A “T-bone accident,” also known as a “side impact accident,” occurs when a vehicle is struck directly at its side by the front of another vehicle, such as a car or commercial truck. These accidents can be especially severe given the vulnerability of the occupants on the vehicle’s impacted side, as the sides have the least safety reinforcement of any part of the vehicle. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation.
Here are some laws from the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code which the at-fault party in a T-bone accident may have violated:
- Failed to activate electric turn signal device indicating intention to turn or change lanes (625 ILCS 5/11-804(d));
- Failed to yield the right of way to the Plaintiff’s vehicle at a stop or yield intersection (625 ILCS 5/11-904);
- Turned vehicle from a direct course upon a roadway without first determining that such movement could be made with reasonable safety (625 ILCS 5/11-804(a));
- Disobeyed instructions of an official traffic control device (625 ILCS 5/11-305);
- Disobeyed a stop sign (625 ILCS 5/11-1204);
- Failed to decrease speed so as to avoid colliding with another vehicle (625 ILCS 5/11-601(a));
- Proceeded at a speed which was greater than reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the roadway (625 ILCS 5/11- 601);
- Failed to yield the right of way at intersection to the oncoming Plaintiff’s vehicle before proceeding with a left hand turn (625 ILCS 5/11-902);
- Improperly executed a left or right turn (625 ILCS 5/11-801);
- Failed to yield the right of way to Plaintiff (625 ILCS 5/11-1002).
If you were involved in a T-bone accident involving a large commercial truck, here are some common factors to consider in your case:
- Did the truck driver attempt to avoid the accident? This can typically be determined using witness testimony and an investigation of the scene of the accident.
- Does the truck driver have previous traffic violations and/or accidents? Trucking companies are legally obligated to screen their employees for prior traffic violations and reckless driving behaviors, and in some cases they may also be legally liable for an accident as a result.
- Was poor truck maintenance a primary or contributing factor in the accident? The trucking company may be legally liable for the improper inspection and maintenance of a commercial truck.
- Was product liability/defective design a primary or contributing factor in the accident? The truck’s manufacturer may be legally liable for an accident if it directly resulted from the defective design of equipment in the truck, such as faulty axles, tires, or braking systems.
- What was the truck driver’s state of mind when the accident occurred? Fatigue, distraction, intoxication, and recklessness are common factors in large truck accidents, and all drivers must be held legally accountable for their negligence.
Whether another motorist or professional truck driver was responsible for your accident, our attorneys will work with the insurance companies to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses. Remember that under Illinois law, there is a statute of limitations (a time-limit to file your case), and in Illinois the statute is two (2) years from the date of the accident.
We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike today for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based personal injury law firm, and helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will file your claim and take care of the insurance company, the bills, and the lost income. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, our personal injury lawyers are not paid attorney fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
