T-bone motorcycle accidents are some of the scariest and most dangerous crashes for motorcyclists in San Antonio. In a T-bone accident, one vehicle hits the side of another, making a “T” shape at the point of impact.
These accidents are especially dangerous for motorcyclists because, unlike cars, motorcycles offer little protection in a crash, making injuries more severe. Without the safety of doors, seatbelts, or airbags, motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries when involved in these collisions.
If you’ve been involved in a T-bone accident, it’s important to understand your rights and what steps you can take to protect yourself legally. Working with a San Antonio T-bone motorcycle accident lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. A lawyer can help you determine who was responsible for the crash, deal with insurance companies, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
At Patterson Law Group, our team guides you through the process and explains your legal options.
T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents in San Antonio
T-bone motorcycle accidents often occur at intersections but can happen in various places. Whether it’s on a busy street in downtown San Antonio or in a parking lot, these accidents can cause serious injuries due to the direct side impact. Drivers who fail to yield at intersections or make reckless decisions can cause T-bone crashes that leave motorcyclists with life-changing injuries.
These accidents are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists because they don’t have the same protection as someone in a car. The force of the impact can throw the rider off the bike or crush them against the vehicle. That’s why it’s so important to have a T-bone motorcycle accident attorney in San Antonio on your side who understands how severe these accidents can be and will fight to protect your rights.
Common Situations Leading to T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents
T-bone motorcycle accidents can happen in a variety of situations, but they are especially common in the following scenarios:
Intersections
Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to motorcyclists at intersections are a leading cause of T-bone crashes. This can happen when a car runs a red light or doesn’t stop at a stop sign.
Often, drivers may misjudge the speed or distance of an oncoming motorcycle, leading to a dangerous collision. These accidents are particularly risky for motorcyclists because they have less protection than drivers in cars, making injuries more severe.
Highways and Interstates
Sudden loss of control or lane changes on highways can lead to side-impact collisions, especially when drivers don’t check their blind spots. Motorcycles are smaller and can easily get lost in a driver’s blind spot, making it crucial for drivers to double-check before changing lanes.
A simple glance over the shoulder or checking mirrors carefully can prevent these accidents, but the consequences for motorcyclists can be life-threatening when drivers are careless.
Parking Lots
Accidents can occur when a driver backs out of a parking space and fails to see a motorcycle, leading to a side-impact collision. Motorcycles can be harder to spot in parking lots, especially if drivers aren’t paying attention.
Low-speed accidents in parking lots can still cause serious injuries for motorcyclists, as the impact from even a small car can be dangerous when it hits a motorcycle rider from the side.
These situations show how easy it is for drivers to miss motorcyclists on the road. Even though motorcyclists are harder to see, drivers are still responsible for paying attention and driving safely.
Taking the extra time to check mirrors, obey traffic signals, and be aware of surroundings can help prevent these devastating accidents from happening.
Common Causes of T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents
T-bone motorcycle accidents are often caused by driver negligence. Some of the most common causes include:
- Running red lights or stop signs: Impatient or reckless drivers may speed through a red light, causing a serious T-bone collision.
- Distracted driving: Texting, eating, or even talking on the phone can cause drivers not to see a motorcyclist and crash into them.
- Driving while impaired: Alcohol or drugs can slow a driver’s reaction time and impair their judgment, making it more likely for them to cause an accident.
- Sudden lane changes without signaling: A driver who changes lanes without checking their blind spots or signaling can easily hit a motorcycle.
- Reckless driving: Speeding or road rage can lead to dangerous decisions that put motorcyclists at risk.
- Bad weather conditions: Rain, fog, or icy roads can make it harder for drivers to control their vehicles and avoid accidents.
- Mechanical failures: Issues like brake or steering defects can cause a driver to lose control and hit a motorcyclist.
- Lack of driver training or experience: Inexperienced drivers may not know how to share the road with motorcycles safely.
- Obstructed views at intersections: Trees, buildings, or parked cars can block a driver’s view, making it harder for them to see a motorcycle.
