You’re driving down the road with the flow of traffic when suddenly your world explodes when a car slams straight into your side. These types of accidents are commonly known as “t-bone accidents.” This is because the car coming at you from the side comes at a perpendicular angle and when the two cars meet it appears like the bone in this equally-named cut of beef. But who is responsible for car crashes like this? It’s important to get a clear understanding of all the factors that went into your particular collision. Who had the right of way will be of the utmost importance, as will be evidence collected at the scene to prove it.

Establishing Liability in T-Bone Car Accidents

Regarding accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida, we need to understand the concept of negligence. This idea is what helps determine who is at fault. Negligence refers to someone failing to use reasonable care, resulting in harm or damage to another person. When we apply negligence to car accidents, it means figuring out who is responsible for causing the accident. A lot of work goes into how to determine liability in car accidents in St. Petersburg. An important aspect is the law – traffic laws specific to Pinellas County – which serve as guidelines for safe driving and outline everyone’s responsibilities on the road. Violating traffic laws, therefore, plays a significant role in defining liability. Eyewitness testimony – or security camera footage, if it can be obtained – can be vital in providing necessary proof of who acted negligently. Getting eyewitness accounts involves gathering statements from people who witnessed the accident. This is why it’s so important to get contact information from people at the scene of an accident.

Florida Is A No-Fault State, Why Do I Need To Prove Who Was Responsible?

The term no-fault can be very confusing, so don’t be embarrassed if it leaves you trying to get a firm grasp on it. No-fault insurance exists not to establish who was responsible or to remove responsibility in the case of negligence. It exists to help pay a minimum amount of damages to lessen the load of car accident cases on the legal system. In St. Petersburg, Florida, this is also known as personal injury protection insurance (PIP) and covers up to $10,000, regardless of fault. Even though the state of Florida uses no-fault rules, when you are not the person who caused the accident, you’re still going to want evidence to show who did. This can be invaluable in cases where the other driver or your insurance company tries to underpay your claim by saying you were at fault. Remember, those $10,000 of PIP doesn’t cover very much when it comes to medical costs and car repairs. If you have any doubts about whether or not you have enough evidence or something to worry about, a St. Petersburg car accident attorney is your best resource.

How Much Could A T-Bone Accident Cost Me in St. Petersburg?

Every accident is unique. Naturally, the cost of a T-bone accident in St. Petersburg can vary. Factors such as the severity of the accident, the extent of injuries, property damage, and other associated costs will define how much you’d be out in the event of this kind of crash. Here are some potential costs you might face after a T-bone accident in St. Petersburg:

Medical Expenses

The average cost of a hospital stay per day in Florida in 2020 was $2,586. Now, imagine multiple days spent in hospital care. In addition, you’ve got the average cost of an ambulance, which is close to $1,000 in St. Petersburg. And what if you need surgeries, which will tally on thousands more? Add medications, physical therapy, and transport to and from future appointments if your car is out of service still or you are unable to drive because of your injuries.

Property Damage

A t-bone accident usually does significant damage to a car. Side airbags deploy to protect the head, neck, and torso. Modern vehicles are designed to crumple and absorb impact. However, this crumpled side panel or deployed airbag isn’t cheap to fix. You may also get bent wheels, a shattered windshield or window, or a warped frame. Here’s a look at the range of prices for this type of work: Windshield Replacement: $160 to $600 Window Replacement: $100 to $400 Car Panel Repair: $1,500 to $4,000 Frame Damage Repair: $600 to $10,000 Suspension Damage Repair: $1,000 to $5,000 Air Bag Replacement: $1,000 to $1,500

Loss of Income

Most accidents will take some away from their job for at least a few days. More serious injuries could take you away from work for weeks or even months. In severe cases, your ability to work in the future may be reduced or impossible. Calculating the exact costs involves assessing your average income and factoring in the duration of your absence from work.

