T-bone car accidents are among the most dangerous collisions that occur on the streets of Lexington. These collisions often happen at intersections when one driver is trying to turn left and is struck in the side. T-bone accidents often cause more serious injuries than other collisions because of the lack of structure on the sides of cars to absorb impact.
If you have been injured in a T-bone car crash caused by another driver, you need to speak with a knowledgeable Lexington personal injury attorney to understand your legal options. Turn to Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer for assistance. Morgan, Collings, Yeast & Salyer is dedicated to helping Kentuckians stand up for their rights and holding accountable those responsible for serious accidents. Our attorneys strive to provide compassionate, one-on-one service to every person who walks through our door. The lawyers you see in our Kentucky Courage advertisements are the same attorneys you will meet when you talk with us about a case. We’ll be ready to fight for what you deserve.
Don’t wait until it is too late to seek fair compensation if you’ve been hurt in a T-bone car accident caused by a careless driver. Get help from lawyers who will stand up to insurance companies and fight for you. Contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today at (877) 809-5352 for a free initial case review. Talk with a Lexington T-bone car accident lawyer about your legal rights.
How Do Side-Impact Collisions Happen?
Most side-impact collisions result from driver error, distraction, or carelessness. One driver may fail to yield the right of way as required. The causes frequently include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving, including swerving in and out of traffic
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Illegal turns
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic
- Stopping in the middle of an intersection or blocking the box
- Not using turn signals
- Distracted driving, including using a cell phone, adjusting the radio or climate control, interacting with passengers, eating or drinking, or applying makeup
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Defective car parts
- Damaged roadways
- Broken or missing traffic signals
- Unsafe intersection designs
Injuries Caused by T-Bone Car Accidents
The severity of injuries caused by T-bone car accidents will depend on the speed and size of the vehicle that causes the impact. A driver or passenger in a smaller car or motorcycle will likely face more significant injuries if hit by someone driving a large SUV or truck. A side-impact or T-bone car accident can cause a wide range of devastating injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Ligament sprains or tears
- Muscle or tendon strains/tears
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Herniated disc injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal damage
- Facial injuries and eye damage
- Loss of limb or amputation injury
Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident in Lexington?
If you are involved in a T-bone or side-impact accident in Lexington, a determination of fault may not be needed under Kentucky’s “choice no-fault” rules. Under state law, drivers must carry car insurance that includes at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage unless they opt out of Kentucky’s no-fault insurance system.
If you have PIP coverage in your car insurance policy, you must first look to your insurer for coverage for your economic losses following an accident. PIP coverage provides money for your medical bills and other financial expenses and losses, such as loss of income due to missed work, regardless of who caused the accident. For this reason, PIP coverage is sometimes called “no-fault” coverage.
Under the no-fault system, drivers may not pursue a legal claim against another driver who caused the T-bone car crash unless they meet one of two criteria:
- The driver seeking to file suit against an at-fault motorist has incurred at least $1,000 in medical expenses, or
- The driver filing suit has suffered a qualifying injury, which included a fracture of a weight-bearing bone, a compound/compressed/displaced fracture of any bone, permanent disfigurement, any permanent injury, or any permanent loss of bodily function
If one of these two criteria applies, then you have the right to file suit against a driver at fault for the side-impact collision. After an accident involving serious injuries, your medical expenses may exceed the limits of our PIP coverage. You may need to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver
Drivers in Kentucky can opt out of the no-fault system when they purchase or renew their car insurance policy. A driver must sign a written form provided by the Kentucky Department of Insurance to reject PIP coverage and opt out of the no-fault system. By opting out, a driver reserves the right to pursue compensation for all their losses directly from an at-fault driver and their insurance company. But the driver also opens themselves up to being sued for a car accident in which they were at fault.
Determining which driver caused a T-bone car collision requires reviewing a variety of evidence, such as:
- Police accident reports
- Traffic citation or arrest records
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Dashcam footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident scene photos or video, including vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, traffic signals, visual obstructions, and road, weather, or lighting conditions
- Logs from vehicles’ electronic data recorders
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Post-crash vehicle inspection reports
In many cases, the driver who failed to yield the right of way in an intersection will be found at fault for a T-bone accident. However, the other driver may be partially responsible in certain circumstances, such as if the driver was speeding or unexpectedly stopped in the intersection. State or local traffic departments may also be responsible if a T-bone accident stemmed from inadequate road maintenance, malfunctioning traffic light, or an unsafe intersection design.
Contact a Lexington T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer for Help
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our attorneys know how difficult moving on after a devastating accident can be. Let us provide the Kentucky Courage needed to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions and to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Client Testimonials
I have worked with Kyle Salyer. He is exceptional. If I was ever injured, he is who I would call to represent me. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured and need a lawyer in south eastern Kentucky, call Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Sayler and ask for Kyle.
The firm took care of me on my disability case and helped me to get me approval for the disability. I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you.
★★★★★
I greatly appreciate the firm; Roy Collins and staff at the (Manchester office) for their diligence and perseverance in pursing my case. If you’re looking for a great lawyer, you should contact the office of Morgan, Collins, Yeast, and Salyer, PLLC.
