If you’ve been injured or suffered the tragic death of a family member in a T-Bone accident in Santa Rosa, California, don’t hesitate to call Singleton Schreiber. T-Bone accidents are arguably one of the most catastrophic types of collisions, and you shouldn’t have to struggle with the burdensome costs and suffering on your own.
Our Santa Rosa motor vehicle accident lawyers can help you fight for the financial justice you deserve.
How Common Are T-Bone Accidents?
T-Bone accidents, which are also known as side-impact or broadside collisions - account for about 25 percent of all traffic accidents and 40 percent of collisions resulting in a serious injury.
Broadside accidents cause about 8,000 car accident fatalities annually, which represent 22 percent of all traffic accident deaths across the nation.
According to California state crash data, 155 T-Bone car accidents were recorded in 2023, accounting for 30 percent of the city’s auto accidents. That’s one T-Bone collision nearly every other day.
While none of Santa Rosa’s broadside accidents were fatal that year, at least 218 people were injured in these side-impact collisions.
Why Are T-Bone Accidents So Serious?
When the front of one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another vehicle, it’s classified as a T-Bone crash. These accidents tend to be severe because of the way that cars are designed. The front and back of vehicles are designed to absorb the force of impact when there’s a collision.
T-Bone car accidents are serious because the sides of cars aren’t typically designed to absorb the force of impact in a collision. Rather, the front and rear of the vehicle are designed to crumple upon impact to prevent the frame from collapsing on vehicle occupants.
When a car is broadsided, the force of impact transfers to passengers and the driver. As a result, occupants can suffer catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crushing injuries, and badly broken bones. The consequences of a T-bone accident can be particularly devastating when a vehicle lacks side impact airbags.
What Causes Most T-Bone Car Accidents?
While side-impact collisions can happen anywhere, they’re most often seen when vehicles are in or approaching an intersection.
Some of the primary causes include:
- Driver distraction, causing a driver to run a red light or stop sign
- Drug and alcohol use, impairing a driver’s ability to analyze complex traffic situations
- Drowsy driving, causing a driver to fall asleep at the wheel or have trouble seeing signs and signals
- Speeding, especially when a driver attempts to beat a yellow or red light
- Aggressive driving
- Miscalculating the amount of time a driver has to execute a turn safely
- Swerving to miss a pedestrian or bicyclist in an intersection
When a driver’s negligence contributes to a T-Bone car accident in Santa Rosa, victims reserve the right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver directly and/or their insurance company.
Helping You Maximize Your T-Bone Accident Recovery
Singleton Schreiber can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages after a Santa Rosa T-Bone accident.
We’ll conduct a thorough independent investigation, consult experts in accident reconstruction and forensics, evaluate key pieces of evidence, and work to build a claim that helps you not only win your T-Bone accident case, but maximize your recovery.
You’ll only have two years from the date of your broadside collision to take legal action, so contact our Santa Rosa injury attorneys for help today. Your first consultation is free.
About Car Accidents
- Car Accident Overview
- Getting a Car Accident Report in Santa Rosa
- Insurance Minimums
- Liability in Car Accidents
- Time Limits for Car Accident Claims in California
Car Accident Injuries
- Bruising and Contusions
- Chest Injuries
- Delayed Injuries
- Low-Impact Car Accident Injuries
- Seatbelt Injuries
Types of Car Accidents