Each of these causes can lead to dangerous situations, but an experienced motorcycle crash attorney in San Antonio, Texas, can help prove who was at fault.
Injuries That Can Result from T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents
Statistics show that around 14.6% of all fatal crashes involve motorcycles. Not only are riders at risk of suffering fatal injuries but there is also a heightened risk of severe and life-altering injuries in crashes. Some of the most common injuries that motorcyclists suffer in these accidents include:
Broken Bones
Since motorcyclists have little protection, bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or hips can easily break when a side-impact collision occurs. These fractures often require surgeries and months of physical therapy to heal properly, leaving victims unable to work or perform daily activities. Some injuries may lead to long-term pain or difficulty moving even after healing.
Chest Injuries
T-bone accidents often lead to lung contusions or broken ribs, which can make breathing painful and may require long-term medical care. These injuries can also affect the heart and other organs, putting the victim at risk for further complications. Recovery can be slow, and victims may need ongoing medical attention or rehabilitation to fully heal.
Head Injuries
Even when a rider wears a helmet, the impact of a T-bone crash can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These injuries can affect memory, speech, and even a person’s ability to live independently, impacting every aspect of a victim’s life. Long-term care, therapy, and assistance with everyday tasks may become necessary.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the spine are especially dangerous and can result in paralysis. Spinal cord damage can leave a victim unable to walk or perform basic tasks, requiring lifelong care. This type of injury can also lead to emotional struggles as victims adjust to an entirely new way of living.
Internal Organ Damage
The force of the crash can damage vital organs like the spleen or liver, which may require emergency surgery and long recovery times. Organ damage can lead to life-threatening complications, and victims may experience ongoing health problems as a result.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries can cause long-term pain and limit movement. These injuries may seem minor at first, but they can lead to chronic pain and discomfort, requiring physical therapy or pain management over time.
Given that these injuries can have long-lasting effects, it’s crucial to have a motorcycle wreck lawyer in San Antonio, Texas, who can help you pursue compensation to cover medical bills and other damages.
Determining Fault in T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents
In Texas, the fault for an accident isn’t always black and white. Texas follows a system called comparative negligence, which means that more than one person can be found responsible for the accident. If both the motorcyclist and the driver share fault, their compensation may be reduced depending on how much each party is to blame.
For example, if the motorcyclist is found to be 20% at fault for the accident, their compensation could be reduced by 20%. However, if the motorcyclist is more than 50% responsible for the accident, they may not be able to recover any compensation. A T-bone motorcycle accident attorney in San Antonio can help you understand how these laws apply to your case and fight to minimize any fault placed on you.
Proving Negligence in T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents
Proving that the other driver was negligent is critical to getting compensation in a T-bone motorcycle accident case. Your lawyer will work to gather evidence to show that the other driver was at fault. This can include:
- Eyewitness accounts: Statements from people who saw the accident can help support your claim.
- Accident reports: Police reports can provide valuable details about how the accident happened and who was involved.
- Surveillance footage: In some cases, cameras at intersections or businesses may have recorded the crash.
- Expert testimony: Accident reconstruction experts can analyze the scene and explain how the crash occurred.
Working with a San Antonio injury attorney will help ensure that all the necessary evidence is collected and used to build a strong case.
Compensation for T-Bone Motorcycle Accident Victims
You may recover fair compensation for your losses and expenses if you’ve been injured in a T-bone motorcycle accident. This can include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Lost Future Earning Potential
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Trauma
- Property Damage to the Motorcycle
Our San Antonio T-bone motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue these damages and ensure you receive fair compensation.
How Our San Antonio T-Bone Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
At Patterson Law Group, we understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. That’s why our motorcycle wreck lawyer in San Antonio, Texas, is here to guide you through the legal process. We have experience handling motorcycle accident cases and are committed to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Our team offers free consultations to discuss your case and help you understand your legal options. Based on your unique situation, we’ll create a personalized legal strategy and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Contact Our San Antonio T-Bone Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a T-bone motorcycle accident, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Contact Patterson Law Group to speak with a San Antonio T-bone motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you every step of the way.
We’re here to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Reach out today for a free consultation.
