A traffic accident is always a terrible event. No matter how an automobile strikes another, there is great potential for serious damage. However, some collisions have a higher rate of severe injury or death than others. For instance, when a vehicle is hit in the front, there are several feet of steel and engine between the passenger and the impact. While this doesn’t eliminate the risk of serious injury, it does create more of a buffer. Conversely, in side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, there’s often only a door and a window between the victim and the other vehicle. In some cases, there also may be the passenger seat buffering the impact, depending on which side of you’re hit.
DID YOU KNOW: Recent data shows that out of 37,133 motor vehicle crash deaths in 2017, 64% were passenger vehicle occupants.
Deaths due to by side-impact crashes have increased by 20% over the past 20 years. Many experts attribute this to the increase in travel speeds on roadways, plus the growing prevalence of SUVs. Additionally, 20% of vehicles involved in deadly crashes in the state of Florida were first impacted on their sides.
All cars sold in the United States must meet specific federal safety standards regarding side-impact collisions. Still, T-bone accidents are some of the most serious accidents on the road. Tragically, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, side-impact collisions are frequently the deadliest for children. If you have been the victim of a T-bone accident, you may be entitled to compensation.