Pain and Suffering

While this isn’t always the most obvious cost to quantify, your physical, emotional, and psychological pain can affect your finances. Maybe that’s from receiving treatment by a psychologist or therapist or how your mental or physical state limits your work capacity. Either way, you may find yourself spending a lot of money. Physical pain, emotional distress, and a decrease in quality of life resulting from the accident are considered when figuring out compensation in your case.

Other Miscellaneous Expenses

These can include transportation costs for medical appointments or temporary alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired/replaced. A taxi in St. Petersburg costs $2.38 per mile, a Lyft starts at $5.23, and an Uber’s minimum price is $7.96.

Common Injuries in T-Bone Car Accidents

Here is a list of common injuries that can occur in T-bone car accidents: Head and Brain Injuries Concussions Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries Whiplash Burns Herniated discs Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) Chest and Abdominal Injuries Broken ribs Internal organ damage or bleeding Fractured bones Amputations or loss of limb function

Compensation Available for T-Bone Car Accident Victims

When you’re involved in a T-bone car accident, you could face severe property damage and serious medical treatment. You may feel unsure about what you can get covered so it’s good to find an experienced St. Petersburg car accident attorney as soon as possible. When you’re trying to make sure you get the maximum back from your accident losses, they have the knowledge and expertise to make it so. By hiring an attorney, you ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the legal process. They will thoroughly evaluate your case and determine the full extent of damages you are entitled to. Here are some of the important ways having a St. Petersburg car accident attorney can make all the difference:

Handling insurance companies

Dealing with insurance companies after a T-bone car accident can be complex and challenging. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim or pressure you into accepting a lower settlement than what you deserve. However, a skilled St. Petersburg car accident attorney knows how to handle insurance companies with expertise. They can effectively communicate on your behalf, navigate the paperwork involved, conduct comprehensive investigations to gather evidence supporting your claim and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

Expert evidence collection and case building

Building a strong case after a T-bone car accident requires expert knowledge of the legal process and access to relevant resources. A St. Petersburg car accident attorney has the expertise needed to compile evidence supporting your claim. This may include reviewing police reports, gathering witness testimonies, obtaining surveillance footage, seeking expert opinions from accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals, and more. With their experience in handling similar cases in St Petersburg, they understand what evidence is necessary to establish liability and demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and damages.

Representation in court

While most car accident cases are resolved through negotiations outside of court, some cases may require litigation if an agreement cannot be reached. In such instances, having a skilled St. Petersburg car accident attorney by your side is crucial. They will represent your interests in court, presenting your case before a judge or jury. They will effectively argue on your behalf, using their legal knowledge and persuasive skills to strive for a favorable outcome. Additionally, having an attorney representing you may help alleviate the stress of navigating the court system and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the litigation process.

How a St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you think you can trust the insurance company to work directly with you to cover all your costs, you are mistaken. Insurers are focused on their bottom line – they are businesses after all – and they want to try and avoid paying out whenever possible to make more profit. This is where the importance of a St. Petersburg car accident attorney comes into play. They know all the ins and outs of how t-bone accident cases work due to their years of experience. With a legal team on your side, you’re much more likely to maximize your compensation recovery. Here are the key points of how a St. Petersburg car accident attorney can help your case: 1. Proficiently handle insurance company negotiations. 2. Expertise to build a strong case based on evidence, witnesses, and expert opinions. 3. Represent your interests in court if necessary. 4. Take care of all the exhausting and complicated paperwork. 5. Use the full force of their team and outside contractors to handle thorough investigations

Contact A St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorney For Your Free Consultation

Our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys are here for you. We provide a completely free consultation where we will listen compassionately to you about your case. In your free first meeting, we’ll analyze the details of your case so we can give you a solid sense of what to expect. Our years of experience in personal injury law, and particularly with t-bone accident cases, make us your best choice. Our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys will fight tirelessly to make sure insurance companies don’t keep you from getting the compensation they owe you.