If you’ve been in a T-bone accident in Mississippi, you might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. T-bone accidents happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents can cause serious injuries and damage.
Below, a Mississippi car accident lawyer discusses what causes T-bone accidents, what to do if you’ve been in one, and how a lawyer can get you the money you deserve for your injuries and damages. To better understand your rights and options as a T-bone accident victim, consult a Mississippi car accident attorney directly.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are one of the most common and dangerous types of car accidents. They often happen at intersections when one driver doesn’t yield the right of way to another.
Some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents in Mississippi include:
- Running a red light or stop sign: When drivers ignore a traffic signal and enter an intersection, they risk hitting another vehicle with the right of way.
- Making an improper left turn: Turning left requires yielding to oncoming traffic. If a driver misjudges the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle, they may turn in front of it and cause a T-bone collision.
- Distracted driving: Drivers texting, talking on the phone, eating, or not paying attention to the road are more likely to cause accidents, including T-bone crashes.
- Speeding: Driving too fast makes stopping in time to avoid a collision harder. Speeding drivers cannot react quickly enough when another vehicle enters their path.
- Drunk driving: Alcohol impairs a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to operate a vehicle safely. Drunk drivers cause a significant portion of T-bone accidents.
- Poor visibility: Rain, fog, glare, and other conditions that reduce visibility can contribute to T-bone accidents if drivers can’t see each other.
Determining Fault in a T-Bone Accident
To get compensation for your injuries and damages after a T-bone accident, you’ll need to prove that the other driver was at fault. Mississippi follows a “fault” system for car accidents, which means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying for the damages.
Proving fault in a T-bone accident can be tricky. In some cases, it’s clear who was at fault – for example, if one driver ran a red light and hit another vehicle with a green light. However, in other cases, both drivers may share some blame for the accident.
Evidence that can help prove fault in a T-bone accident includes:
- Police report: The responding police officer will create an accident report detailing how the crash occurred, who was involved, and whether anyone broke traffic laws.
- Witness statements: If anyone else saw the accident, their testimony can be valuable in determining fault. Get names and contact information from any witnesses at the scene.
- Traffic camera footage: Some intersections have cameras that record traffic. This footage can show exactly what happened before, during, and after the crash.
- Vehicle damage: The location and extent of damage to each vehicle can provide clues about how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
- Medical records: Your medical records document your injuries and connect them to the accident. This evidence is important for proving the extent of your damages.
An experienced car accident attorney can help gather and analyze this evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. They can also communicate and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company to ensure you get a fair settlement offer.
Damages You Can Recover After a T-Bone Accident
If you’ve suffered an injury in a T-bone accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Damages are losses you’ve suffered due to the accident, which can be economic (financial) or non-economic (emotional).
Some common types of damages in a T-bone accident case include:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are one of the most significant damages in a T-bone accident case. This includes any bills related to diagnosing and treating your accident injuries, such as:
- Ambulance transportation to the hospital
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries
- Doctor’s appointments
- Prescription medication
- Medical devices (e.g., crutches, braces)
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Mental health counseling
- In-home care services
- Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability
Your lawyer will work with your healthcare providers to gather all relevant medical records and bills to document the full extent of your medical expenses. They may also consult with medical professionals to determine your anticipated future medical needs, such as ongoing treatment or surgeries, and include those costs in your damage demand.
It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a T-bone accident, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Some injuries, like concussions, may not show symptoms right away but can still cause long-term problems if left untreated. Promptly getting diagnosed also helps create a clear link between the accident and your injuries, which is crucial for your case.
Lost Income
Accident injuries can prevent you from working while you recover, leading to lost income. Lost income damages compensate you for the money you may have earned had you not been injured in the T-bone accident.
To prove lost income, you’ll need documentation from your employer showing your normal pay rate and the hours or days you missed due to the accident. If you’re self-employed, you may need to provide tax returns or other financial documents to establish your typical income.
In addition to actual lost income, you can also recover damages for loss of earning capacity if your injuries will impact your ability to work in the future.
For example, if you sustained a permanent disability that prevented you from returning to your previous job, you can claim the difference in pay between what you were earning at your old job and what you can now earn. Proving loss of earning capacity usually requires testimony from vocational psychologists and economists.
