South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
T-Bone or broadside collisions refer to situations where the front of one vehicle collides into the side of another vehicle. Florida broadside accidents tend to happen at intersections, parking lots, or in situations where one driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign. These accidents are more likely to result in tin severe injuries or fatalities. Scientific literature from the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine categorized the severity of injuries from these types of accidents.
An analysis of the crash data indicated that about 49% of victims suffered injuries to the chest/abdomen, 24% experienced pelvic/lower extremity injuries, and 4% to their neck/spine. In addition, the largest source of injuries involved arterial damage followed by brain and heart injuries. Generally, four factors influence the severity of injuries in a Florida t-bone accident. These factors include; accident type, occupant exposure, impact area, and crash direction; interestingly, seat belt use was not a primary factor. However, the literature suggests that seat-belt use was critical in reducing ejection and rebound injuries.
Almost all data suggests that the most dangerous type of T-bone accident involves vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. For instance, news reports recently described a tragic accident involving a family vacationing in Florida over New Year. A driver t-boned the family’s vehicle as they pulled into a fast-food restaurant. According to witnesses and a police report, the family’s car rotated across the roadway, onto a sidewalk, and slammed into a light pole. Emergency responders transported the family to a local hospital; however, the mother and son succumbed to their injuries. The case is still under investigation, and it is unclear whether the driver will face charges.
There are many reasons these accidents occur, and most of them stem from driver negligence. For example, the most common reasons for a T-bone accident involve driver error, fatigue, or distraction. However, these accidents can happen because of a defective vehicle, driver impairment, or traffic light defect. Although establishing fault may seem straightforward, many factors may impact a victim’s recovery. An attorney can help accident victims during all stages of their claim by gathering evidence, engaging in settlement discussions, preparing pretrial motions, submitting arguments, litigating, and appealing.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Florida Side Collision?
If you or someone you know has experienced injuries because of a negligent driver, contact the lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada. The attorneys at our office have extensive experience handling all types of Florida accident cases. We handle matters stemming from negligent drivers, companies, and medical providers. Our seasoned attorneys have secured compensation on behalf of clients in their Florida personal injury and wrongful death claims. We treat clients with respect and compassion during these difficult times and pursue their claims with integrity. We strive to secure maximum compensation for our clients and their loved ones. Contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free initial consultation with a Florida accident attorney on our team. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.