A T-bone accident can change your life in an instant. If you were on the wrong end of one, a San Jose car accident lawyer can help you recover damages.
Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has been advocating for Californians since 2016. If you were involved in a side-impact crash, a T-bone accident lawyer in San Jose from our team can assist with your claim and help you pursue compensation.
How a San Jose T-Bone Accident Lawyer Can Help
Legal representation can make a world of difference in a T-bone accident case. A San Jose T-bone accident lawyer can help with your claim by:
- Investigating the crash: We can review police reports, traffic camera footage, vehicle damage, and witness statements to determine exactly how the collision occurred and who caused it.
- Calculating your damages: This includes current medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the psychological toll of the crash.
- Handling insurance negotiations: Insurers often minimize side-impact injuries or allege shared fault. We can manage all communication with them and push for a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Taking your case to court: If settlement negotiations fail, we can fight for you in court.
Types of Compensation Available After a T-Bone Crash
As a victim of a side-impact accident, you may be entitled to numerous types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and any future medical treatment related to the crash.
- Lost income: You can seek payment for wages you missed out on while recovering and for reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same type of work.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue damages for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and the ways your injuries have diminished your quality of life.
- Property damage: You can obtain compensation for repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the collision.
- Punitive damages: You can pursue punitive damages if the at-fault driver’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious.
A San Jose personal injury lawyer can help you put together a comprehensive claim.
What is the Time Limit to File a T-Bone Accident Claim in California?
Under CCP § 335.1, you typically have two years from the date of a California car crash to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover damages entirely, no matter how strong your case is.
A T-bone accident attorney in San Jose can help you file your claim as soon as possible.
Who is At Fault for a T-Bone Accident?
Fault in a T-bone accident is determined by evaluating which driver failed to follow traffic laws or exercise reasonable care at the time of the collision. Investigators look at traffic signals, stop signs, right-of-way rules, and witness statements to establish responsibility.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this system, if you are partially responsible for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 for your injuries but finds you to be 20% at fault for the accident, you will only recover $80,000.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents in San Jose
Most side-impact collisions happen because one driver makes a preventable mistake at or near an intersection. Common causes include:
- Running red lights or stop signs: Drivers who ignore traffic control devices can enter an intersection unlawfully and collide with another vehicle.
- Failure to yield: Turning left or entering an intersection without giving the right of way often leads to a side-impact crash.
- Distracted driving: Texting, using navigation systems, or taking attention off the road frequently causes drivers to miss signals or fail to see other vehicles.
- Speeding through intersections: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the force of a collision, making side-impact crashes more severe.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs can impair drivers’ judgment, coordination, and reaction time, significantly raising the risk of intersection accidents.
Injuries We Often See in Side-Impact Collisions
The injuries from a T-bone accident are frequently severe and long-lasting due to the direct force on the vehicle’s side. Common injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can occur even without direct impact to the head.
- Neck and spinal cord injuries: These can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or even permanent paralysis.
- Chest and abdominal injuries: Broken ribs, internal bleeding, and organ damage are common.
- Pelvic and hip fractures: Side impacts often crush doors inward, causing serious lower-body injuries.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress often stem from these types of accidents.
Contact Our T-Bone Accident Attorneys in San Jose
The car accident claims process can be overwhelming, especially if you are still recovering from a major crash. A San Jose T-bone accident attorney from Omega Law Group can guide you through every stage of the process and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
Schedule a free consultation to get help with your claim.