Personal Injury Lawyer

Laredo Texas

T-Bone/Broadside Accident Lawyer in Laredo

We take your broadside accident seriously right from the start

Were you injured in a T-bone car accident in Texas? Wondering what you should do next? John R. Solis, Attorney at Law and his experienced legal team in Laredo can help you every step of the way. We know how the legal system works in Texas and we have the results to prove it.

T-bone accidents - also sometimes referred to as broadside accidents - often involve negligence. That's because one driver crashed into the side of another vehicle. If the other driver crashed into the side of your car, odds are the other driver was clearly at fault.

There are many factors in car accidents that need to be carefully considered after a crash. That's why it's important to talk to an attorney right away after your T-bone accident. Car accident attorney John R. Solis can explain all the legal options available to you and which approach makes the most sense for your accident.

What is a T-bone accident?

A T-bone accident, also called a broadside crash, happens when the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another. The impact forms a “T” shape, which is how this type of crash gets its name. These wrecks usually happen at intersections and often involve one driver ignoring a traffic law, stop sign or red light.

T-bone accidents are especially dangerous because the sides of cars offer much less protection than the front or back. When someone is T-boned, the force of the impact can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you were hit in a T-bone crash in Laredo, John can help you file a lawsuit and fight for fair compensation.

What are common causes of T-bone accidents?

T-bone crashes in Texas almost always happen when a driver ignores a traffic law or fails to yield the right of way. Whether your broadside crash happened at the intersection of Mann Road and Santa Maria Avenue or on another busy street, these accidents can be especially dangerous because they often occur at high speed.

Most T-bone crashes are caused by preventable driver mistakes:

  • Running a red light is one of the leading causes of broadside accidents. Drivers who try to beat the light or don’t see the signal often crash into cars that have the right of way.
  • Failure to yield when turning left at an intersection is another common cause. A driver may misjudge how fast the other car is coming or try to rush through a gap in traffic.
  • Stop sign violations happen when drivers don’t stop fully or roll through, causing them to crash into the side of another car.
  • Making unsafe right turns into fast-moving traffic can lead to the side of the car being struck.
  • Distracted driving such as texting, adjusting the radio or looking at GPS directions increases the risk of missing traffic signs or signals.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs slows reaction time and makes it harder to follow traffic laws.

These crashes usually happen in intersections or driveways where drivers are turning. When someone causes a crash by ignoring a traffic rule, they should be held responsible for their actions. A Laredo T-bone accident attorney at our firm can investigate what happened and help you demand the money you deserve, either through a settlement or lawsuit.

What are common T-bone accident injuries?

T-bone accidents often cause severe injuries, especially for the person sitting on the side of the car that was hit. Because the side of a vehicle doesn’t absorb much of the force, passengers can be thrown sideways or crushed on impact. Many injuries are painful, require extensive medical care and take weeks or months to heal. For example:

  • Broken bones in the ribs, pelvis, arms or legs are common due to the force of the side impact.
  • Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, can happen if your head hits the window, door or seat.
  • Spinal cord injuries may cause back pain, nerve damage or even paralysis.
  • Whiplash and neck injuries result from the sharp jolt of the crash and can cause long-lasting pain and stiffness.
  • Internal injuries to organs like the lungs or liver (or internal bleeding) can be life-threatening and may not show symptoms right away.
  • Cuts and bruises from broken glass, metal, or flying objects inside the car are also common.

No matter how mild your symptoms seem at first, always have a medical professional examine you after your T-bone crash. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or brain trauma, may not appear right away. A Laredo lawyer can make sure your medical treatment and future care needs are included as part of your financial settlement or verdict. Don’t let an insurance company downplay your injuries or dictate what happens next. Take back control.

Common legal issues you may face

If another driver clearly crashed into the side of your car, you might think there might not be a lot of complicated legal issues after your crash. But there are many problems that can quickly arise after a T-bone accident, including:

  • The other driver denies causing the T-bone accident.
  • The other driver blames you for causing the collision.
  • There is inaccurate information contained in the official police report.
  • The insurance company denies your broadside accident claim.
  • The other driver's insurance company makes a lowball settlement offer.