Property Damage
T-bone accidents often cause significant damage to the vehicles involved and any personal belongings inside them. Property damage in an accident case can include:
- Cost of repairs to your vehicle
- Rental car expenses while your vehicle undergoes repairs
- Diminished value of your vehicle due to the accident
- Replacement cost of your vehicle if it’s declared a total loss
- Damage to personal items inside the vehicle, such as electronics, clothing, or luggage
You’ll need a detailed repair estimate from a trusted mechanic or body shop to prove property damage. You may also need to provide receipts, appraisals, or other documentation of the value of damaged personal items.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to lowball you on property damage by using cheaper aftermarket parts or not accounting for your vehicle’s diminished value. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance adjuster to ensure you get fair compensation for your property damage.
Pain and Suffering
Not all damages in a T-bone accident case are economic. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain, emotional anguish, and mental trauma you’ve experienced due to the accident and your injuries.
Examples of pain and suffering can include:
- Physical pain from your injuries
- Emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Embarrassment or humiliation from visible scars or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship if your injuries have impacted your relationships
- Inconvenience from having to attend medical appointments or therapy
Pain and suffering damages can be difficult to quantify since there’s no objective way to measure someone’s subjective experience. Factors that can influence the value of pain and suffering damages include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Length of your recovery period
- Whether you have any permanent impairments or disabilities
- Strength of your supporting medical evidence
- The credibility of your testimony about how the accident has impacted you
A skilled car accident lawyer is especially important for maximizing pain and suffering damages. Your lawyer can use their experience with similar cases to value your pain and suffering fairly and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Closely related to pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life damages compensate accident victims for the ways their injuries have prevented them from participating in activities they previously enjoyed.
This can include:
- Inability to play sports or engage in favorite hobbies
- Difficulty traveling or taking vacations
- Missing out on important family milestones or events
- Loss of independence if you now require assistance with daily tasks
To prove loss of enjoyment of life damages, you may need to provide testimony from friends, family members, or coworkers about how your lifestyle has changed since the accident. Medical or occupational specialists can also testify about the limitations your injuries have placed on your ability to engage in certain activities.
While it’s impossible to truly put a price on the ability to enjoy your life, loss of enjoyment damages attempt to compensate you for this very real form of loss after a T-bone accident. These damages acknowledge the impact on your quality of life and seek to provide some measure of compensation for the intangible losses experienced.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, T-bone accident victims can recover punitive and other damages. Punitive damages aim to penalize the wrongdoer and deter similar misconduct in the future.
To get punitive damages, you generally need to show that the at-fault driver’s actions went beyond mere negligence and involved a reckless or intentional disregard for the safety of others.
Some examples of conduct that can potentially warrant punitive damages include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Excessive speeding or street racing
- Purposely running a red light or stop sign
- Intentionally hitting another vehicle in a fit of road rage
It’s important not to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company without speaking to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters aim to pay out as little as possible, and their initial offer may not fully compensate you for your damages. A lawyer can assess the value of your case and negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.
The Role of a Lawyer in a T-Bone Accident Case
Dealing with the aftermath of a T-bone accident can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to recover from injuries at the same time. Hiring a skilled car accident attorney can take that burden off your shoulders and ensure your rights are protected.
Some of the ways a lawyer can assist with your T-bone accident case include:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to prove the fault
- Identifying all potential sources of compensation, such as the other driver’s insurance policy and your own underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
- Calculating the full value of your damages, including future anticipated medical needs
- Handling all communication with the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery
- Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement offer
- Prepare your case for trial if you cannot achieve a satisfactory settlement.
- Advocating for your best interests at every stage of the process
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront; they only get paid if they win money for you. You have nothing to lose by scheduling a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your options.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Being involved in a T-bone accident is a traumatic experience that can impact every facet of your life. You may be facing mounting medical bills, missed time from work, and significant pain and suffering – all because of someone else’s careless actions.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the legal process alone. Working with a knowledgeable Mississippi car accident lawyer lets you focus on your recovery while they handle the rest.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a T-bone accident, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. Schedule a free consultation with a local personal injury lawyer today to discuss your case, understand your rights, and explore options for seeking compensation and justice. Taking proactive steps now can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and allow you to move forward confidently.
