Child & Jackson can help you if you’ve been hurt in a t-bone car accident in Folsom. T-bone or side impact collisions sometimes get overlooked when it comes to how serious they are. However, the circumstances that cause these accidents are just as serious and damaging as any other kind of car accident. Our team will be there to guide and support you. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Lawyer After a T-Bone Accident?
Like any car accident, a t-bone collision leaves you with a huge number of questions. One of the most important things you have to answer is how you’re going to move forward. Usually, that means going the legal route. But the truth is that you don’t have to get a lawyer after a T-bone accident, especially if your injuries are relatively minor.
At the same time, though, it’s not always apparent how serious your situation is right away. That’s when our team can come in and set the table for you by:
- Figuring out what happened
- Gathering evidence and information
- Handling the insurance company for you
- Explaining your options and what the path forward looks like
Obviously, every situation is different. Some people feel comfortable handling things on their own. But when the realities of the accident start to hit, everything becomes harder.
How and Why T-Bone Accidents Happen in Folsom
One driver is moving through an intersection on East Bidwell Street with the right-of-way. Another driver is trying to make a left turn on Iron Point Road, pull out from a side street, or get through a light before it changes. In a matter of seconds, the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another. That’s how they happen, but it’s more a question of why. Usually, it’s because:
- A driver is distracted. Looking at a text message, adjusting a GPS, or reaching for something.
- Someone misjudges a gap in traffic, mostly during a turn.
- A driver tries to get through a red light, ignores a stop sign, or just doesn’t yield.
- A driver is moving too fast for the prevailing conditions or roadway itself.
- Alcohol or drugs impair judgment.
Even with these common causes, every t-bone accident has its own story. Understanding exactly what happened can really narrow down your best options. And the best way to do that is to start getting information as soon as you can—especially right there at the scene.
What Can Help Prove What Happened?
One of the first questions people ask after a T-bone accident is simple: Who had the right-of-way? While this is important, it’s far from the only piece of information that matters. Another way of thinking about this is evidence. What can you get that shows what led up to the accident and what it’s left you dealing with? Here’s what to focus on:
- Medical records. If you’ve been to the emergency room, seen your doctor, started physical therapy, or filled prescriptions because of the accident, keep those records together. They help tell the story of what you’ve been dealing with since the collision. What felt like a sore shoulder the day after the accident could turn into months of treatment, and your medical records help document that progression.
- Pictures/videos. Pictures can be surprisingly helpful after a T-bone accident. If you have photos of the intersection, the damage to the vehicles, your injuries, or even the weather and road conditions that day, don’t delete them. Sometimes a single photo can show details that people forget weeks or months later.
- Receipts and bills. Most people think about medical bills, but there are often plenty of other costs that come with an injury. Maybe you’ve paid for prescriptions, rides to appointments, rental cars, or other unexpected expenses. Those costs can add up quickly, so it’s worth keeping receipts whenever possible.
- Witness information. T-bone accidents often come down to one question: who had the right-of-way? That’s why witnesses can be so important. Someone who saw the collision happen may be able to confirm whether a driver ran a red light, failed to yield, or entered the intersection when it wasn’t safe to do so. If you have names or phone numbers for witnesses, hold onto them.
- Your own notes. You don’t need anything fancy. A notebook, notes app, or even a calendar can work. If you’re having trouble sleeping because of pain, missing activities you normally enjoy, or struggling with things that used to be easy, write it down. Those day-to-day challenges don’t always show up in medical records, but they can paint a much clearer picture of how the accident has affected your life.
Even if you haven’t gathered all of this information, that’s okay. Many people leave the scene of a T-bone accident focused on getting medical care and figuring out what to do next. Evidence can often be tracked down later through police reports, traffic cameras, witness interviews, and other sources.
Legal Responsibility For a T-Bone Collision
Even if you have a good idea of how your t-bone collision unfolded, there’s still going to be key questions around fault and responsibility. At least legally, it comes down to negligence. Whoever acted carelessly and caused the actual collision (and your injuries) is who’s legally responsible for your damages.
Given the circumstances of these kinds of accidents, responsibility for t-bones usually fall on:
- Another driver
- A vehicle owner
- An employer, if the driver was working at the time
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- A government agency responsible for roadway design or traffic control
It’s also important to know that fault isn’t always all-or-nothing. California follows a comparative negligence system, which means more than one person can share responsibility for an accident. You could share some responsibility. That doesn’t take away your right to file a claim and get damages—it just changes what you could potentially get.
What Losses Can Be Included in a T-Bone Accident Claim?
Once you’ve figured out who may be responsible for the collision, the next question is usually simple: how do you get your losses covered? The answer here is pretty simple: you file an injury claim. From there, things fork in two paths:
- Filing an insurance claim out of court.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Things typically start with an insurance claim, but insurance companies are usually just concerned with saving money. That’s how they justify lowballing you on an offer, and they base that on their own interpretation of the evidence, statements, and what happened.
When that happens, the next option is filing a lawsuit in civil court. It takes more time and effort, but it’s also a fairer process because it’s overseen by a judge. It also gives you access to fuller “damages” like:
- Medical bills and ongoing treatment costs
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced future earning ability
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of activities you once enjoyed
- Permanent injuries, scarring, or disfigurement
You only have two years from the date of the accident to file either type of claim, but overall, it’s better to act sooner rather than later. That makes it easier to tie everything together, and our team will be there by your side the whole time.
Talk With a Folsom T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer
A t-bone collision in Folsom can happen in the blink of an eye when you’re driving to work, taking your kids to school, or simply running an errand. If you’ve been injured in a t-bone accident in Folsom, our team can review what happened, explain your options, and help you understand what steps you need to take to move forward. Set up a free consultation today.