What Types of Injuries Are Commonly Associated With T-Bone Accidents?
Bill Allen | August 16, 2024 | Car Accidents
When a vehicle hits another vehicle at a 90-degree angle — a T-bone collision — the passenger side of the struck vehicle frequently receives the brunt of the impact. Not only may the injuries be severe, but they are often unique to this type of crash.
A T-bone car accident (also called a side impact or broadside collision) typically happens when one driver attempts to make a left-hand turn, crossing into the lane of oncoming traffic. The speed at which the oncoming vehicle travels determines the severity of the collision and the resulting injuries.
T-Bone Accident Injury Patterns
Injuries from T-bone accidents tend to have a pattern corresponding to the angle at which the oncoming vehicle collides with the turning vehicle. When a car is T-boned, vehicle occupants nearest the impact point will sustain the most serious injuries due to the transfer of energy from a car or truck abruptly smashing into a slower-moving vehicle.
During a T-bone car accident, severe injuries can happen because of a sequence of three distinct impacts:
- Impact 1: The initial sudden force from the collision jolts the vehicle occupants
- Impact 2: When the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, occupants collide with structures inside the car (e.g., the steering wheel, windshield, or airbag) or with the road if ejected
- Impact 3: Occupants’ internal organs and tissues collide with body cavities, causing internal injuries (such as a lung getting punctured by a rib)
The consequences of such violent impacts can be life-altering.
Common T-Bone Car Crash Injuries
When T-boned at a high speed, vehicle door panels and the human body can do little to resist the force. The more intense the energy transfer, the greater the damage to the body’s tissues, muscles, organs, and bones. Common injuries from the intense energy transfer in T-bone car accidents include the following:
Aortic Dissection
With an aortic dissection, the inner layer of the aorta tears, causing blood to rush through the opening and the inner and middle layers of the artery to dissect. This injury can be fatal without immediate treatment.
Organ Shear Injuries
Organ shearing refers to torn organs. A diffuse axonal injury is a shear injury affecting the brain. The brain’s long axons, or nerve fibers, may tear as the brain shifts inside the skull.
Bone Fractures
Bones frequently impacted by T-bone motor vehicle accidents include the pelvis, neck, clavicle, and skull.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains to ligaments, muscles, and tendons may occur as a result of stretching abruptly.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can occur from the head hitting a window, windshield, or steering wheel. Brain bleeds and concussions are associated with T-bone crashes.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in most collisions, but especially in T-bone crashes. Also called a neck sprain or strain, whiplash is caused by a sudden jerk to the neck. This occurrence is called “whiplash” because its motion resembles the cracking of a whip.
How To Avoid T-Bone Car Accident Injuries
Driving behaviors that lead to T-bone car accidents range from distracted driving and speeding to failure to yield the right of way. The primary locations for these collisions are intersections and parking lots.
It just takes common sense to understand how these kinds of collisions — and injuries — can be prevented. Refrain from driving with distractions (no talking on the cell phone or texting), pay attention to traffic lights and signs, obey the right-of-way rules, and don’t speed through intersections and parking lots. Lowering your risk of suffering common T-bone injuries is worth it.
Contact Our Gainesville Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
