Side impact collisions, or T-bone crashes, happen in a fraction of a second, but the injuries they cause can reshape your life for months or years. These collisions occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forcing those occupants to absorb the impact with minimal structural protection. Side impact / T-bone car accidents in DeLand happen at intersections throughout Volusia County, including in high-traffic areas along Woodland Boulevard, New York Avenue, and US-17.
Whether a side impact collision occurs because a driver ran a red light or failed to yield, the result can be catastrophic. If another driver’s negligence injures you or a loved one, an experienced car accident attorney at Rue & Ziffra can help you explore your legal options and pursue fair compensation.
Passenger vehicles have crumple zones and reinforced bumpers to absorb front and rear collisions, but the sides of a vehicle offer far less protection. When another car strikes your car door at high or even moderate speed, the force is transferred directly into your passenger compartment. Sometimes, only a door panel stands between you and the impact.
T-bone car collisions in DeLand frequently cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, fractured ribs, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries. Passengers seated closest to the point of impact often sustain the most severe harm. Since some injuries may not be immediately apparent, it is important to seek prompt medical evaluation after this kind of crash.
In most T-bone accidents, one driver is at fault for failing to yield the right of way, running a red light, ignoring a stop sign, or miscalculating the speed of oncoming traffic. However, determining liability is rarely simple. Both drivers may dispute what happened, making witness accounts, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence essential to building a strong claim.
The state follows a modified comparative negligence standard under Florida Statutes § 768.81, which means that if you are more than 50 percent responsible for a crash, you cannot recover damages. Otherwise, your recovery is limited by the degree of fault assigned to you. While you heal from your side impact motor vehicle collision, our DeLand sideswipe crash attorneys can thoroughly investigate the incident, gather supporting evidence, and build a case that accurately reflects who was at fault.
Under Fla. Stat § 627.736, drivers must carry personal injury protection coverage that provides up to $10,000 for initial medical expenses and lost wages. However, this amount often falls short of what victims of T-bone crashes actually need.
If you have injuries that meet the legal threshold, such as permanent impairment, significant scarring, or loss of a bodily function, you may be able to move beyond the no-fault system and file a claim directly against the at-fault driver. Damages in a DeLand T-bone auto crash claim may include:
Our team can evaluate your losses in full and help you build a claim that accounts for both your current needs and your long-term recovery.
At Rue & Ziffra, our team has supported injured clients for more than 50 years. We take the time to understand your specific situation, explain your options in plain terms, and pursue every available source of compensation. We are in your community and on your side.
If another driver’s negligence has caused you harm, do not wait to seek guidance on side impact / T-bone car accidents in DeLand. Book a free consultation with our team and learn which steps to take next.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers