Even though T-bone accidents often seem straightforward when it comes to fault, victims still have to prove liability for their injuries. To do this, they must first determine who exactly is to blame for an accident in Maryland.
When identifying a negligent party, our lawyers will review police reports, talk to eyewitnesses, and assess any other available evidence. For example, video footage from a nearby security camera might show the negligent driver entering the intersection without acknowledging a stop sign, hitting you when you had the right of way. In addition to using evidence to prove that the defendant in your claim is liable, we will use it to show you are not liable. This is important, as Maryland is a pure contributory fault state, meaning victims even slightly at fault for an accident cannot recover damages.
To get help with your case from our Maryland car accident lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras now at (410) 694-7291.
How Can You Determine Liability for a T-Bone Car Accident in Maryland?
When T-bone accidents happen, victims often think that the car that did the striking is, without a doubt, at fault. While this may be true, knowing that another party is liable isn’t enough to recover compensation for a T-bone accident in Maryland, you have to prove that they are liable.
T-bone accidents often happen at intersections. For example, suppose you were moving through an intersection because you had the right of way when, all of a sudden, another driver hit the side of your vehicle. If they ran a stoplight when doing this, our Maryland car accident lawyers can see if a red-light camera took any pictures that could help your claim.
In addition to using red-light camera photos, if available, our lawyers will also interview eyewitnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and review the police report to determine liability.
What if You Share Liability for a T-Bone Car Accident in Maryland?
When serious car accidents happen, victims might not anticipate their involvement being called into question. If you share liability for a T-bone accident in Maryland, you will not be able to recover damages of any kind.
Maryland is a pure contributory fault state. Because of this, victims cannot recover damages if they share any degree of fault for an accident. While liability for T-bone accidents often seems obvious to victims, there are some situations where certain facts might be unclear. For example, if you told police officers that you were distracted when entering the intersection or looked away from the road for a moment, that could be construed as contributory negligence.
After taking on your case, our lawyers will review it in detail so that you’re prepared for the possibility of the defendant using a contributory negligence defense. We can also present evidence that contradicts the defendant’s arguments and confirms they are the only party who contributed to your recent T-bone accident in Maryland. Our attorneys will ensure you remain consistent when giving statements about the accident so that the jury does not question your negligence if your case goes to court.
What Happens After You Determine Liability for a T-Bone Car Accident in Maryland?
Once our lawyers identify who is responsible for your injuries, we can bring a claim against them. Throughout the course of your lawsuit, we can engage in settlement discussions on your behalf, collect and present evidence of the defendant’s negligence, and help you recover compensation for your damages.
When we determine fault for the accident and have a strong claim, we can file your lawsuit in Maryland. You must do this within three years of the accident, or the court may dismiss your claim.
We’ll also focus on proving liability. In car accident claims, plaintiffs must prove that it is more likely than not that defendants injured them. To ensure your claim meets this standard of proof, our car accident lawyers may interview eyewitnesses for their statements to use as evidence in your claim. Other evidence useful to T-bone accident victims includes surveillance footage, photos from the scene, medical records, and expert testimony.
The purpose of determining liability is so that the negligent party compensates you for your damages. Compensable losses in Maryland car accident claims include a victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damages.
How Often Do Negligent Drivers Cause T-Bone Car Accidents in Maryland?
T-bone collisions occur when a vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. They normally happen at intersections when one driver fails to follow traffic signs or yield while the other driver was at the intersection and had the right of way.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1,109 people died and about 127,000 were injured in crashes involving red-light running in 2021. Furthermore, crashes in intersections account for about 25% of traffic accident deaths in the United States.
Another form of a side collision is when both vehicles are moving in the same direction but come in contact on the side. This is often called a sideswipe accident and can occur when one driver negligently merges into an occupied lane.
Both T-bone and sideswipe accidents can cause serious injury to the drivers and passengers of involved cars. Negligent drivers might be just as injured as victims and require extensive medical treatment themselves.
Common Injuries Due to T-Bone Car Accidents in Maryland
Side impact collisions, especially T-bone accidents, can be deadly. These types of accidents can cause cars to roll over, spin, or even run off the road, resulting in neck, head, nerve, and chest injuries for victims in Maryland.
Death
With so little protection between the passenger in the car and the oncoming car striking, death is a very real possibility. If your loved one died in a side-impact accident, you may have a wrongful death suit. You should not have to lose a beloved family member and pay for the cost of a funeral and the medical bills they may have incurred before passing.
Neck Injuries
The most common form of neck injury in car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash is characterized by a number of symptoms, such as neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain. The symptoms of whiplash can last a year or longer, depending on the severity of the injury.
Head Injuries
One of the most thought-of head injuries is a concussion. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can result in either short-term or long-term memory loss.
Concussions can take up to weeks to recover and can severely limit your everyday activities until you do recover. T-bone accidents also cause other traumatic brain injuries that have much more permanent side effects, such as internal bleeding.
Nerve Injuries
In a side-impact car accident, you might suffer from a nerve injury in your back, which could cause numbness or pain. Like whiplash, you might not notice nerve injuries right away, which is why you may need medical treatment to identify them.
Chest Injuries
While seat belts save lives, they can cause chest injuries, like broken ribs. Chest injuries can also occur just from the major impact of getting hit from the side in a T-bone accident.
Call Our Lawyers About Your Maryland T-Bone Accident
Call the Maryland car accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to schedule a free case assessment today.