What to Do After a T-Bone Accident?
If you have been involved in a T-bone accident, you may require surgery in combination with physical therapy to fully heal. This does not begin to cover the damage done to your vehicle. Between medical expenses, lost time from work, and the cost for a mechanic to repair your vehicle, your head may be spinning.
In this article, our Davidson County car accident lawyers discuss the prevalence of T-bone accidents and steps you should take in the aftermath of a crash.
T-Bone or Side Impact Collisions
In 2021, approximately 3,000 passengers using restraints were killed in side impact crashes. A “T-bone” collision occurs when two vehicles collide, with the front of one vehicle striking the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape.
There are a few reasons that T-bone accidents occur:
- Running a red light
- Failing to yield right-of-way
- Failing to see another vehicle while merging
Steps to Take Following a T-Bone Accident
What steps you should take following a car accident depends on certain factors. We have compiled the following list to guide you if you fall victim to a T-bone accident:
- Stop your vehicle at the accident scene to check if anyone suffered bodily injury or fatal injuries
- Call 911 if anyone requires medical attention
- Render reasonable medical assistance to anyone who is injured
- If a car accident results in any fatalities, injuries, or property damage exceeding $1,500, then you have a legal obligation to contact the police
- Seek medical treatment if you have suffered any injuries
- Exchange your name, address, and insurance information with the other drivers
- Cooperate with law enforcement
- Contact a Davidson County car accident lawyer
Gather Evidence
You need to document your injuries, the crash itself, and other information that will point to liability. The following types of information can be helpful in proving negligence in a car crash:
Video Footage
Whether it be a dashcam, cell phone footage, or bodycam, any footage that depicts the accident unfolding can be invaluable to your claim.
Photographs
Following your crash, you will want to take pictures of the vehicle wreckage, any identifying landmarks, and your own injuries. Photographs can be used as supporting evidence when submitting your demand package to insurance.
Additionally, Tennessee used red-light cameras, which automatically snap a photo if someone crosses through an intersection once the light turns red. A car accident attorney has experience in requesting this type of information and can assist you accordingly.
Witness Testimony
A bystander or any witness’s testimony can be powerful in swaying a jury, since it comes from an impartial, third-party. If you see bystanders after the accident, if possible, you will want to take their names and phone numbers down. Your attorney may need to call on them later on to testify.
A Davidson County Car Accident Lawyer Committed to Helping You
“To err is human.” Even so, if a motorist’s carelessness causes a T-bone accident, that person should be held responsible for your losses. If you have been in a car collision in Davidson County or the surrounding area, do not hesitate to contact our legal team. To schedule your free consultation, contact us by phone or by completing our online contact form.