Have you ever wondered how many accidents happen in Florida each year?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles puts out crash statistics for most years.
And you might be surprised to learn that, in 2020, there were 341,399 reported crashes in the state. That is a shocking average of 933 crashes per day.
These car accidents leave all those involved in a challenging situation. After a crash, many people struggle to cope with the emotional trauma of the experience.
Then, financial stresses enter the picture as victims lose work days and medical bills start piling up. You might wonder what to do next as you find yourself unable to pay your bills.
If you suffered injuries in a T-bone accident, you might be curious about settlement options and how financial compensation could help you and your family.
For immediate assistance, please call (850) 601-1111 or reach us online today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Florida auto accident lawyers.
Read on to learn more about T-bone accident settlements.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
In a T-bone accident, the impacted vehicle is hit with significant force on either its left or right side. During this collision, a “T” forms due to the shape of the accident, as one car impacts the side of the other car.
T-bone accident injuries can be severe.
Common injuries resulting from this type of accident include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Paralysis;
- Neck, back, and spinal injuries; and
- Broken bones, including those in the legs, arms, hips, and shoulders.
Cuts, bruises, and other minor injuries might also occur. After suffering an injury in a T-bone accident, seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries take hours or days to surface.
However, a doctor might be able to diagnose these injuries even if they are not immediately apparent to you.
Obtaining compensation for your injury requires a direct connection between your injury and your accident, and a medical evaluation is essential to making that connection.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents often happen at intersections when a vehicle runs a traffic signal or when a car fails to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn.
Other common causes of these accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving,
- Aggressive driving,
- Unsafe lane changes,
- Inclement weather, and
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Your attorney works to uncover the cause and to help establish a strong case on your behalf.
Factors Affecting T-Bone Accident Settlements
Many injured victims become overwhelmed by medical expenses that pile up quickly. This makes them eager to learn the average payout for a T-bone accident.
However, each accident has its own unique set of facts and circumstances. Furthermore, many settlement amounts go undisclosed.
For these and other reasons, trying to assess an “average payout” is a useless activity. It’s far more productive to visit an experienced injury lawyer who can assess your case and provide you with an estimate.
The following common factors are usually present in most T-bone car accident settlement discussions:
- The severity of the injury;
- Current and future medical expenses;
- Loss of wages;
- Loss of future earning capacity;
- Circumstances surrounding the accident; and
- Pain & suffering.
Your attorney reviews these common factors to determine how they might affect your potential T-bone accident compensation.
How Is Fault Determined?
Florida law is a “no-fault” state. No-fault insurance states require each driver to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to cover their own expenses if they get into a crash.
However, the mandatory minimum PIP coverage limit of $10,000 often barely taps the surface of a victim’s losses.
If you suffered severe injuries and substantial losses, your personal injury attorney might advise you to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
However, Florida’s no-fault law only permits victims to recover compensation against the at-fault driver if the injury resulted, in whole or in part, in any of the following:
- Significant and permanent loss of an essential bodily function;
- Permanent damage, within a reasonable degree of medical probability;
- Permanent and considerable disfigurement or scarring; or
- Death.
Your attorney assists in proving the severity of your injuries so you can pursue a lawsuit against the liable party.
How Long Until I Get My T-Bone Accident Compensation?
After negotiating and reaching a fair settlement value, you may be eager to receive your compensation. Unfortunately, it usually takes around four to six weeks to receive settlement checks.
Your attorney usually receives the check and distributes the funds after taking out their agreed-upon contingency fee and out-of-pocket expenses.
Contact Our Tallahassee, Florida Injury Lawyers
With over 40 years of legal experience handling all types of personal injury cases, the attorneys at Nonni Homola have earned an impeccable reputation in the community for assisting injured victims.
Our attorneys understand that clients are the heart and soul of what makes our firm thrive.
As a result, we treat all our clients with respect. This includes providing you with direct access to your attorney throughout your case.
Direct communication between the client and attorney eases client anxiety and helps us build a strong case on your behalf. Protecting and representing your interests is always our top priority.
Contact us online or call (850) 601-1111 today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you!
Jaeson continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 2011. Throughout his law school career, Jaeson regularly volunteered his time at Florida Legal Services, where he assisted with several projects aimed at advancing the rights of low-income families in Florida. Jaeson has recovered millions of dollars from individuals for his clients. For his efforts, Jaeson was inducted in 2016 into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. At the time of his induction, he was one of the youngest attorneys in the State of Florida to be inducted.
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