Auto accidents all have one thing in common: nobody enjoys them. Aside from that, there are so many variables that make each car accident unique – whether or not you’re insured, how fast you were traveling, and who is at fault can all drastically impact your auto accident experience and quickly turn it into a nightmare.
Two of the most common auto accidents, T-bones and rear-end accidents, couldn’t be more different from one another! If you’re involved in either of these accidents, it’s important to immediately contact an experienced auto accident attorney so they can help you navigate that process.
What is a T-Bone Accident?
When a vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, that is considered a “T-bone” because the two vehicles form the shape of a “T”. This type of accident is also commonly referred to as a broadside or side-impact collision.
T-bone accidents usually occur at intersections when one driver fails to obey a stop sign or signal. While the colloquial name of these accidents might not seem like a big deal, T- bones account for a significant proportion of fatal and severe injury accidents at intersections every year.
What Are the Most Common Injuries from Side Impact Collisions?
Side impact accidents can be so dangerous because they often seal doors on the impacted vehicle and require an extraction tool to free the passengers. The side impact airbags in cars help to cushion the blow, but the forces are often so great that airbags will not completely absorb the impact. According to a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, side-impact collisions can seriously injure children, especially when they are unrestrained.
When faced with a significant amount of force directed from the side, drivers and passengers can end up with serious injuries. Side impact accidents often result in traumatic injuries such as spinal cord or neck injuries, as well as major bone injuries like fractured ribs, broken pelvis, fractured legs and arms, and serious head trauma.
What is a Rear-End Accident?
A rear-end accident occurs when a moving or non-moving vehicle is hit from behind by another moving vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number one cause of rear end collisions is driver inattention or negligence.
One study showed that rear-end accidents make up about 29 percent of all accidents that end in serious injuries. The Insurance Information Institute also estimates that over 7 percent of all traffic-related deaths are caused by rear-end crashes. The reverse direction of force from a rear-end collision often causes painful back injuries and whiplash to drivers and passengers.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?
The number one contributor to rear-end accidents is vehicles traveling above the speed limit, which is part of what makes these accidents so common on roadways. Rear-end collisions are almost always caused by a driver going too fast for traffic conditions or following too closely behind another car.
More often than not, speeding is paired with distracted driving, which results in a rear-end accident. Texting, cell phone use, and other attention-grabbing factors distract the driver from the road and other vehicles on it. There are several circumstances that enable distracted driving, but talking or texting on an electronic device is by far the most common.
In the state of Florida, it is illegal to text while driving. When you choose to use your phone on the road, it may feel like you are only looking away for a split second, but studies have shown that even a few moments can make a huge impact. Drivers who are traveling at 55 miles per hour are capable of covering the entire length of a football field in five seconds. Just think of the impact a mere 5-second distraction can have on your safety and the safety of others around you!
Rear-end collisions often cause multi-car accidents where a vehicle hits the back of another vehicle and pushes it into the back of another vehicle, and so on. One small lapse in attention can dramatically impact numerous drivers.
What Are the Most Common Injuries from Rear-End Collisions?
When there is a rear-end auto accident, the most common injury for drivers and passengers in both cars is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the neck and head are suddenly forced backward and forward, putting the cervical spine through quick motions and extreme stress. Whiplash symptoms may present at the time of the whiplash injury, or there could be a delay before they appear.
Whiplash of the cervical region of the spine is a common injury that can require months of rehabilitation and treatment, and often the injuries are severe and permanent.
Should You Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer After a Collision?
T-bone and rear-end accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and may be life-changing. The victims of these accidents often have huge medical bills and sometimes suffer permanent disability and disfigurement.
If an accident victim does not survive due to the negligence of someone else, the surviving family members or the estate may file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. An attorney with auto accident experience is the best person to have by your side in a T-bone or rear-end accident case.
It is critical to be aware of the Statutes of Limitations, which are strict restrictions on how long an injured person may wait to file a claim or lawsuit against a wrongdoer. To be eligible for PIP medical insurance benefits in Florida, victims injured in a motor vehicle accident must seek initial services and care from specified providers within 14 days after the motor vehicle accident. For more details on this, see Section 627.736(1)(a), of the Florida Statutes.
Treatment of sustained injuries may be costly, painful, and could take months or even years. An experienced accident attorney can aggressively seek the financial compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering and for the expenses of your medical treatment and needed care. At Martin Hernandez Law Office, we will do everything we can to help you receive the compensation that you deserve after an auto accident.
Why Martin Hernandez Law Office?
Filling out an insurance claim or filing an injury lawsuit can be a difficult and overwhelming process, especially in the wake of a traumatic car accident. Auto accident attorney Martin J. Hernandez can help guide you through that process so you can be successful. For your best chance at recovery, it is important that you reach out to us as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a T-bone or rear-end accident and need help getting compensation for your injuries, call Tampa Personal Injury Attorney, Martin J. Hernandez at 813.755.9500 or go online to sign up for your free one-on-one attorney consultation.
