In the busy streets of New York, T-bone accidents are some of the most common, and as the medical and financial strains continue to mount, you would want to know about recovering compensation for your damages and helping with the expenses. While you can expect settlements between $25,000 and $500,000 or more, it is impossible for us to give an exact figure since your compensation is largely based on factors like severity of injuries, fault, insurance coverage, property damage, etc.

In this post, as your car accident lawyer in NYC, we will walk you through everything you need to know about T-bone accidents and what you will need to do to protect your rights and claim the compensation you deserve.

What is a T-bone accident?

A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact collision, is an accident where one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming the shape of a “T.” You will see a lot of T-bone accidents in intersections being caused by one or more drivers failing to yield the right of way, running red lights, or making illegal turns. 

What are the most common injuries in T-bone accidents?

As a Queens car accident lawyer, we can tell you that T-bone accidents are among the more serious types of car accidents because of the limited protection on the sides of the vehicle. Unfortunately, it is common to see T-bone accident victims have one or more of the following serious and life-threatening injuries that are followed by extensive medical treatment and long periods of rehabilitation, such as 

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), 
• Full or partial paralysis,
• Whiplash and other neck injuries,
• Damage to internal organs, 
• Multiple fractures, and 
• Severe lacerations.  

What factors determine your T-bone accident settlement in New York?

Like we mentioned at the beginning, it is quite hard for us to pin down exact figures for what constitutes an average settlement for a T-bone accident. This is because the final value is determined based on a number of factors that include— 

• The severity of the injuries and medical expenses—The extent of your injuries plays a large part in determining your compensation. If your injuries are “serious injuries” that require long-term or even lifelong treatments and rehabilitation, you are very likely to receive a higher settlement.
• Lost wages and earning potential—If the injuries force you to miss work, or prevent you from returning to work, or manifest in a disability that prevents you from working in the future, the compensation you receive will reflect these considerations. 
• Liability of the accident—In New York, under the pure comparative negligence rule, when both parties share the blame for the accident, any compensation awarded will be reduced to reflect the percentage of fault attributed. 
• Damage to property—Damages caused to vehicles and any other personal property, repair, and replacement costs are additional factors that can be considered when determining your final settlement. 

How can I claim compensation for T-bone accidents?

When it comes to claiming compensation for car accident injuries in New York, there are two options—insurance claims and lawsuits. Since New York is a ‘no-fault’ state, you can claim compensation for any injuries you have suffered in a car accident from your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of your fault in the accident. But keep in mind that your PIP coverage caps at $50,000. Should you need more, you can also claim from the other person’s liability insurance. If the T-bone accident involved an uninsured motorist, your uninsured motorist coverage can step in to cover the rest. 

However, if you have suffered basic economic damages that exceed $50,000 or have suffered a “serious injury,” you are allowed to file legal action in the form of a personal injury lawsuit. Alongside standard economic damages, you will also be able to claim compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, mental distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

In a situation where the accident caused the death of a loved one, the family can ask the representative of the deceased’s estate to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. Through the wrongful death lawsuit, you can claim funeral costs and damages for the loss of a partner or parent.

Conclusion 

A T-bone accident can be a serious accident that can result in serious, life-threatening, and even lifelong injuries. However, any settlement you will receive for the incident will depend on factors such as the severity of the injury, fault, and medical costs, among others, as well as how well you are able to present your case. 

If you want a New York City auto accident attorney that knows the law like the back of their hands, gathers the evidence you need, and is able to present a strong and compelling case that helps you secure the compensation you deserve, Gabriel Law is the place for you. Contact us, schedule your free consultations, and tell us your story.