T-bone accidents, often called broadside or near-side collisions, are severe car accidents that significantly endanger the lives of one or both vehicle’s passengers. These incidents happen when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another, creating a T-shape.
T-bone collisions happen when a driver does not yield to another driver who has the right-of-way, often by running a yellow light. T-bone crashes are particularly dangerous because the side is the most vulnerable area on the vehicle’s frame. This leaves the occupants at significant risk of serious injuries upon impact.
Types of injuries sustained in T-bone accidents
Survivors of T-bone crashes typically experience an average of 2.1 severe injuries, whereas those who are fatally injured endure 5 or more injuries. Almost fifty percent of passengers on the side that is struck will sustain the most severe or even fatal injuries. These include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). When the head strikes the door frame or a window, the result may be a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussions, skull fractures and other minor to severe brain injuries can result in cognitive impairment or even death.
- Traumatic Aortic Transection. This is a critical injury that affects the aorta, the body’s largest artery, causing tears in the aortic wall as a result of chest trauma. Severe tears to the aorta rank as the second leading cause of death in car accidents.
- Spinal Cord Injuries. A hit to the spinal cord, which is connected to the brain stem, can lead to nerve damage, enduring paralysis, or even death. The degree of damage differs across spine regions, with the chest and upper body being especially susceptible in T-bone collisions.
When a T-bone accident occurs, it can tragically lead to life-altering injuries or death. That’s why it’s important to seek assistance with filing claims and dealing with the aftermath.