A T-bone accident is a type of car crash that can result in life-changing and fatal injuries. If you get involved in this serious type of collision in the Las Vegas area, it is important to understand your rights. If you need help getting an insurer to treat you fairly during the car insurance claims process, let a Las Vegas car accident attorney help you.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident – also referred to as a broadside or side-impact collision – refers to a motor vehicle crash where one car strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape between the two vehicles. These accidents are often catastrophic, as the sides of a motor vehicle are not designed to withstand impact as much as the front or rear. Intersections in Las Vegas are the most common setting for T-bone collisions. According to the Federal Highway Administration, around one-fourth of traffic accident deaths and one-half of injuries in the U.S. occur at intersections.
Common Reasons for T-Bone Collisions in Las Vegas
T-bone car accidents in Las Vegas can typically be traced back to driver error. If a driver is negligent, meaning he or she does not operate a motor vehicle with an appropriate amount of care, this greatly increases the odds of a disaster such as a T-bone collision. Common reasons behind these accidents include:
- Driver distraction or inattention
- Cell phone use while driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way at an intersection
- Running a red light
- Rolling through a stop sign without stopping
- Making an unsafe left-hand turn or U-turn
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving aggressively or recklessly
- A malfunctioning traffic light or obscured stop sign
- A dangerously designed intersection
Since Nevada is a fault state – not a no-fault state – an injured accident victim will have to determine who is at fault for a T-bone accident before initiating an insurance claim. Determining who is responsible will take an investigation into which driver was negligent or violated a traffic law at the time of the crash.
Steps to Take After Getting in a T-Bone Accident in Las Vegas
It is important to know how to protect yourself in the aftermath of a harmful T-bone crash in Las Vegas. There are steps you can take from the very beginning of your case to protect your physical health and safety and build a stronger injury claim. Start by pulling over and checking yourself for injuries. Keep in mind that even if you don’t feel injured, you may be hurt and your adrenaline could be masking the pain. Seek professional medical care at the nearest hospital without delay. Call 911 to report the car accident and remain at the scene until police arrive. While you wait, exchange information with the other driver. If you can, take photographs at the injury scene and gather eyewitness information. Contact the other driver’s car insurance company to file an initial claim. Don’t give the insurance provider a recorded statement, however, and don’t rush into a quick settlement agreement. This is especially important if you or a loved one sustained catastrophic injuries in the crash, as the initial offer may be too low. Contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
How an Attorney Can Help
A T-bone accident can turn your life upside-down. During this difficult time, protect yourself by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas. At Koch & Brim, LLP, our injury attorneys can immediately go to work on determining the cause of your crash and seeking the best possible case results using a personalized legal strategy. Contact us at (702) 451-3900 today to begin your case with a free consultation at our local law office.