A side-impact crash can leave you seriously injured and facing missed work or a difficult insurance claim. Side impact / T-bone car accidents in Palm Coast can be especially severe because occupants have less protection from a direct hit to the side of the vehicle.
When someone disputes fault or right of way, a proactive car accident attorney can investigate the crash and protect your interests. At Rue & Ziffra, we help injured clients understand their options and pursue compensation while they focus on recovery.
Unlike the front and rear of a vehicle, the side has a comparatively limited area to absorb the force of a collision. Because T-bone car accidents often expose occupants to a direct side impact, people injured in these crashes in Palm Coast can suffer significant trauma even when airbags and other safety features deploy.
Injuries associated with these crashes may include:
Prompt medical care is important after a collision, even when symptoms seem minor at first. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, initial medical treatment generally must occur within 14 days of a motor vehicle accident to qualify for Personal Injury Protection medical benefits. Depending on the severity and permanence of the injuries, a victim may also be able to pursue compensation for pain and suffering and other noneconomic losses.
Many T-bone collisions occur at intersections, where the central question may be which driver had the legal right of way. A driver may cause a crash by speeding through a red light or stop sign, turning into oncoming traffic, or entering an intersection without yielding the right of way.
A lawyer can examine how a T-bone collision occurred in Palm Coast, including the movements of both vehicles and the traffic controls that applied immediately before the side impact. This is important because an insurer may argue that both drivers contributed to the crash.
Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, a court can reduce damages in a negligence action according to a claimant’s percentage of fault. A person who is more than 50 percent responsible for the accident generally cannot recover damages. Establishing who entered the intersection first, which traffic signal applied, and whether either driver had time to avoid the collision can therefore have a significant effect on a claim.
The location of vehicle damage may help show how a collision occurred, but it rarely tells the entire story. A thorough investigation can provide additional evidence about speed, direction of travel, traffic signals, and driver behavior.
Evidence from a T-bone car crash in Palm Coast can help show how the side impact occurred and who may be responsible, including:
At Rue & Ziffra, we can gather and review evidence while communicating with insurers to build a claim based on what happened. With more than 50 years of experience plus strong community relationships, we remain committed to being in your community and on your side.
A serious side-impact crash can leave you facing medical expenses, lost income, or ongoing pain while wondering what comes next. When side impact / T-bone car accidents in Palm Coast result from another driver’s negligence, careful investigation and strong evidence can support a claim for fair compensation.
We at Rue & Ziffra can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you move forward with a claim. Call our team today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your T-bone accident and learn about the steps that may be available to you.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers