T-bone accidents are considered one of the most dangerous traffic collisions a person can experience. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “side impacts accounted for 24% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths” in 2017. There is also another factor to consider: When a vehicle is struck by one car, it can easily be propelled into oncoming traffic to be hit by other cars.

Because most motor vehicles are designed to withstand front- and rear-end collisions, a driver or passenger can suffer severe and even catastrophic injuries in a side-impact crash. For instance, many older cars lack side airbags or “crush protection” options to protect vehicle occupants during an accident. Unfortunately, even the latest vehicle models lack the structural integrity and side-impact intrusion protections that could prevent injuries and fatalities. Quite frankly, there isn’t enough “vehicle” to protect an occupant from the brunt of a side collision, and crumpled doors and broken windows just lead to additional injuries.

A careless driver is usually the at-fault party when it comes to T-bone accidents. As a rule, all motorists owe a duty of care to any other parties sharing the road. This policy isn’t limited to other drivers, but also pedestrians, bikers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Any driver who fails to obey state and federal traffic laws can be held legally and financially accountable for the consequences of their actions.

A T-bone accident can occur if a negligent driver engages in any of the following behaviors:

To secure monetary damages, your legal team needs to establish 4 critical facts: the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care, the at-fault driver behaved negligently and breached this duty of care, the at-fault driver’s act of negligence caused the accident, and the accident, in turn, is responsible for your physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses.

Because Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence rule” when it comes to car accident cases, your damages can be reduced or eliminated if the court determines that you share some degree of fault for the collision. To save money, the defendant’s insurer may try to claim that you were partly responsible for your injuries. For this reason and more, it’s critical that you retain legal representation as soon as possible.

Fortunately, the Houston car accident lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs have a comprehensive understanding of this challenging legal process and can help you negotiate a beneficial settlement that reflects your legal objectives and financial needs. Our attorneys can investigate your case, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with specialists to develop an exhaustive case strategy that holds any at-fault parties accountable for your injuries and financial losses.

Contact the Houston car accident lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs if you require legal representation after a T-bone collision. As a personal injury law firm, we know that a serious car crash can lead to life-changing injuries that impact your personal life, career options, and general financial standing. With our assistance, you can recover compensatory damages that enable your physical recovery and restore your standard of living.