Fairfax, VA T-Bone Accident Lawyer

Experienced T-Bone Accident Lawyers Pursuing Compensation for Injured Victims in Fairfax, Virginia

Many people who are injured in car accidents did not see a collision coming and had no way to avoid the situation. This is true in many cases where accidents take place at intersections. A person may be traveling through an intersection after a traffic light has turned green or after stopping at a stop sign, and they may be broadsided by another person who ignored the traffic signal. These accidents, which are commonly known as T-bone collisions, can be incredibly dangerous, and they can result in multiple types of severe injuries.

The team at Shevlin Smith, P.C. works with victims of dangerous car accidents to hold negligent drivers responsible and recover compensation for the damages that have occurred. Our lawyer can investigate a crash, gather evidence to show that a driver violated traffic laws or engaged in other forms of negligence, and provide representation when negotiating with insurance companies. By providing honest, personalized representation, he will work to secure full and fair compensation that will address a victim's financial losses and other damages.

Where T-Bone Accidents Can Happen

Side-impact collisions usually take place at intersections or other locations where vehicles cross paths, including:

Intersections With Traffic Signals

T-bone crashes can happen when a driver runs a red light and strikes another vehicle. A driver may speed up to try to get through an intersection after a light has turned yellow, but they may not enter the intersection until the light has turned red. This may lead them to collide with cross traffic that has already begun to move.

Intersections With Stop Signs

At four-way stops and two-way stops, drivers are required to yield and follow right-of-way rules. When a driver does not come to a complete stop, they may pull into an intersection and cause a side-impact crash. Accidents can also occur at two-way stops when drivers do not realize that cross traffic is not required to stop. Failure to stop correctly can lead to collisions in residential neighborhoods or other locations.

Parking Lot Entries and Driveways

Shopping centers, parking garages, and commercial or residential driveways are locations where T-bone crashes can occur. A driver may pull into a road without making sure a lane is clear or that there is a big enough gap in traffic. This can place them in the path of other vehicles, and drivers may have no way to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.

Traffic Violations That May Lead to Side-Impact Collisions

T-bone accidents are often caused by violations of traffic laws. Drivers who do not stop at red lights when required may crash into other vehicles in an intersection. A driver who does not yield the right-of-way when required may turn in front of another vehicle, giving them no opportunity to slow down. Collisions can also occur because of speeding or other forms of reckless driving that prevent a driver from being able to swerve out of the way of cross traffic.

Drunk driving may also be a factor in a T-bone crash. A driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be more likely to take dangerous actions like running red lights. Vision problems may cause them to fail to notice a stop sign, leading to a collision when they proceed through an intersection without stopping. They will also be more likely to misjudge the speed of other vehicles or lose control while driving, leading them to strike another vehicle from the side.

Evidence Used to Establish Negligence in T-Bone Cases

Proving that driver negligence was the cause of a T-bone accident will often require evidence. In the aftermath of a crash, one driver may blame another for a collision, and determining who was at fault may be based on one person's word against another's. Our lawyer can act quickly to gather and preserve the evidence needed to build a strong case, including:

Police Reports

When 911 is called after a crash, an officer will come to the scene, speak with the drivers and any witnesses, and review the facts to determine what happened. They may issue a citation for a traffic violation. Police reports can be used to determine who was at fault, including in situations where a driver caused an accident by running a red light or committing another violation.

Traffic and Surveillance Camera Footage

Traffic cameras at major intersections will often capture accidents that took place. Private businesses like gas stations or stores near an intersection may also have security cameras that captured a collision. This footage can be used to show which vehicle had the right of way and identify violations that occurred. Our attorney can act quickly to request and preserve footage before it is overwritten.

Witness Statements

People who saw a crash from nearby vehicles, sidewalks, or businesses can provide accounts of what happened. A witness who observed a driver who ran a red light or failed to stop at a sign can provide a statement showing that the driver who committed the violation caused the accident.

Medical Records

After an accident, a victim may receive medical treatment. The documentation related to that treatment can show the nature and locations of their injuries. This may help to determine how a crash occurred. The injuries that occur in T-bone collisions often follow consistent patterns, and they can show the direction of impact, the speed at which a vehicle was traveling, and other factors that can point to driver negligence.

Contact Our Fairfax T-Bone Collision Attorney

After a side-impact collision, you may be struggling with serious injuries. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney can help you take steps to hold a negligent driver responsible. He will fight to secure compensation on your behalf. Contact our Fairfax, VA T-bone accident lawyer at 703-591-0067 to schedule your free consultation.