Arkansas T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
Crash reports from 2022 show that angle collisions, also known as side-impact or T-bone collisions, account for 18.3% of fatal crashes. This percentage represents the highest fatality rate out of all types of collisions.
Intersections are a frequent site for car accidents. About 50% of all traffic personal injuries and 20-25% of traffic fatalities occur at or near intersections in the United States. Driver error is a major contributor to these accidents.
You may be wondering why an intersection auto accident personal injury is a legal matter. Many T-bone collisions are preventable, as seen in this example of a case in which a car T-boned another vehicle, causing severe injuries. The driver at fault for the accident was speeding toward a truck that had stopped at a stop sign and started to accelerate forward.
These types of accidents become legal matters when the cause includes fault, such as negligent driving. If you’ve been affected by a side-impact collision, you’ll need a T-bone accident lawyer or car accident lawyer in Fayetteville.
Here at The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook, a trusted law firm, we have over 460 years of combined experience fighting for clients in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Book a free consultation with us to get started: 479-783-8000..
What is considered a T-bone car accident?
A T-bone car accident occurs when one motorist strikes another vehicle at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees, typically forming the shape of a capital “T,” hence the name. T-bone crashes usually involve the front of one vehicle striking the side of another.
These collisions often happen at intersections and can result in significant injuries due to the impact’s force and the lack of side-impact protection on vehicles.
What is considered an intersection crash?
An intersection crash is a traffic collision that occurs at or near the intersection of two or more roads. Intersections come in various forms, including four-way intersections, T-intersections (three-way), and Y-intersections (three-way with all roadways of equal size).
Some use traffic signals, whereas others use stop signs. Driver error while traveling through these accident hotspots may lead to an intersection crash lawsuit.
Common Personal Injuries
T-bone and intersection crashes can result in a wide range of serious injuries, some of which may have life-altering consequences. Here are some of the most common:
- Death: Tragically, many intersection crashes result in fatalities due to high-impact collisions.
- Whiplash: A neck injury caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
- Broken Bones: Fractures in arms, legs, ribs, or other areas of the body are common in high-impact crashes.
- Limb Amputations: Severe injuries can result in the loss of limbs, either at the scene or through surgical intervention later.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often causing chronic pain and limited movement.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or full paralysis, depending on the severity and location of the damage.
- Neck and Back Injuries: Common in crashes, these injuries can range from mild discomfort to debilitating conditions requiring long-term treatment.
- Internal Organ Damage: High-speed impacts can cause damage to organs such as the liver, lungs, or kidneys, often requiring emergency surgery.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A serious head injury that can range from concussions to severe brain damage, often impacting cognitive and physical abilities.
These are just a few of the many personal injuries that can occur in intersection crashes. The severity of the injury depends on several factors, including the speed of the vehicles involved, their size and weight, whether occupants were wearing seatbelts, and the location of the impact. Such crashes can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for victims and their families.
Common Causes of T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
Out of the known causes of auto accidents reported in 2022, speeding accounted for the highest percentage of fatal crashes. Another major cause is when drivers fail to obey traffic signals and signs.
Other causes include the following:
- power outages
- distracted driving
- unsafe road conditions
- losing control of the vehicle
- trees that obstruct one’s view of stop signs
- being impaired by alcohol, drugs, or sleepiness
- misjudging speed and distance from other vehicles
- vehicle malfunction like tire blowout or inability to brake or steer
- hazardous road conditions with poor signage, lighting, or maintenance
- poor visibility due to inclement weather conditions like fog, rain, snow, or ice
Some of these behaviors are negligent and can be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Every driver has a duty to create a safe environment for other people on the roads. Breaching this duty can lead to significant damages for the victims involved.
Arkansas law requires drivers to slow, stop, and yield according to whatever vehicle or pedestrian has the right of way, according to Code § 27-51-503.
Visibility of stop signs and red lights may affect the driver’s ability to stop when necessary. A few years back, there was a T-bone collision case in which one driver was unaware she had to stop because the use of stop signs was intermittent at that intersection.
