your attention off the road. 

Severe weather conditions can affect visibility or cause a vehicle to go too fast to lose control.  Potholes, debris, and animals (dogs, deer, opossum) can cause a driver to swerve out of control and T-Bone another car. Failing brakes or other mechanical problems can create hazardous conditions when a driver needs to stop.  Also, broken or malfunctioning traffic lights can confuse, augmenting the possibility of an accident.

Frequent Injuries Resulting from T-Bone Accidents

A T-Bone accident is unique because it leaves either the driver or the passenger who receives side contact highly exposed. The car that is struck or is striking from the front of its vehicle has the benefit of protective safety measures such as airbags and crumple-resistant construction.  Some cars also have side airbags, but their injuries can still be severe.

Specific injuries in a T-Bone accident are a concussion caused by blunt force trauma, a TBI (traumatic brain injury), chemical burns from the airbag, and lacerations to the face or body.  Bone fractures such as legs, arms, ribs, or hips are not uncommon.  Spinal injuries which lead to severe nerve damage or paralysis are also consequences of a T-Bone accident. Severe limb injuries such as amputation or crush trauma could result in permanent damage. 

Organ damage such as a ruptured spleen, lacerated liver, crushed kidneys, hematomas, and internal bleeding are possible and all of which can prove fatal. Mental illness due to trauma from the crash can also be debilitating.

Who is at Fault for a T-Bone Accident in New Jersey?

There isn’t a hard and fast rule about who is at fault in these situations.  For example, if someone is pulling out of a parking space and disregards the vehicle passing the area or if a vehicle in a two-lane left turn cuts off the car in the inside lane, the accident is the fault of the driver who received the impact.  When a driver miscalculates the distance between themselves and oncoming traffic, they are likely to receive a side impact from the vehicle they failed to yield. Someone who runs a traffic light or stop sign is at fault if there is an accident. 

Let’s look at some examples:

• Car X is speeding and runs through a red light, striking Car Y, who had the right of way. Car X is obviously at fault for having run the red light.
• Car Y doesn’t stop at a stop sign of a busy intersection and broadsides Car X, who has the right of way.  Car Y is at fault.
• The driver of Car X is backing out of his driveway, distracted by a text message he is reading.  The driver of Car Y just spilled a hot beverage onto his leg and temporarily loses control of his car, hitting the side of Car X.  The fault here is shared because neither driver gave the necessary attention to what was happening at the time.

Proving Fault and Liability if You Have been Involved in a T-Bone Accident

It depends on the circumstances revolving around the accident. If the other driver was at fault or you both were partially at fault, that will affect the damages you receive. Blaming the driver who made the impact is not the only way to find fault. Determining and proving fault can be challenging, so contacting a personal injury lawyer right away is crucial. You want legal professionals on your side who see these types of cases every day, as they are experts in interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and establishing the cause(s) of the accident. Dash cams are a helpful tool when determining fault, as are many other documents and forms of evidence.

Bottom line, you want as much evidence as possible to prove your claim and recover the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, and witnesses’ memories can fade with the passing of time. The sooner your case is started, the more evidence there will be, and that puts you in a better position to receive the money you deserve.

Recovering Compensation if You Have been Injured in a T-Bone Collision in NJ

New Jersey is a no-fault state, so you can count on your medical expenses being paid and sue for damages that were not covered by insurance. Coverage is minimal, so in all likelihood, you will be left holding the bag for several thousand dollars in medical bills and physical therapy. State insurance does not include compensation for pain and suffering, so you can file a personal injury lawsuit for those damages, as well as others like loss of income, necessary rehabilitation, accommodations like a wheelchair ramp in your home, and many others, even if your basic costs are covered by the auto insurance company.

Contact our Hamilton, New Jersey T-Bone Accident Attorneys for Assistance Today

If you or someone you know has been involved in a T-bone accident or any other type of car accident, the law firm of Cohen & Riechelson is prepared to examine the details of your case and work tirelessly for the compensation you are entitled to.  Our 50-plus years of experience and extensive knowledge of personal injury law practice are the perfect match to resolve your case in the best possible way.

Please call our offices at (609) 528-2596 for your free, confidential consultation. We are a phone call away to help with your T-Bone Accident Injury Claim in South Brunswick, Ewing, Hopewell, Robbinsville, Millbrook, Edison, Metuchen, and towns across Mercer County, Middlesex County, and New Jersey. Remember, if you don’t receive a settlement, we don’t receive a payment from you either. We work your case for free and you pay nothing unless we win.