Bridgeport, Connecticut T-Bone Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Side-Impact Crashes at Intersections and Other Locations in Bridgeport

Car accidents can take place at many different locations, but some of the most dangerous accidents take place in intersections. In a T-bone collision, the front of one vehicle hits the side of another, creating a "T" shape at the point of impact. These accidents are also called side-impact or broadside crashes.

The side of a vehicle does not offer much protection compared to the front or rear. While cars have crumple zones and airbags designed to handle front-end crashes, the doors provide very little buffer between a person and another vehicle. Because of this, T-bone accidents often result in serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and internal organ damage.

When these crashes happen because another driver was careless or reckless, a victim may take steps to recover financial compensation. They may receive payments that will address their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

How Our Attorneys Can Help After a T-Bone Accident

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our lawyers understand Connecticut's personal injury laws, including the rules that may affect the determination of fault and the options that victims may have to obtain compensation. In Connecticut, an injury victim can recover compensation as long as their share of fault for an accident is no higher than 50 percent.

Our attorney can investigate a crash thoroughly. We can gather police reports, talk to witnesses, review traffic camera footage, and work with accident reconstruction professionals. All of this evidence can help to prove that the other driver was responsible for causing the collision.

Insurance coverage will usually apply following a car accident. A victim may file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer. However, insurance companies often try to pay out as little as possible. They may pressure a person to accept a quick settlement or try to blame them for the crash. Our lawyers can handle all communication with insurance adjusters, and we will fight for full and fair compensation. In addition to payments for medical bills and lost income, we can make sure issues such as future medical care, long-term disabilities, and other damages will be fully addressed.

Throughout the legal process, we will provide compassionate representation focused on achieving results. Whether engaging in settlement negotiations or taking a case to court, our lawyers work to ensure that clients receive the maximum compensation available. By handling legal concerns, we ensure that injury victims can focus on their recovery.

Locations Where T-Bone Accidents May Occur

T-bone accidents can happen anywhere vehicles cross paths, but collisions may be more likely in certain locations, including intersections with traffic lights. When drivers run red lights or try to speed through yellow lights, they can enter an intersection and hit another vehicle that has the right of way. Intersections with broken traffic signals or poor visibility also create dangerous conditions where T-bone collisions will be more likely.

Side-impact collisions can also take place at intersections with stop signs. Some drivers may roll through stop signs without coming to a complete stop. Others may fail to look carefully before entering an intersection. Four-way stops can sometimes be confusing when multiple vehicles arrive at the same time, and crashes may occur when drivers are unclear about who should go first.

Parking lots throughout Bridgeport are another location where T-bone accidents may take place. Vehicles can move in unpredictable patterns as drivers back out of spaces and cut across aisles. The informal flow of traffic in parking areas can create confusion about who has the right of way.

Collisions may also occur at highway entrance and exit ramps when drivers merge without checking for other vehicles or misjudge how fast traffic is moving. Residential neighborhoods with many cross streets and limited traffic controls can also be dangerous, especially when drivers exceed speed limits or fail to check for crossing traffic.

Types of Driver Negligence Leading to T-Bone Collisions

Drivers who run red lights may cause T-bone accidents. When a driver ignores a signal, whether because they are distracted or in a hurry, they may enter the intersection and hit a vehicle that is proceeding through the intersection legally. Some drivers also try to beat yellow lights by speeding up, but they can misjudge the timing and end up causing a crash. The results of these collisions can be devastating, especially when a driver is traveling at a high speed when entering an intersection.

Failing to yield the right of way is another cause of many side-impact collisions. Left turns across oncoming traffic can be especially risky, because drivers must judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles correctly. If a driver turns in front of another vehicle, there may be no way for the other vehicle to stop in time to avoid a collision.

Distracted driving is a major problem that contributes to many T-bone accidents. Drivers who check text messages, talk on phones, eat and drink, or fiddle with vehicle controls may not notice traffic signals or other vehicles until it is too late. Drunk or drugged driving is another form of negligence that can lead to T-bone crashes. Intoxicated drivers will often experience slower reaction times, poor coordination, and other impairments, making them more likely to collide with other vehicles.

Speeding also plays a role in many T-bone collisions. Drivers who are going too fast will have less time to react to red lights or stop signs. Even if a person notices a signal, they may not be able to stop in time. During bad weather like rain or snow, failing to slow down can cause a driver to slide through an intersection. Aggressive driving behaviors like weaving through traffic can also increase the risks of collisions.

Investigating T-Bone Accidents

Building a strong case for compensation following a car accident will require a thorough investigation. Our attorneys will start by getting the police report from an accident. This report will include a police officer's observations, statements from drivers and witnesses, details about traffic violations, and other information that can be used to establish fault.

Witness statements can also be valuable, because people who observed an accident can provide objective accounts of what happened. Our lawyers will find and interview witnesses quickly, while their memories are still fresh. Witness statements help determine which driver had the right of way and whether anyone was speeding or driving dangerously.

Physical evidence can also tell an important story. Our attorneys may visit the crash site to photograph road conditions, traffic signals, signs, and anything blocking visibility. Skid marks and vehicle damage can reveal details about the angle and force of impact. Accident reconstruction professionals can analyze this evidence to determine how the crash occurred.

Modern vehicles have electronic data recorders that capture information about speed, braking, and other factors that may have played a role in a crash. Our lawyers can take steps to preserve and obtain this data. In addition, traffic cameras, business security cameras, and dashboard cameras may have recorded an accident. We will act quickly to secure this footage before it gets deleted.

Medical records will document a victim's injuries and the treatment they have received. Our attorneys can gather hospital records, test results, therapy notes, and other medical evidence. This can be used to connect injuries directly to an accident and calculate the full value of a claim.

Contact Our Bridgeport, CT T-Bone Accident Attorneys

When T-bone accidents take place, they can cause severe injuries that will require extensive medical treatment. The financial stress of medical bills and lost income can feel overwhelming. Dealing with insurance companies and the legal system can be complicated without help. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our attorneys can handle the legal side of a case so that our clients can focus on healing. Contact our Bridgeport side-impact accident lawyers at 203-335-5145 to set up a free consultation.