Broadside crashes, also known as T-bone accidents, are common in Homestead, Hollywood, and across South Florida. These accidents occur when the front end of one vehicle impacts with the side of another car or truck. These collisions tend to be interaction accidents, occurring when drivers fail to yield right-of-way or when someone runs a stop sign or red light.
Unfortunately, T-bone collisions often lead to severe injuries. Since there is little crumble zone and less space between passengers and the side of the car when compared with passengers and the rear or front of a vehicle, it is more likely that passengers will be directly impacted. Many cars have side-impact airbags to offer some protection, but at full speeds at an intersection a truck or car crashing into a driver side or passenger side can still cause devastation.
In cases where a car door folds in or crushes a passenger, passengers can get trapped in their vehicles, which can lead to even more devastating injuries. In cases where the force of impact pushes the impacted car forward, a T-bone crash can lead to a multiple-vehicle collision as a car or truck is pushed into oncoming traffic. With enough force, a car can also be pushed into a guardrail or other solid object or can even be pushed off the road into water or off the edge into a fall. Some of these accidents can cause a vehicle to go onto a sloping shoulder and into a rollover.
Injuries Common in T-bone Collisions
Injuries in T-bone crashes include:
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Internal injuries
- Head trauma
- Spinal injury
- Fatalities
- Facial injuries
- Abrasions
- Soft tissue injuries
Preventing T-bone Crashes
Many broadside collisions are preventable with these tips:
- Always obey right-of-way rules.
- Make sure you are visible. Make eye contact with other drivers, especially at four-way stops, to ensure they can see you.
- Don’t assume green lights make you safe. Always scan an intersection before moving forward, checking to see if anyone has decided to run a red light. While all drivers are required to stop at stop signs or red lights, not all do.
- Never drive distracted, drunk, drugged, sleepy, or sick. You are more likely to miss a red light or stop sign yourself if you’re nodding off at the wheel or for some reason cannot place your full focus on the road.
- Watch left turns. If you are turning left in front of another car or truck, make sure you can complete the turn safely before you proceed. Check for oncoming traffic first.
If you have been injured because another driver ran a red light or stop sign, made an illegal left turn, or otherwise drove unsafely, you may have a claim. Pursuing a legal claim can help you seek fair compensation for your lost time at work, injuries, and more. Even if you have good insurance, it costs nothing to get a free, no obligation by calling Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN). You can speak with a Homestead car accident attorney at our law firm to get the facts about your potential case.