Whatever legal issues you're dealing with - no matter how complicated or straightforward they might seem - our law firm knows how to handle them effectively and make sure your accident receives the attention it rightfully deserves.

Who’s at fault in a T-bone accident?

Fault in a T-bone accident usually comes down to who failed to follow the rules of the road. In many cases, the driver who ran a red light, ignored a stop sign or failed to yield is responsible. If the other driver entered the intersection illegally or recklessly, they can be held liable (legally responsible) for your crash.

But not all broadside crashes are open and shut. Sometimes both drivers claim they had the right of way. In Texas, fault can be shared between drivers based on who was more responsible. And if you are found to be partially at fault, your injury claim could be reduced by your percentage of fault.

That’s why it’s important to collect evidence, talk to witnesses and get help from a lawyer who knows how to prove fault. A Laredo T-bone accident attorney can carefully review your crash and find the facts you need to build a strong legal case that proves you did nothing wrong. They’ll work to show that the other driver broke a traffic rule and caused your injuries. That’s often the key to getting a full T-bone accident settlement.

How is fault determined for a T-bone accident?

Proving fault after a T-bone crash requires evidence and a clear understanding of Texas traffic laws. You’ll need to show that the other driver made an error that caused the accident. Texas uses a “comparative fault” system, which means more than one driver can be partially at fault.

Evidence often used to determine who was at fault in a broadside accident includes:

  • Police reports are often the first step. If the investigating Laredo police officer or Texas state trooper cites the other driver for running a light or failing to yield, that’s strong evidence in support of your case.
  • Witness statements can support your version of events and help confirm who had the right of way.
  • Traffic cameras or dashcam videos may have caught the moment of impact or what happened just before the crash.
  • Vehicle damage patterns often show which car struck the other and from what direction.
  • Intersection layout and road signs help clarify what each driver was supposed to do.

Your attorney can review all of this information to build a strong, compelling case. If you were T-boned in Laredo, proving the other driver’s actions caused your crash can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies may try to blame you, but solid evidence can strengthen your injury claim or lawsuit.

What is the average payout for a T-bone accident?

There’s no single “average payout for T-bone accident” cases because every crash is different. The value of your case often depends on many different factors, including the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery and many other legal and medical issues. Your settlement or verdict should cover:

  • Medical expenses such as ambulance fees, emergency room care, surgery, hospital stays, follow-up medical care, physical therapy and future anticipated surgical procedures.
  • Lost wages if you missed work while you’re recovering from your injuries.
  • Lost future income if you cannot work in the future or have to work in a reduced or limited capacity due to the long-term effects of your T-bone accident injury.
  • Pain and suffering that includes both physical pain and the emotional stress of the crash and recovery.
  • Property damage to cover the cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle.
  • Future expenses like long-term care or medical equipment if your injuries are permanent.
  • Out-of-pocket costs such as medication, travel to appointments or help around the house.

Add all these expenses up and your accident might be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. An accident attorney can help you calculate what your Laredo T-bone case is worth. Don’t trust the insurance company’s first offer. It’s often far less than what you actually deserve. A proper T-bone accident settlement should reflect everything you’ve lost and what it will take to keep you moving forward in the future.

How a Texas T-bone accident attorney can help after your crash

Evidence builds strong legal cases. As your attorney, we can mount a vigorous investigation into exactly why your accident happened. We regularly review accident reports, interview witnesses and consult with accident reconstruction experts. We then take this information and compile it into a compelling case.

Insurance companies take notice of such hard work. It's one of the reasons why we are often able to negotiate a fair settlement offer after an accident. And if the other driver's insurance company refuses to cooperate, we're prepared to take them to court.

T-bone car accidents are serious. We are as well. Find out how we can help you get your life back on track. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today with an experienced T-bone accident attorney.