Side impact/T-bone car accidents in Lake County are most common at intersections and can cause serious injuries. This type of accident can be especially dangerous because there is less buffer space between the driver or passenger and the other vehicle on the side of a car than at the front or back. If you were injured in a T-bone accident, a car crash attorney can help you plan your next steps. These can include filing a lawsuit against the responsible driver. Receiving compensation can ease your financial stress and allow you to focus on your health.
Responsibility for a Side Impact Collision
Side impact accidents usually happen at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way to another. This is especially common when one person is trying to turn left. T-bone accidents can also happen in parking lots when one driver is trying to back out of a space and hits another driver behind them. In general, the driver who did not have the right of way at an intersection will be considered legally responsible.
In some cases, one person is completely responsible for a T-bone accident in Lake County. For example, if one driver runs a red light and hits a second driver, who was driving safely, the first driver would probably be entirely at fault. However, sometimes both drivers share responsibility. For example, if the first driver ran a red light and the second driver was speeding and could have potentially avoided the accident if they were driving at the speed limit, both drivers could have some responsibility.
When Can an Injured Person File a Lawsuit After a T-Bone Accident?
Because of Florida’s no-fault car insurance system, injured drivers can only sue when their injuries meet a certain standard of seriousness. To meet this requirement, the injuries need to be permanent in some way. This includes loss of bodily function, scarring, and other long-lasting injuries. Surviving relatives can also file a wrongful death claim if the injured person dies.
If the injuries are severe enough, the injured person’s attorney also needs to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. To be negligent, someone needs to have a duty to behave a certain way and fail to do so. Drivers have a duty to follow all relevant traffic laws and regulations, so someone who hits another car because they failed to yield at an intersection would probably be considered negligent. If both drivers were partially responsible for the Lake County side impact crash, the injured person can still receive compensation for their injuries as long as the other driver had the larger share of responsibility. However, the damages would be lowered by the percentage of the injured person’s responsibility.
Talk to an Accident Attorney About Your Side Impact Crash Injuries Today
Side impact / T-bone car accidents in Lake County can lead to serious injuries. If your injuries are severe enough to meet Florida’s threshold, you may be able to receive compensation by going outside the no-fault system and suing the other driver. An accident attorney can assess your situation and determine whether you have a case. Start the process by scheduling your free consultation with Largey Law Firm today.