On weekdays, there was a stop sign there whereas on weekends, there wasn’t. Since that accident, local authorities placed a permanent stop sign at that location to prevent confusion.
Steps To Take if You Were in a T-Bone or Intersection Crash
A commonly asked question is, “What should you do after an auto accident?” Once everyone involved in the accident has received immediate medical attention, follow these steps:
- Seek safety.
- Call the police.
- Do not admit fault.
- Gather any evidence you can.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Consult a side-impact collision attorney in Arkansas.
- Stay at the scene if you are medically cleared to do so.
Moving yourself and your vehicle to a safe location is crucial to prevent further damage. This is typically the shoulder of the road, as far from traffic as possible. You may even be able to move to a parking lot or side street. Turn on your hazards to warn other drivers.
Drivers must report accidents to the police if property damage exceeds $1,000 or there are injuries or fatalities. They also must report the accident to the Arkansas Office of Driver Services within 30 days.
In case the other driver flees the scene, take down a description of:
- the other driver
- the license plate number
- the make/model/year of the car
How to Recognize the Other Person is at Fault
If the other motorist failed to obey the laws of the road, that is typically a sign they are the at-fault driver in the crash. It’s possible both parties can share fault for an accident, but it’s important for you to never admit fault. Any statement you make can be used against you by the insurance company and might not even be true or relevant.
For example, if a drunk motorist ran a red light and hit your vehicle, it wouldn’t be advisable to mention you were drowsy after a long shift. As long as you were obeying the rules of the road—such as accelerating after the light turns green—your level of alertness did not cause the accident.
Even if looking both ways before proceeding through the intersection could have prevented the crash, it is still the fault of the other motorist for driving while intoxicated.
The following indicators are often used to determine fault in an accident involving personal injury, especially if they prove the other driver was negligent:
- Phone records
- Photos or videos
- Witness statements
- Police report
- Homeowners’ cameras
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Surveillance footage showing the intersection
- Breathalyzer tests showing blood alcohol content (BAC)
This evidence is crucial when determining fault in an intersection crash lawsuit. In Fayetteville and throughout Arkansas, personal injury cases follow an at-fault system. This means the driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages.
To establish fault, you must prove the at-fault driver was negligent. Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means if you are 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover damages. However, if you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. This is why gathering evidence like the accident report, police report, and other supporting materials is essential to build your case.
Our Process for T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
You may be wondering how a T-bone accident lawyer in Fayetteville can help you. We help clients by:
- collecting evidence
- protecting your rights
- informing you of next steps
- establishing the other driver’s fault
- negotiating with insurance companies
- suing the responsible party for personal injury
- meeting deadlines, also known as statutes of limitations
- filling out necessary paperwork and representing you legally
Our side-impact collision attorneys in Arkansas are experienced in handling these types of collisions. We will meet with you for an initial consultation, answer all your questions, and go from there after we establish a relationship. We’ve got this!
Compensation After T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
Victims of accidents caused by negligent driving, including T-bone and intersection crashes, have the right to seek compensation for the following:
- Serious injuries: Covers medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care for injuries sustained in the crash.
- Lost wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to an inability to work during recovery or permanent disability.
- Medical expenses: Includes hospital visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical needs related to the accident.
- Wrongful death: Compensation for families who lose a loved one, covering funeral costs, loss of support, and emotional grief.
- Property damage: Repairs or replacement for your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Pain and suffering: Addresses the physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life caused by the accident.
The amount of compensation can vary significantly depending on the severity of the serious injuries, the degree of liability involved, the insurance coverage available, and the expenses and evidence presented in the car accident case. While some victims may recover modest amounts, others may secure settlements or verdicts in the six- or seven-figure range, similar to the outcomes our law firm has achieved for many of our past clients.
If you’ve been involved in a T-bone or intersection crash, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Work with an experienced car accident lawyer to secure the maximum compensation for your losses. Contact us today to start rebuilding your life after the accident.
