What Is a T-Bone Crash and Why Is It So Dangerous?

T-bone crashes are violent, jarring side-impact collisions that can happen anywhere in Chicago, especially at busier intersections. Victims of these crashes often face catastrophic injuries and long-term, costly medical care.

At Cooney & Conway, we help injured crash victims every day; something we have been doing for decades. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand the devastating injuries and resulting damages victims face in the aftermath of one of these crashes. We cannot change what has happened to you, but we do know how insurance companies work to minimize these claims, and we have knowledgeable attorneys who can fight to protect your rights.

Injured in a T-Bone crash in the Chicago area? If so, contact our law offices today to find out how we can help you. Your initial consultation is completely free. If you choose our firm to represent you, there are also no upfront costs to pay.

Filing deadlines apply in Illinois.
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What Exactly Is a T-Bone Crash?

A T-bone crash happens when one vehicle strikes another vehicle’s side at a perpendicular angle. The collision creates a “T” shape where the vehicles meet. These accidents are also called side-impact or broadside collisions.

Why Are T-Bone Crashes So Dangerous?

T-bone crashes are particularly dangerous because vehicle sides have much less protection than when hit elsewhere. Unlike the front and rear of a vehicle, doors don’t offer only thin metal and glass between occupants and impact. This lack of protection leaves drivers and passengers vulnerable to severe injuries.

How Do T-Bone Crashes Happen?

T-bone crashes typically occur when one driver fails to yield the right of way. These accidents often happen at intersections where traffic flows cross each other. Common causes include:

• Running Red Lights: Drivers who speed through red lights strike vehicles crossing legally.
• Ignoring Stop Signs: Failure to stop completely leads to dangerous intersection collisions.
• Making Unsafe Left Turns: Turning left without checking for oncoming traffic causes many T-bone crashes.
• Distracted Driving: Texting or other distractions prevent drivers from seeing cross traffic.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drugs affect judgment and reaction times at intersections.

Where Are T-Bone Crashes More Likely to Happen in Chicago?

Chicago’s busy intersections see frequent T-bone collisions due to heavy traffic and complex road patterns. Certain locations pose higher risks than others. Common T-bone crash locations include:

• Major Intersections: Western Avenue, Cicero Avenue, and Ashland Avenue see frequent side-impact crashes.
• Highway On-Ramps and Off-Ramps: Merging traffic on the Kennedy and Eisenhower creates dangerous crossing patterns.
• Four-way Stops: Residential areas where drivers assume others will stop.
• Uncontrolled Intersections: Areas without traffic signals where right-of-way confusion occurs.
• Shopping Center Entrances: High traffic areas where drivers rush to enter or exit parking lots.

Who Is Usually At Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident?

The driver who violates traffic laws or fails to yield typically bears fault in T-bone crashes. This often means the driver who ran a red light or stop sign. However, fault determination requires careful investigation of witness statements, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence.

What Types of Injuries Can a T-Bone Crash Cause?

T-bone crashes often result in severe injuries due to the direct side impact. The force of these collisions can cause immediate and long-lasting damage to occupants. Common injuries include:

Head and Brain Injuries

Drivers and passengers can suffer serious concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) if their heads strike windows, door frames, or other objects in the crash. TBIs in this situation can be quite severe, leaving victims with cognitive issues, changes to their personality – or even permanent brain damage.

Neck and Spinal Injuries

The violent sideways motion can cause significant damage to the spinal cord and surrounding soft tissues. Victims may suffer severe whiplash, herniated discs, or, in severe crashes, permanent paralysis.

Broken Bones

The crushing force of a side- impact crash can cause compound fractures to multiple areas of the body, including ribs, arms, legs, and pelvic bones. Multiple fractures are very common in high-impact T-bone collisions.

Internal Organ Damage

The force of a T-bone crash often results in blunt-force trauma injuries. Drivers and passengers of the vehicle hit may suffer severe internal damage to organs, including the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries, as well as an internal bleeding, are especially dangerous, because they may not show any immediate symptoms. They can only be discovered through diagnostic testing. Victims who wait to seek medical care could be risking their ability to recover.

Cuts and Lacerations

Shattered glass and twisted metal are profound in side-impact crashes, and can leave victims with deep wounds and lacerations. Victims often need urgent medical treatment. Facial injuries and scarring are also very common in T-Bone crashes, leaving victims permanently disfigured, scarred, and traumatized.

Why T-Bone Crash Victims Often Need Long-Term Medical Care

T-bone crash injuries frequently require extensive medical treatment beyond emergency care. Victims may need multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing pain management. Recovery can take months or even years, in some cases, Victims with life-altering injuries may suffer from permanent disabilities.

The financial burden of long-term care overwhelms many families. Medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs quickly accumulate. Insurance companies, who always put their bottom line first, often dispute the necessity of continued treatment.

Why Contact a Car Accident Attorney Right After a T-Bone Crash

At Cooney & Conway, our experienced car accident attorneys work tirelessly to protect your rights while you focus on your recovery. Insurance companies start building their defense immediately after crashes. It is to your benefit to have knowledgeable legal representation protecting your best interests as soon after your crash as possible. Our legal team will get right to work to preserve critical evidence and give your claim the attention it deserves.

Damages You May Be Able to Recover After a T-Bone Crash in Chicago

Illinois law allows T-bone crash victims to seek compensation for their losses. The severity of these crashes often leads to substantial damages. It is important – especially following severe crashes where life-altering damages result – to have a experienced legal team who knows how to properly calculate all your damages.

Damages you may be able to recover in Chicago include:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, surgeries, physical therapy, pain management, medication, and future medical care.
• Lost Wages: Income lost if you were unable to work while recovering, and for any reduced earning capacity caused by the crash.
• Property Damage: Personal property damaged in the crash, including vehicle repairs or replacement costs.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensates you for the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the accident.
• Loss of the Ability to Enjoy Life Compensation for activities you used to do but can no longer enjoy.
• Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses, burial costs, and family support if a loved one died.

How Long You Have to File a T-Bone Injury Lawsuit in Illinois

Illinois gives you just two years to file a lawsuit. The clock to this deadline – called the “statute of limitations” begins ticking on the day of your accident. The deadlines is pretty strictly followed, with few exceptions. Missing this deadline typically means permanently losing your right to recover compensation, no matter how badly you were injured.

Need Legal Help After a T-Bone Crash in Chicago? Call Cooney & Conway Today

T-bone crashes cause devastating injuries that change lives instantly. You deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain caused by someone else’s negligence. Don’t face insurance companies alone while trying to heal.

[Firm-name]’s knowledgeable Chicago car accident attorneys understand the complexities of T-bone crash cases. We fight for the maximum possible compensation while you focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation about your T-bone accident claim.

Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer? Don’t be. We take Chicago injury cases on contingency. This means we accept the financial risk upfront and get paid only when we win your case. For you, there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to pay.

Call Cooney & Conway today. (800) 322-5573
We listen, answer your questions, and get you results.