If you or someone you know has been involved in a T-Bone automobile accident or RI side impact accident , then you are well aware of the logistical and legal nightmare that often ensues. Not only do you need to focus on physical recovery, you also have insurance companies and other affected parties involved in the accident to deal with.
You do have legal recourse, however, so it is important to enlist the assistance of a professional and qualified Rhode Island personal injury attorney specializing in a t-bone car accident. This is how you will protect your legal rights moving forward.
Broadside T-Bone Accident Statistics

This type of collision involves one vehicle being hit by either the front or rear of another car or truck. This forms a T shape, hence the name given to this potentially devastating type of accident. You might have heard these type of auto accidents referred to as being broadsided or impacted from the side, but the reality remains the same. These car accidents are particularly difficult to handle because they occur suddenly and without any notice.
Rhode Island t-bone accident lawyer
“Side impact car crashes (also called “T-bone accidents” or “broadside collisions”) tend to have a more devastating effect on the human body than all other types of car accidents, according to researchers at Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne. Side impact car accidents kill between 8,000 and 10,000 people each year, more than rear-end and head-on collisions combined. Even at speeds as low as 30 km/h, side impact car crashes routinely cause serious injuries to the occupants of the struck car.” Justice Pays
The Statistics Behind side impact Accidents
It is estimated that some form of a T-Bone collision directly causes more than half of all deaths related to an automobile accident. This type of collision is believed to be so deadly because of the lack of protection that the driver and passengers have. The only layer of protection that such an individual has is a thin layer of metal at the base of the door. This is simply enough to sustain the impact from such a devastating and powerful impact.
T-bone crash
A side-impact collision, commonly referred to as a T-bone crash, occurs when one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents typically happen at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield the right of way, runs a red light, or disregards a stop sign. T-bone crashes are particularly dangerous because the side of a vehicle provides less protection for occupants compared to the front and rear, and there is a higher risk of serious injuries.
Here are some key points to consider about side-impact collisions (T-bone crashes):
- Intersection Accidents: T-bone crashes often happen at intersections when one vehicle crosses the path of another.
- Vulnerable Side: The side of a vehicle has less structural reinforcement compared to the front and rear, making occupants more vulnerable to injury.
- Injuries: In a T-bone collision, the occupants on the side of the impact can suffer injuries to the head, chest, and lower extremities. Injuries can range from minor bruises to severe trauma, such as broken bones, internal injuries, and head injuries.
- Safety Features: Modern vehicles are equipped with side-impact airbags and other safety features to mitigate the impact and protect occupants in the event of a side collision.
- Liability: Determining liability in a T-bone crash is crucial. It often depends on factors such as who had the right of way and whether one driver violated traffic rules.
- Legal Consequences: If you are involved in a side-impact collision and it’s not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and options.
- Preventive Measures: To reduce the risk of T-bone crashes, it’s essential for drivers to obey traffic laws, be cautious at intersections, and avoid distracted driving. Defensive driving techniques can help minimize the risk of being involved in such accidents.
If you are involved in a side-impact collision, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and seek medical attention for any injuries. You should also report the accident to the authorities, exchange information with the other party involved, and consider contacting your insurance company. Consulting with a legal professional, especially if you believe the accident was not your fault, can help you navigate the legal and financial aspects of the situation.
Side impact collisions
“Passenger car drivers in side impact collisions experience substantially higher mortality compared to SUV drivers, especially when struck near side. Most of the mortality difference can be attributed to differences in vehicle mass. Efforts to mitigate the differences in mortality between vehicle types should include incentives to narrow the weight differences between vehicle types and improving the crashworthiness of smaller vehicles, particularly by strengthening the vehicle to withstand a lateral impact.” NCBI
Negligence Often Causes a T-Bone Accident in Rhode Island
While many of these collisions are caused purely by driver error, there is also a high likelihood that the culprit is due to a power outage or traffic light failure. When such an outage occurs, law enforcement officials are usually called upon to provide assistance, but it often comes too late. When traffic lights are out for any length of time, the potential for a T-Bone accident to occur at an un-manned intersection increases exponentially. Sadly, all too many drivers fail to revert to lessons learned long ago in how to drive under such conditions. This puts everyone on the road in a dangerous position, compounded when a potential deadly side impact collision occurs.
T-Bone accident in Rhode Island
If you or a loved one has become a victim of a T-Bone accident in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, you do not have to feel like just another statistic. Contact your local professional RI Injury law firm today to get the legal assistance that you deserve.
Fatal Phoenix T-bone collision
“PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) – A woman in her 60s was killed in a T-bone crash at 19th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road early Monday morning, according to the Phoenix Fire Department. Capt. Reda Bigler said a man in his 50s is in serious but stable condition following the wreck. He was transported to a trauma center. Police said the woman was traveling south on 19th Avenue when the man’s eastbound pickup truck hit the side of her car around 4:30 a.m. According to witnesses, the man sped up to try to make the green light. The impact pushed both vehicles across the intersection and over the curb.” AZFamily.com Driver Mortality in Paired Side Impact Collisions Due to Incompatible Vehicle Types, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine- AZ Family