Kansas City T-Bone Accident Lawyer

All car accidents are terrifying and potentially deadly, but a T-bone accident is particularly traumatic. It often seems to come out of nowhere when one car fails to yield the right of way in an intersection. Also known as an angle-collision, a T-bone accident is a two-car collision in which the front end of one car impacts the side of another car, forming a T-shape. If you or a loved one experienced injuries in a T-bone collision, call the Kansas City car accident lawyers at Miller & Hine. We are ready to help.

Why Choose Miller & Hine as Your T-Bone Accident Attorneys In Kansas City?

The law firm of Miller & Hine has over 50 years of combined experience navigating Missouri’s traffic laws, insurance system, and civil courts in Kansas City and the surrounding area with a history of favorable results. With representation by our firm, your case has the following advantages:

• An entire legal staff working behind the scenes, as well as the dedicated attention of your personal injury attorney
• An individualized strategy to achieve the best possible results for the unique circumstances of your accident
• A law firm that believes in treating every client like family with open communication and availability throughout the process
• Access to resources such as the best accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to make a compelling case
• A meticulous investigation, strong evidence of liability, and a carefully calculated list of your damages presented on your behalf during assertive negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company

We never charge upfront fees to injury victims. Instead, you are welcome to a free consultation and contingency-based payment, so you only pay us after we settle or win your case.

Common Causes of Kansas City T-Bone Accidents

According to national data, about 44.9% of two-car collisions in 2022 were T-bone accidents, resulting in 8,800 fatalities in the U.S. T-bone accidents are broadside collisions that typically take place in intersections. They may also occur when one driver exits a parking lot or driveway and collides with a vehicle already in the roadway. The most common causes of T-bone accidents in Kansas City include the following:

• Failure to yield the right of way at an intersection
• Distracted driving
• Intentionally running a red light or stop sign
• Negligently entering a roadway without yielding to vehicles already in the lane
• Left-turn accidents
• Impaired driving
• Drowsy driving

Injuries in T-bone accidents may occur to those in both vehicles, but in most cases, the occupants of the car hit broadside experience the most serious injuries.

What Injuries Occur In T-Bone Accidents In Kansas City Intersections?

Injuries to motorists hit broadside in a T-bone accident tend to be severe. The side of a car is its thinnest point, lacking the buffer zones of the front and back ends during collisions. The motorists seated in the front or backseat on the side of the impact suffer the worst injuries. Injuries reported in Kansas City T-bone accidents include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• External head injuries
• Fractures of the limbs, ribs, hip, pelvis, and clavicle
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Soft-tissue injuries to knees, shoulders, wrists, and ankles
• Internal organ injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic amputations
• Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions

In the worst cases, catastrophic injuries or wrongful death result from T-bone collisions in Kansas City.

Proving Liability In a T-Bone Accident In Kansas City

It may seem evident that the driver who hits the other car broadside in a T-bone accident is always liable for damages to the injury victims, such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, but liability isn’t always that clear. For instance, what if the vehicle hit broadside shouldn’t have been in the intersection because they didn’t have the right of way? It often takes an in-depth investigation to prove liability. This requires examining photo and video evidence, scrutinizing the police report, and reviewing eyewitness testimony. A car accident attorney may also consult with crash forensics experts and accident reconstruction specialists. Proving liability under Missouri’s pure comparative negligence system requires demonstrating the following:

• That the at-fault driver owed a duty of care to the injury victim and others on the road
• They violated this duty of care through negligent or reckless actions
• This violation of their duty of care directly caused the injury
• The injury victim suffered damages from the injury

Under Missouri 537.765, the insurance company may reduce an injury victim’s compensation by the percentage of their fault or responsibility for the accident. This law allows those who contributed to the cause of their accident to recover a portion of their damages, but also incentivizes the insurance company to unfairly shift liability to the injury victim if they do not have proactive legal counsel. For example, if the insurance adjuster claims that you were 20% at fault because you were speeding when the other driver ran a red light and hit you broadside, they can reduce a $100,000 claim to $80,000 and protect their profits at your expense.

What Damages Can I Recover In a T-Bone Accident Claim In Kansas City?

With compelling evidence of the other driver’s liability and assertive representation during negotiations, the injury victim in a T-bone accident claim can recover compensation for typical damages such as the following:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs for further procedures or physical therapy
• Lost earnings
• Future income loss
• Lowered earning capacity due to disability
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Compensation for any damages specific to a case, such as loss of limb, loss of vision, hearing loss, scarring, disfigurement, or diminished quality of life

If a close family member died in a T-bone accident in Kansas City, the wrongful death lawyers at Miller & Hine can help your family recover compensation through a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver.

Call the Experienced T-Bone Car Accident Attorneys In Kansas City

When injuries cause serious consequences, you don’t have to be left responsible for the unanticipated expenses as well as the pain, suffering, and temporary or permanent disability. Instead, call the skilled legal advocates at Miller & Hine so we can begin working on a strategy for prompt action and the maximum compensation available to you.