Understanding Rear-End, T-Bone, and Head-On Collisions
Each year, more than 5.2 million people require medical attention for a motor vehicle crash. A crash can result in a brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal bleeding, and broken bones, disrupting much more than your dinner plans. As a car accident victim, you may require hospitalization, reconstructive surgery, and physical therapy to heal completely.
As a Tennessee driver, you must understand what risks you face when you get behind the wheel. The Nashville car accident attorneys at Bednarz & Bednarz can assess your rights based on the type of collision you experienced and who should be responsible.
Rear-End Collisions
More than 2.5 million rear-end crashes take place each year. By far the most common and often the deadliest type of collision, rear-end crashes can lead to serious injuries, including herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, broken ribs, whiplash, and concussions. A rear-end collision may be caused by distracted driving, tailgating, or bald tires, which prevent you from braking in time in slippery conditions. Rear-end collisions are common in cities and other municipalities with dense traffic, where motorists are constantly stopping and going. In many rear-end crashes, the rear driver is found at fault.
T-Bone Collisions
T-bone collisions, also known as sideswipe accidents, involve the front of one vehicle hitting the side of another, forming a “T.” An estimated 8,000 people are killed in T-bone collisions annually, with thousands more injured. Common causes of T-bone accidents include running a red light, speeding through an intersection, failing to yield, and taking a dangerous left turn. In many cases, the driver may be engaged in another activity behind the wheel, leading them to ignore a traffic signal or sign. Fault in a T-bone collision is not always straightforward, requiring accident reconstructionists to examine skid marks, event data recorders (devices installed in most vehicles that record data), surveillance footage, and other evidence.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles collide head-on, or when a vehicle collides with a fixed object. While rarer, a head-on collision is the deadliest type of crash, taking the lives of 5,800 people in 2023. Head-on collisions can result in severe and catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, fractures, broken ribs, and damage to abdominal organs. This type of crash may be caused by a driver crossing over the center line or traveling the wrong way. Liability is not always clear-cut, so a thorough investigation is required.
Potential Damages in a Car Accident Case
If you have been in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:
- Ambulatory services
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries and procedures
- Prescription costs
- Physical therapy and other rehabilitative therapies
- Home modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and society
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Permanent disability
Damages may be physical, emotional, or financial. While economic damages (losses involving out-of-pocket costs) are easier to calculate, you deserve compensation for non-economic damages as well. Different methods are used to calculate non-economic damages, including the per diem method and multiplier method. If you are ready to learn the strength of your accident claim, our Nashville car accident lawyers are here to help.
Reach Out to a Nashville Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a crash, our legal team would like to speak with you. The Nashville car accident lawyers have helped numerous injured parties recoup maximum compensation. Let us put our knowledge, skills, and experience to work for you. To arrange your free consultation, contact Bednarz & Bednarz online or by calling (615) 623-8789.
