Car accidents are terrifying. Imagine driving in peace and getting hit by another car from the side, right where you or a passenger is sitting. Just the thought of it can be daunting. T-bone accidents or broadside accidents happen when one vehicle collides with another from the side.
These accidents have a direct impact on the passenger or driver due to close proximity and can lead to severe injuries or even wrongful death in some cases. If you or a loved one has been in a T-bone collision in Colorado, you must be wondering whether you can sue for it or not.
An accident victim can file a personal injury claim against a negligent driver after a T-bone accident. Let’s explore the process and the available options in detail below.
T-bone accidents are most common at intersections and almost always, how to determine fault for such a crash. Here are some common reasons due to which two vehicles can get into a T-bone collision in Colorado:
No matter the cause of the auto accident. It can cause severe injuries that can take a long time to recovery. The chances of fatal injuries increase when both vehicles crash into each other at high speeds. Here are some injuries caused by a T-bone automobile accident:
Add to this, the psychological effects of a side-impact collision on the victim that can affect their quality of life temporarily or permanently.
In addition to all the mental and bodily injuries, a lot of monetary losses can also be sustained during these accidents. A victim can face lost wages and earning capacity, future care costs, future income loss, property damage, and rising medical costs.
T-bone collisions are more dangerous than other types of accidents because in most cases, a vehicle is hit by another and then it rolls over for a second collision and disrupts the flow of traffic. The receiving vehicle is pushed sideways and can crash into an object on the side of the road or into oncoming traffic.
The injuries we mentioned above have been sustained at a higher intensity because the only thing separating the victim from the other car is a door, which isn’t enough. An experienced injury law firm will be able to help you get a fair settlement for this lethal kind of accident.
A T-bone accident almost always happens at an intersection or on traffic signals. The first step in this situation is to remove your vehicle to safety because you are the risk of getting hit by oncoming vehicles. Here are some other steps you can take to ensure safety and establish legal liability on part of the careless driver:
Make sure you talk to the other driver and take their contact information immediately. Note down their name, address, insurance company number, license plate number, and driver’s license number.
Document all evidence with your phone. Take pictures of both the vehicles and your injuries.
If you see any witnesses around at the accident scene. Take their information and ask them if they would be willing to share a video testimony or a statement regarding what they just saw.
Call 911 for emergency medical care and law enforcement assistance immediately. Have a doctor look at your injuries and document them for legal purposes. Get the reasonable care you need to recover. You need to also request the responding police officer to compile an official report of the accident.
We would never recommend you to talk to an insurance agent without a lawyer present. Insurance companies are always looking for ways to avoid paying compensation amounts for your personal injury. You might end up saying something that will hurt your case if you talk to them.
Hire a personal injury lawyer immediately.. The state of Colorado has a three-year statute of limitation on filing a personal injury claim as a result of a traffic accident. You need to hire a lawyer timely so they have enough time to prepare a robust claim in your favor and you can get a fair personal injury settlement for your losses.
Colorado is an at-fault state. That simply means that if you can prove that the other driver was responsible for the side-impact crash, you can sue them for the accident and claim compensation for your losses from them. It is important that you can clearly prove negligence on their part to establish liability.
While most cases are clear cut and fault is easily established, there are cases where determining liability is a little trickier. Who had the right of way? Were both drivers negligent? Was the local body responsible for the traffic signals at fault for not maintaining them? Did each driver respond to the situation in an appropriate manner? Did each driver do everything in their power to avoid the collision? These factors have an impact on determining liability for the accident.
This is why hiring a personal injury attorney is so crucial. They will work with you and go through all the evidence and scenarios to determine who was at fault and then file a personal injury claim on your behalf. They can use the following kind of information in the accident reconstruction phase to prove negligence:
By law, Colorado requires all motorists to have minimum auto insurance coverage. This typically requires a driver to hold a liability insurance policy for a minimum of $50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person.
The law also requires the motorists to have $50,000 coverage for total costs incurred in an accident and $50,000 coverage for property damage. When the at-fault driver is an uninsured motorist, the victim may have to pay for the damage through their own liability insurance coverage, which typically only covers a portion or half of the costs.
What happens if a driver doesn’t have injury liability insurance? According to the Insurance Information Institute, almost 16.2% of drivers in Colorado don’t have motorist insurance. While the victim can recover some percentage of their losses through their own auto insurance policies, some costs cannot be recovered with the insurance claim payout. In this case, the Colorado law allows the victim to file a compensation claim against the negligent driver in court and get financial compensation for their losses.
There is no doubt that a T-bone collision is probably the worst kind of accident out there due to caused by driver error. The victims sustain numerous damages including accident injuries, emotional distress and depression, property damage, loss of current and future income. Some accidents are so severe, they can lead to paralysis or even wrongful death.. Such victims not only suffer from the pain of the physical injuries, but they also have to suffer through the reality of not being able to support their family anymore.
Colorado allows these victims to sue the distracted driver for his negligence and recover all kinds of damages including economic and non-economic damages as a result of the broadside accident either through a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit in case of a death.
You can not only recover all your medical treatment costs, physical therapy costs, and property damage repair costs, you can also recover compensation for pain, mental suffering, and the income you lost or are going to lose as a result of not being able to work like you used to before the accident took place.
Accident attorneys will help you determine the extent of your losses and develop a strong claim on your behalf. Their sole purpose is to go through the legal process and negotiate with the insurance companies to get the personal injury settlement you deserve.
The Firouzbakht Legal firm has experience in handling T-bone accident claims and personal injury lawsuits associated with them. We understand that accidents can leave a devastating effect on the lives of the victim and that they need rest to recover from the damages and the injuries. We also understand that accident settlements can help the victim pay for their medical care and other damages. Oftentimes, their health insurance may not cover their medical expenses fully and the compensation amount can help them survive financially.
Now is not the time for the victim to run after collecting evidence and negotiating their compensation insurance companies. This is why we offer our legal services on a contingent basis. We only take your money when we win the case for you. Our accident lawyers are the best at getting settlements for accidents in Colorado.
Our experienced personal injury lawyer will assess your case and help you develop a robust claim for fair compensation against the negligent driver. They will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf and ensure a fair settlement.
Have you been in a T-bone accident? Call us for help now.
