T-bone accidents in Jacksonville, Florida, can cause serious injuries, including head, shoulder, chest, and abdominal trauma. Depending on the injury severity, a Jacksonville T-bone accident lawyer can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurer.
Specifically, under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, a car wreck victim can pursue compensation for losses arising from significant, permanent injuries, such as scars, nerve damage, and brain injuries. A Jacksonville T-bone accident lawyer from Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call (904) 356-6071 today for a free consultation.
How Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a T-Bone Accident in Jacksonville, FL
For decades, our law firm has provided high-quality legal services to accident victims in Jacksonville, Florida. Since the firm’s founding, our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and lawsuit damage awards.
When you suffer a serious injury in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, we can assist in the following ways:
- Discussing your injuries and how they occurred
- Explaining your legal claims and gathering evidence to support them
- Filing an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s policy
- Negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit if we cannot secure an amicable resolution
Contact us to schedule a free case review with a Jacksonville car accident attorney to learn how we can pursue injury compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurer.
T-Bone Accidents In Jacksonville
A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These crashes are also known as side-impact collisions.
Injuries can be especially serious when the impact occurs near a door because the side of a vehicle provides less protection than the front or rear. People seated closest to the impact may suffer head, neck, chest, abdominal, or other serious injuries.
The severity of a T-bone accident often depends on the speed of the vehicles, the location of the impact, and the safety features of the vehicles involved.
How Do Jacksonville T-Bone Accidents Occur?
T-bone accidents often happen at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way. A driver may run a red light, ignore a stop or yield sign, or enter an intersection when another vehicle has the right to proceed.
Under Florida law, drivers facing a red light must stop before entering the intersection. Drivers must also follow applicable right-of-way rules at stop and yield signs.
Common causes of T-bone accidents include speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, running red lights, and ignoring traffic signs. Determining which driver had the right of way can be an important part of establishing fault for the crash.
What Is My T-Bone Accident Case Worth?
The value of a T-bone accident case depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the collision and how the accident has affected your life. No two cases are worth exactly the same amount.
Factors that may influence the value of a T-bone accident claim include:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- Whether you are expected to make a full recovery
- The length and complexity of your medical treatment
- Whether your injuries affect your ability to work
- How the injuries affect your daily activities and quality of life
- The strength of the evidence establishing fault
- Whether you share responsibility for the accident
- The amount of insurance coverage available
Evaluating these factors together can provide a clearer picture of what your T-bone accident case may be worth.
What Kinds of Damages Can T-Bone Accident Victims Recover?
T-bone accident victims may be entitled to recover compensation for both financial and personal losses caused by the collision. The damages available will depend on the injuries and circumstances of the case.
Potential damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, when permitted by law
The types and amount of damages available will depend on the evidence showing how the T-bone accident affected the victim financially, physically, and emotionally.
How Does Comparative Fault Affect a T-Bone Accident Claim in Florida?
More than one driver can share responsibility for a T-bone accident. Under Florida’s modified comparative fault rule, your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility for the crash. In most negligence cases, a person who is found more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages.
For example, if another driver ran a red light but you were speeding when the collision occurred, both drivers could potentially share fault. Evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, and the police report can help determine each driver’s responsibility.
How Long Do I Have to File a T-Bone Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
In Florida, you generally have two years to file a negligence lawsuit after a T-bone accident. Florida Statutes § 95.11 establishes this two-year statute of limitations for negligence actions. If you miss the applicable deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation through a lawsuit.
Because exceptions or different deadlines can apply in some cases, it is important to determine the filing deadline based on the specific circumstances of your accident.
Contact Our Jacksonville T-Bone Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Jacksonville T-bone collisions can cause scars, brain damage, and other significant, permanent injuries. If you’ve been injured, contact Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Jacksonville T-bone accident attorney to discuss your injuries and legal options.