Glendale T-bone Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a T-bone car accident in Glendale, AZ? If so, you may be dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses. You never planned on being injured in a crash, so you’re likely wondering how you’ll make ends meet with these unexpected costs. Fortunately, you may be entitled to substantial compensation if someone else hits you.

At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C.,  our car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide variety of car accident cases, including T-bone crashes. We have the skills and resources necessary to seek fair compensation while you focus on healing. Contact our firm for a consultation to discuss your collision and legal options.

What Is a T-bone Accident?

A T-bone accident, also known as a broadside accident, occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another, resulting in a crash that forms the shape of a capital letter “T.”

Many T-bone accidents occur at intersections and along merge lanes on highways, where traffic from multiple directions crosses paths at varying speeds. These devastating collisions are especially common in merge zones and intersections throughout busy Phoenix suburbs like Glendale.

T-bone accidents can easily result in catastrophic injuries, especially to same-side vehicle occupants who get hit from the side. Broken glass, crumpled metal, and a relative lack of protection along the side of most cars can all contribute to life-changing or even fatal injuries for these victims.

What Are the Most Common Causes of T-bone Accidents in Glendale?

Here are just a few examples of some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents:

• Distracted driving – Drivers who are absorbed in phone calls, text messages, or other distractions are significantly more likely to overlook critical traffic signals and cause severe T-bone collisions.

• Driving under the influence – The effects of alcohol, recreational drugs, and certain medications can seriously impair safe driving abilities like depth perception and reaction time, which are crucial in preventing T-bone wrecks.

• Driver fatigue – Extreme fatigue can be just as debilitating as intoxication, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drowsy drivers are more likely to cause T-bone accidents due to blurred vision, loss of focus, or dozing off behind the wheel.

• Reckless driving – Drivers who engage in reckless behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and lane weaving have less room for error and less time to react quickly enough to prevent T-bone collisions.

• Driver error – Drivers who are inexperienced, confused, or rushed are more likely to make common errors, such as failure to yield the right of way, which can easily contribute to T-bone accidents.

• Defective car parts – When car parts are poorly manufactured or maintained, they can develop dangerous defects that contribute to wrecks. For instance, a T-bone wreck could occur if a car’s brakes failed in the middle of an intersection.

• Poor road conditions – Poor road conditions such as inadequate drainage or missing signage can lead to driver confusion or loss of control, increasing the risk of accidents like T-bone crashes.

 What Are Some Common Injuries Caused by T-bone Accidents?

T-bone accidents commonly result in debilitating injuries to vehicle occupants, such as:

• Head and neck injuries
• Facial injuries and dental trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Back and shoulder injuries
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Partial or total paralysis
• Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
• Dislocated or broken bones
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Amputation and loss of limb
• Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
• Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
• Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
• Emotional and psychological injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What Sort of Compensation Is Available for a T-bone Accident Lawsuit?

When you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after a Glendale T-bone accident, the goal is to recover enough compensation to make you “whole.” In essence, this means getting you back to the state you would be in if the accident had never occurred or as close as possible to that state.

To that end, you could be entitled to compensation for the following types of personal and financial losses in a T-bone accident claim:

• Medical expenses you incur for the treatment of your crash-related injuries
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as mileage expenses for medical appointments
• Lost wages and benefits from any time you miss work due to your injuries
• Projected losses in your future earning potential if your injuries are permanent
• The intangible costs of the pain, suffering, and lost quality of life you endure
• The costs of repairing or replacing damaged vehicles or other personal property

What If I Am Partially At Fault for the Accident?

If you know or suspect that an insurance company or court of law will hold you partially at fault for the accident, you may be wondering how this could impact your ability to recover. While being partly at fault could affect your claim, it might not eliminate your ability to seek compensation, as in some other states.

Arizona follows a legal doctrine known as pure comparative negligence. In a pure comparative negligence system, injured parties are entitled to demand compensation for their losses even if they are as much as 99 percent at fault. However, the compensation you can recover as a T-bone accident victim can be reduced based on the percentage of fault you are assigned for the crash.

For instance, let’s say your medical bills and other crash-related losses total $10,000, but a jury determines that you are 25 percent responsible for the accident. In this case, the most you could recover in an injury claim would be $7,500, which is equal to 75 percent of your losses.

What Is the Time Limit for a Car Accident Lawsuit in Glendale?

If you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit after a Glendale T-bone accident, you should know that you have just two years to do so under Arizona law. This two-year window begins on the date when the accident occurs, and if you miss it, you could lose your right to claim compensation. That’s why it’s essential to work with a seasoned car accident attorney who can keep your case on track.

Contact a Glendale T-bone Accident Lawyer Today

The Glendale car accident lawyers at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. are prepared to begin work on your case immediately when you reach out to us for help after a T-bone wreck. We can answer your questions and evaluate your case for free when you contact us for your initial strategy session.