It is estimated that between 8,500 and 10,000 Americans are killed each year by side impact car accidents.
T-Bone car accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, often have a more devastating effect on the human body than all other types of auto accidents. Even at lower speeds, a t-bone accident tends to cause serious injuries to the people in the struck car.
Safety features such as side airbags, seat belts, and bumpers are meant to protect drivers and passengers from a side impact but the fact is the occupants are left relatively unprotected. As a result, injuries can be serious, often life-threatening.
What Makes T-Bone Accidents so Dangerous?
When a vehicle hits the front or back of another vehicle, there are several feet of steel, engine, trunk, bumper and so forth to protect the occupants inside. But when a car is t-boned or hit on the side, there is only a door and a window between the person and the other car. That is why side impact collisions often result in fatalities.
It is estimated that between 8,500 and 10,000 Americans are killed each year by side impact car accidents. Even though newer cars must meet federal side-impact safety standards, many question whether these standards are really that safe.
T-Bone Car Accident Injuries
The different possible types of injuries from a t-bone car accident can vary greatly. So much depends on the speed of both cars, the exact location of the impact, and where the passengers and driver are in relation to the impact. Some of the more common types of injuries from side impact collisions include:
- Concussion and TBI
- Lacerations from shattered glass
- Herniated discs in the back and neck
- Dislocated limbs
- Internal organ injuries
- Crush injuries
- Chest injuries
For people riding on the side that is struck, severe injuries are most commonly delivered to the neck, followed by the head, chest, legs, and abdomen and pelvis. For those riding on the opposite side, the most common type is head injuries.
Speak with a St. Louis Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been involved in a t-bone car accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before you speak with a lawyer. We can help you avoid making statements that may be taken out of context and later used against you by the insurance company. If you were injured or lost a family member, call our 24-hour attorney call center at (314) 361-4242 or fill out our online case evaluation form for a FREE consultation.