Truck wrecks pose a significant danger, especially when combined with side-impact collisions. A side-impact collision, also known as a T-bone collision, happens when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another. It gets its nickname because the resulting shape looks like the letter “T.” When the struck vehicle is a passenger vehicle, the impact is in the most vulnerable area of the car, close to the passengers or drivers.
When you or someone you love has been injured in a T-bone collision, the injuries may be severe or even deadly. Recovery can be a long, complicated, and expensive process, and many people may never fully recover. The individual who caused the damage should be held responsible for paying for your recovery. Talk to a skilled truck accident attorney to learn more about the factors involved in filing a legal claim. We are experienced in helping injured people after side-impact truck accidents in Portland.
T-Bone Truck Accidents
There are two types of T-bone semi wrecks. In the first type, a truck slams into the side of a passenger vehicle. In the other, the passenger vehicle slams into the side of a truck. Neither has a good prognosis for the passengers in the smaller vehicle.
Establishing how the crash occurred is essential for determining fault. Just like other vehicle collisions, side-impact wrecks happen because of negligence, including:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Running red lights
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to stop at stop signs
It is easy to think of the person hitting the other vehicle as the one at fault, but this is not always the case. Someone can run a light or stop sign, failing to yield the right of way, and the other driver may not have time to stop. This is a probable scenario when the T-bone accident involves a semi since 18-wheeler trucks are heavier and take longer to stop.
When someone is in a side-impact truck wreck in Portland, a lawyer will try to determine who was at fault, which decides which party is financially liable for the accident. Maine Statutes Title 14 § 156 establishes comparative negligence. Sharing fault for a collision does not prevent an individual from recovering for that crash. However, the court will reduce damages to reflect each party’s share of the responsibility.
Injuries and Damages
Any vehicle wreck has the risk of minor injuries like bruises, contusions, and lacerations. However, T-bone accidents can lead to severe injuries, which can be life-threatening or even deadly. Everyone in an 18-wheeler collision should seek immediate medical attention, even if they do not feel like they need it, because the initial shock of a crash can mask injuries. Medical professionals should check for broken bones, back, neck, and spinal injuries, soft tissue and organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries.
In addition, people may recover economic damages, which directly relate to financial losses or expenses resulting from the accident. Medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and expenses for caretaking are all types of economic damages.
They can also recover non-economic damages, which are the justice system’s way of trying to compensate people for losses that are not financial. They cover things like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of consortium.
Generally, Maine does not award punitive damages. While other states may allow them for egregious behavior, the state only permits them when someone acts with express or implied malice. A side-impact truck collision attorney in Portland can help review available types of compensation.
Get Assistance From Gideon Asen LLC for T-Bone Truck Wrecks in Portland
A side-impact collision can be devastating, especially when one of the vehicles is a large semi. They can lead to severe injuries, which disrupt your life and can threaten your family’s financial stability. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you get compensation for those injuries. Set up a consultation with a lawyer to learn more about side-impact truck accidents in Portland.
