Rear-End Collisions and T-Bone Accidents

Rear-end collisions and T-bone accidents are two of the most common types of car accidents that occur on U.S. roadways each year. When these accidents occur, the severity of the injuries the vehicle occupants ultimately sustain will depend on a number of factors, including (but not limited to):

• Whether one vehicle was at a complete stop when the other vehicle hit it
• How fast the moving (or faster) vehicle was going at the time of the collision
• Whether a truck, like a semi or 18 wheeler, was involved in the accident (If the large truck is the vehicle that rear-ended or t-boned another passenger vehicle, the injuries and damages can be devastating due to the significant weight of these trucks.)
• Whether the vehicle occupants were wearing their seat belts and whether air bags deployed in either of the involved vehicles.

Rear-End and T-Bone Accident Injuries

Some of the most common types of injuries that vehicle occupants sustain when rear-end and T-bone accidents occur include (but are not limited to):

• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Concussions and other head injuries
• Internal bleeding, organ damage and other internal injuries
• Lacerations and bruising
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash and other neck injuries

Proving Liability in Rear-End Accidents

In the event of rear-end accidents, the liability will typically rest on the person who hit the vehicle from behind – regardless of whether a vehicle stops abruptly. This is because, in the eyes of traffic laws, drivers following other vehicles should maintain a safe distance from the vehicles in front of them in case an abrupt stop is needed. Should the vehicle following another car be unable to stop in time, the assumption is generally that the second vehicle driver failed to maintain a safe distance from the front car and was, therefore, not driving as safely as he should.

However, it’s important to point out that, in some cases, rear-end collisions occur due to a domino effect of one car hitting another, which causes that other car to then rear-end the vehicle in front of it. In such cases, the driver of the vehicle that started this domino effect of rear-ending collisions will most likely be held responsible for the injuries and damages sustained as a result of the accident.

Proving Liability in T-Bone Accidents

In T-bone accidents, proving liability can be far trickier as there may be a question of who had the green light at the time of the accident and/or who had legal the right-of-way. In such cases, obtaining a copy of the police report that includes witnesses’ statements can be essential to proving liability and holding reckless drivers responsible for the injuries and damages they have caused.

It’s essential to point out that, even if another driver’s negligence or recklessness causes a rear-end or T-bone accident, the accident victim can be found partially liable for the accident if, for example, his brake lights or indicator lights did not work.

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon car accident lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you or a loved one has sustained any type of injury due to a rear-end or T-bone accident, contact us by calling (800)-553-3125 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.