Even minor car accidents can leave victims with severe trauma. For drivers injured in a T-bone collision, the trauma can cause lasting scars and lifelong medical and financial problems.
Facing the aftermath of this exceptionally dangerous type of car accident, you have to deal with injuries, property damage, and a range of expenses. It can upend anyone’s life and lead to physical, emotional, and financial hardships. At CHASENBOSCOLO, we understand the stress you’re feeling and want to help you through this challenging time in your life.
At CHASENBOSCOLO, we have been helping auto accident victims recover the compensation they deserve since 1986. Our legal knowledge and resources provide our clients with the best chance of holding the at-fault party accountable for their actions. When you hire us, you can depend on our team to fight hard for justice and get you back on your feet. Call us at (703) 538-1138 for a free consultation with one of our Virginia car accident lawyers.
How to Protect Your Rights After a T-Bone Accident
It’s crucial that you take immediate action after a car crash. T-bone collisions, also called side-impact collisions, occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another. It can lead to severe injuries and fatalities. When you get hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue a legal case against them. The process begins at the accident scene.
Be sure to follow the steps below if you want to move forward with an insurance claim or lawsuit:
Step 1 – Call 911. Under Virginia statute 46.2-894, anyone involved in a car accident must report it to the state police or a local law enforcement agency if there are injuries, fatalities, or property damage. If you leave the scene before an officer arrives, you could face hit-and-run charges.
Step 2 – Examine the crash site for evidence. Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved in the crash, broken car parts on the road, and other relevant evidence you can find.
Step 3 – Exchange auto insurance information with other drivers. Write down their name, phone number, auto insurance carrier, and policy number. It’s vital that you collect these details from every driver. There might be more than one person at fault, and you can file a claim with each person’s insurance company.
Step 4 – Ask witnesses if they saw what happened. Write down their names and phone numbers so you can use them as a witness in your case.
Step 5 – Go to the hospital immediately after leaving the accident scene. If you wait too long before seeking initial treatment, the insurance company will likely deny your claim. They will look for any reason, and a gap in treatment indicates that the crash didn’t cause injuries, or you don’t require medical assistance to heal.
Step 6 – Hire a Virginia T-bone collision lawyer to assist you. We will file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf and begin our investigation into what happened and collect evidence that proves another driver was at fault.
Step 7 – While CHASENBOSCOLO is working on your case, you should follow up with your doctors and continue treating until you make a full recovery, or they release you from their care. Medical records are key pieces of evidence that show the injuries you sustained and a timeline of your appointments.
Step 8 – Request a copy of the traffic crash report. You can submit the request in person, by mail, or through fax. You must complete the required forms and pay an $8 fee.
Step 9 – Keep a copy of every document related to the accident. Don’t throw away anything that you could use as evidence, such as medical records, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and letters from insurance companies.
Step 10 – Bring your car in for a repair estimate of the damages.
Throughout your case, you should remember that CHASENBOSCOLO is on your side. The insurance company does not care about accident victims. It’s their job to save as much money as possible. They might try to deny your claim for no good reason or provide a low settlement offer, so you don’t pursue the case any further. Our Virginia T-bone collision lawyers will work hard to ensure they pay what they owe you.
While you’re going through this overwhelming experience, we have a few pieces of advice:
- Don’t admit any fault for the accident. Virginia follows a pure contributory negligence rule. That means you cannot collect any amount of compensation if you share even 1 percent blame for the crash. You can only pursue a legal case if the other motorist is 100 percent liable.
- Don’t sign anything from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You could unknowingly sign away your rights for the maximum settlement available. CHASENBOSCOLO will review every document you receive.
- Don’t skip doctor’s appointments or allow too much time to pass between them. As mentioned earlier, insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as evidence of minimal injuries or no injury at all. They could use that to provide less compensation than you deserve.
- Don’t take on your case alone. Seeking legal representation is one of the most important steps you can take after a T-bone crash. Car accident victims typically receive a higher monetary award when they have legal representation.
Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions in Virginia
Many T-bone accidents occur in intersections when someone ignores traffic signs and signals or doesn’t adequately check for other vehicles before proceeding. Driver error and recklessness are by far the most common causes of this type of collision. Examples include:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Running a stoplight or stop sign
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
When another vehicle impacts the side of your vehicle, the force of the oncoming vehicle combined with the vulnerability of side impacts usually results in devastating trauma. You might have whiplash, a traumatic brain injury, or broken bones. Any injury you sustain could result in chronic pain and even permanent disability.
Your Virginia T-bone collision lawyer will evaluate your injuries to determine an estimated cost of all past and future treatments. We will ensure you receive the financial compensation you need, so you don’t have to pay for anything out-of-pocket.
Pursuing Compensation Under the Fault System
Virginia uses the fault system when it comes to car accidents. That means the person who causes a collision is financially responsible for all of the injured victim’s damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit. Damages fall under two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages refer to the actual expenses incurred as a result of an injury, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages include the physical and emotional pain suffered after an accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement or disability
- Loss of consortium
The challenge with damages is determining a fair monetary value. Since non-economic losses are difficult to calculate, the insurance company will review all factors associated with your case to come up with an appropriate settlement amount. At CHASENBOSCOLO, our Virginia T-bone collision lawyers know how to maximize someone’s claim for the full insurance coverage available.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO?
We have been working with accident victims for more than 30 years. We’ve developed the experience, knowledge, and skills to handle even the most complicated of cases. We provide our clients with dependable and compassionate services they can trust. When you hire us, we will put your needs first to ensure your satisfaction with the outcome of your case.
Our Virginia T-bone collision lawyers care about our community and the people in it. We will provide you with the personalized one-on-one attention you deserve from start to finish of your case. Our team is available 24/7, so you can reach us when you need us the most. We will always keep your best interests in mind and work hard to reach your legal goals.
We have built a superior reputation throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. With four conveniently located offices, you never have to travel far to see us. Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review rating system, recognizes lawyers for their ethical standards and legal abilities. We received the highest AV Preeminent® rating. We are also members of various prestigious legal organizations, such as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the American Association for Justice.
Speak to a Dedicated Virginia T-Bone Collision Lawyer
CHASENBOSCOLO is ready to take on your case and help you in your fight for justice. If you want to discuss your car accident and find out your legal options, we will meet you for a free consultation. We also offer a No Fee Guarantee — you won’t have to pay any fees or costs unless we win compensation.
If you were the victim of a T-bone car accident, call us at (703) 538-1138 and let us help you on the road to recovery.
