New York Broadside Car Accidents
Being involved in a car accident is an overwhelming and potentially life changing experience for anyone. It may even prompt you to file a personal injury claim with the help of a New York car accident lawyer. Broadside collisions may also be referred to as T-bone accidents. This happens when the front of one car or truck crashes into the side of a different vehicle. The most common situations for broadside accidents to occur is when one driver at an intersection fails to stop at a traffic light or stop sign.
This means that that driver has failed to yield the right of way to the other person. T-bone collisions, sadly, because of the nature of these accidents are more likely to cause critical injuries to the passengers and drivers involved. Broken arms, brain injuries, spinal fractures and leg damage may all occur as a result of a broadside accident. One of the most common reasons for serious injuries to apply in broadside vehicle accidents is because the physics of the crash itself causes one vehicle to be knocked off course and into a separate collision.
A broadsided vehicle will then be pushed towards the direction of oncoming traffic or towards the roadside. Furthermore, the chances that a T-bone collision will cause the striking vehicle to spin in the direction if the other vehicle was moving could increase the chance of further traumas such as slamming into telephone poles, guardrails or other parts. In the event that the collision force is strong enough, the broadsided vehicle could completely roll over, particularly if it is knocked onto a shoulder. The proximity between the driver and passenger in the broadsided vehicle and the impact point of the accident increases the chances of severe injuries in a broadside accident. This translates into much less protection than a person might have in a rear end or a head on accident in New York.
While many vehicles today have crumple zones and side impact airbags that are designed to absorb as much side impact as possible, a fast-moving car or truck could still increase the chances of severe injuries. One of the most common ways that a T-bone accident occurs has to do with left turns. Certain T-bone accidents can be caused by a car or a truck making a left turn in front of another car. A driver making a left turn in an intersection must always yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. It is the driver's responsibility to judge how close that traffic is and whether it is close enough to be a hazard.
A driver who causes a crash by taking a left turn when the right of way was not clear could be held accountable in the form of a legal case if the accident led to harm for other people in the crash. This may even apply to passengers inside the driver's vehicle. Once the way is clear, the driver who intends to make a left turn will absorb the right of way and any oncoming vehicles need to yield. However, if the person does not verify that it is safe to proceed, he or she could be involved in a broadside accident. Broadside accidents may also occur as a result of distracted or drunk driving. This means that the driver who is responsible for the accident perhaps did not see the intersection or was so otherwise distracted or unable to render proper judgement that they proceed through the intersection to a car that did have a right of way at the time. These accidents can be catastrophic and may lead to life threatening injuries or even fatalities. There is no way to go back and undo the damage caused in a broadside car accident but being able to use accident reconstruction and other techniques with the help of your New York personal injury lawyer can increase your chances of success in a legal accident claim. It is overwhelming to find yourself in the hospital and coping with major injuries after such an accident but your ability to take proper action quickly by consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can make it much easier for you to pursue the injury claims necessary to get compensation. Your life maybe forever changed by a broadside car accident but the right lawyer can fight for maximum compensation.