Side Impact/T-Bone Car Accidents in Queens
There are three main directions from which two vehicles can collide: the front, the back, and the side. While any of these three could result in serious damage and injuries, side impact/T-bone car accidents in Queens are often particularly catastrophic.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in any of these types of crashes, the team of lawyers at Goldstein & Bashner has decades of combined experience. Our determined car accident attorneys could help you overcome the challenges of filing insurance claims and recover the financial compensation you need to take care of yourself and your family.
Why Are These Types of Collisions So Dangerous?
Side-impact car collisions in Queens typically happen when a driver speeds through an intersection, ignoring a stop sign or red light. They are also known as T-bone crashes because when one car collides with the side of another, the two vehicles form the shape of the letter T.
What makes this type of collision so dangerous, and sometimes deadly, is the lack of protection for the people inside. Innovations in the design of modern motor vehicles have created what are called crumple zones at the front and back of a car, including the engine space and the trunk. These act as a sort of cushion that absorbs some of the force from the other vehicle before it reaches the people inside.
However, there are no crumple zones on the sides of the vehicle. This means there is nothing but the door between the other car and the driver and passengers, so they receive nearly the full force of the collision. If the car is traveling at a high speed, the force of the impact could have devastating results, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ trauma. In the most tragic circumstances, someone may lose their life.
Navigating the Insurance and Legal Process
With the high likelihood of very serious injuries or even death in a side-impact vehicle wreck, victims and their families in Queens face growing medical expenses and other losses. New York is one of the states that have adopted no-fault insurance, meaning that regardless of who was ultimately at fault for an accident, everyone must first use their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for things such as hospital bills, lost income, and property damage. Usually, individuals could receive about $50,000 through their PIP.
The PIP coverage provides a quicker and more stable way for victims to recover compensation. However, because the types of injuries from T-bone crashes can be catastrophic, victims’ PIP is often not enough to cover everything.
If this is the case, victims may be able to close the gap by filing a legal claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. Additionally, if the injuries are permanent or have long-term complications, victims may be eligible to seek other damages in their claim. This could include emotional distress, disability, and pain and suffering. A knowledgeable attorney could review the case and help victims understand what they may recover.
Contact an Attorney About a T-Bone Auto Wreck in Queens
After a crash, the last thing you want is to deal with the insurance companies. A lawyer experienced with side impact/T-bone car accidents in Queens could handle the legal work while you focus on your healing.
Our attorneys are prepared to support you from the very beginning through the resolution of your case. Contact Goldstein & Bashner to discuss your situation in an initial consultation.
