Lafayette T-Bone Accident Lawyer

T-bone accidents are hazardous because of the lack of built-in protection on the sides of an automobile. Impact at a car’s front or rear end may allow the bumpers, trunk space, or engine compartment to slow the brunt of the force. The cab of a vehicle is often the last area of impact because bumpers work to absorb the force or repel the impact.

However, only a thin layer of aluminum or metal comprising the door and a window stands between a vehicle’s occupant and the other automobile during a T-bone accident. This means the victim may absorb most of the impact, even when airbags are in place. The human body cannot withstand the force of a moving vehicle.

The size and speed of the other vehicle can increase the severity of T-bone crash injuries. Where the strike occurs concerning a car’s occupants is also a substantial factor. T-bone accidents are the third most common type of accident occurring between moving vehicles in Louisiana, according to Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety.

The most common cause of T-bone accidents is human error, especially distracted driving. Louisiana prohibits texting or posting on social media while operating an automobile. Not paying attention to the road can cause drivers to make mistakes such as:

• Failing to yield to oncoming traffic
• Turning across lanes of oncoming motorists
• Running a red light
• Failing to look both ways

Other causes of T-bone accidents include Inclement weather and poor traffic conditions. These may make it challenging for drivers to gauge the speed of oncoming traffic or make it difficult to stop. Braking quickly at a stop sign or intersection on wet, icy, or snow-covered roads may result in a car sliding into an intersection, resulting in a t-bone accident by an oncoming vehicle. 

Reckless and aggressive driving may also lead to a T-bone accident. The use of alcohol and drugs while driving can result in a driver’s slow response or miscalculation in an oncoming car’s distance and speed. The use of alcohol is a significant factor in motor vehicle crashes in the state, leading to 299 fatal driving accidents that were alcohol-related, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. 

Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer can help determine fault by who may be liable in a T-bone accident. Liability may belong to:

• The other driver: We will negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement or fight for you in court whether one or more drivers caused an accident.
• A business entity: Many motor vehicles on the highway belong to businesses and corporations. A company may be responsible for your compensation, such as in a truck or rideshare accident.
• Local governmental agencies: Governmental agencies are responsible for the maintenance and safety of Lafayette roads. Additionally, a government employee may be the other driver who is negligent in your T-bone accident.

Any driver found partly to blame in a T-bone accident may experience a reduction in the damages they collect. When the insurance company reduces the amount of blame attributed to their driver, they will likely decrease the compensation they will pay. A Lafayette T-bone accident lawyer will strive to ensure the amount of blame you receive in an accident is proportionate to your actions. Proving liability comes down to the evidence in a T-bone crash.

Evidence collection begins at the scene of the accident. An attorney can help collect additional material, such as security camera footage, traffic camera footage, and cell phone records. Medical documentation of your injuries by a qualified physician is imperative to prove how you were harmed. Follow these steps at the scene of an accident when possible:

• Assess any injuries and call 911 to alert law enforcement and emergency medical services.
• Collect the name of the driver’s insurance company information, along with the contact information of the other drivers in the accident.
• Collect information from the witnesses to the incident, including their names and phone numbers.
• Takes pictures of the vehicles in the accident and their locations following the accident.
• Photograph skid marks, impact points, and any crash debris, and ensure the pictures display the time of day, weather events, and road conditions.
• Ask for a copy of the police report or where to obtain a copy.
• Never admit fault or apologize.

Evidence from the accident scene changes rapidly to make way for traffic and reduce the chances of other incidents. The priority in a T-bone accident is to get medical help immediately for your injuries, but evidence collection supports your claim. Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer will work tirelessly to uncover an accident’s events and compile irrefutable evidence from the accident scene.

Under Louisiana state law, all drivers must report any accident resulting in personal injury, death, or property damage over $500. It can be almost impossible to estimate the cost of repairs to a vehicle at the scene of an accident, so it is best to always call 911. Hidden damage can result in extensive costs and the loss of compensation when an accident goes unreported to law enforcement.

A Lafayette T-bone accident lawyer will work for you to prove the essential elements that must be present in every negligence case by taking the following actions:

• Reviewing evidence from the scene of the accident to identify negligent acts
• Using medical records and billing invoices to demonstrate the extent of your injuries
• Contacting witnesses to the accident and working with expert witnesses when necessary
• Estimating the cost of non-economic damages and any future medical care that may be necessary
• Acting as a point of contact between you and the insurance company
• Striving to negotiate a fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit on your behalf when a fair settlement cannot be reached

As an injury victim in a T-bone accident, you can refuse a settlement offer, particularly when it does not adequately reflect the amount of damages you suffer. Your Lafayette T-bone accident attorney will perform a non-biased comprehensive review of your damages to determine what your injuries have cost you.

Severe penalties apply to drivers who do not have insurance in an accident, whether they are at fault or the victim in the accident. Not having insurance means that recovering damages for your injuries in a T-bone accident will require a personal injury lawsuit. A Louisiana car accident lawyer will discuss your options for compensation.

To ensure they meet the statute of limitations, a T-bone accident injury victim in Louisiana must take legal action against a negligent driver within one year from the accident date. Let the Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer team preserve the evidence in your case and the right to file a lawsuit by contacting us as soon as possible.

In many cases, a lawyer may ask for a retainer fee for their services and charge by the hour, deducting hourly costs from the retainer fee. A client will then pay an additional fee to compensate for services when the retainer drops below a certain amount. This payment method continues until a settlement or verdict is reached, often leading to unexpected expenses and unaffordable costs for an individual who is also paying medical expenses.

At Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer, we understand that cost can significantly hinder receiving the legal help you need. Lafayette T-bone accident victims pay nothing until we secure compensation for their damages. A contingency fee payment schedule allows us to do the work you require without you having to stress about the cost. Specific factors are present in a strong T-bone accident case. However, the best way to determine if you have a valid case is to contact us for a free consultation.

The amount of compensation you receive is impacted by the extent of the damages you suffer. Compensation that may be available to you includes:

• All past and future medical expenses, including medication costs, rehabilitation, and therapy
• Lost wages, bonuses, and potential income
• Transportation costs for treatment
• Home services or modification expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
• Emotional Trauma

Other damages may apply specifically to your case. Our role from the moment you contact us is to determine your losses so we can build a solid case to secure the settlement you deserve.