Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A T-bone crash can lead to a serious injury claim when the effects cause lasting harm, high medical bills, or keep you from working. These side-impact crashes impact areas of the body with less structural protection.
In New York, you can file a lawsuit only if your injuries are serious enough under the law. Our Manhattan car accident lawyer can look at your injuries, your medical records, and how the crash happened to see if your case qualifies and determine the next steps.
What Is a T-Bone Crash?
A serious injury claim happens when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another, forming a “T” shape. Sometimes, they are called side-impact crashes or right-angle collisions.
These crashes can happen:
- At intersections
- When a driver runs a red light or stop sign
- During left turns
- When a driver fails to yield
The side of a vehicle has less structure than its front or rear. That means the force of a crash can reach the driver or passenger side more directly. Because the door and window area offers less space and protection, injuries can be more serious and affect one’s health and well-being long-term.
Common injuries in T-bone crash claims include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken ribs and fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Hip and pelvic injuries
Some injuries do not show right away. Pain, dizziness, or numbness can appear hours or days later.
When a T-Bone Crash Becomes a Serious Injury Claim in N.Y.
New York is a No-Fault state. This means drivers must use their auto insurance first to cover basic medical bills and lost wages if they get into an accident. This applies no matter who caused the crash.
Before you can file a personal injury lawsuit, you must meet the “serious injury” standard under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d).
A serious injury may include:
- A fracture
- Significant disfigurement
- Loss of a body part or function
- Permanent limitation of use
- Significant limitation of a body system
- An injury that keeps you from normal daily activities for at least 90 days
If your injuries meet one of these categories, you may step outside the No–Fault system and pursue damages from the at-fault driver.
How Fault Is Determined in a T-Bone Crash
Establishing fault is critical in serious injury claims. In many side-impact crash cases, one driver failed to follow traffic rules, such as running a red light or ignoring a stop sign. Some accidents involve distracted drivers or those who sped through an intersection.
New York follows a comparative fault rule under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1411. This means more than one driver can share fault. If you are partly responsible for the crash, the award you receive will be reduced by your share of fault.
For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%.
What Damages You Could Recover
If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury standard, you may pursue damages beyond the usual No-Fault benefits. These may include:
- Medical expenses that your insurance doesn’t cover
- Future medical care
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of daily life
Each case depends on how the injury affects your life over time.
Why These Accidents Can Be Complex Legal Cases
T-bone car accident cases are not always as clear as they look. Two drivers may tell very different stories about the same crash.
There may be no reliable witness or no camera angle that shows who entered the intersection first. Details like light timing, speed, and right of way often become the focus. Additionally, insurance companies tend to challenge the claim. They may argue the crash could not have been avoided, downplay your injuries, or blame a past medical issue.
We review the facts, collect the right evidence, and piece together what really happened.
Time Limits for Filing a Claim in New York
You generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for damages, per (NY CPLR § 214(5)). Some cases have shorter deadlines, especially when a city or public agency is involved.
Missing a deadline can block your ability to recover damages. You can reach out to our firm for help as soon as possible.
How Legal Help From Our Firm Can Make a Difference
A serious injury claim involves more than filling out paperwork. The harder part is showing what the injury has changed for you. That may include ongoing treatment, time away from work, or limits on what you can do daily.
Insurance companies tend to look for gaps in the story or reasons to question it. They do these things because they want to reduce how much they pay out in claims. Our Manhattan personal injury lawyer works to close those gaps with the right information.
We also communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Talk to Shulman & Hill About Your T-Bone Crash Claim Today
A T-bone crash can lead to a serious injury claim, but such claims raise complex questions about fault, injuries, and insurance. These cases are rarely straightforward, but that does not mean you should not pursue a claim for the damages you suffered.
Shulman & Hill is committed to our clients and works hard to recover the proper damages for their losses. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients and brings more than 200 years of combined experience to handling claims like this. We also handle workers’ compensation cases, which can come into play if the crash happened during your job.
We build each case carefully and support it with in-depth investigations and a strong understanding of New York law. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You. If a T-bone crash has affected you, call us for a free consultation.