T-Bone Collisions and Accidents Cause Injuries to Motorcyclists

T-Bone motorcycle collisions and accidents occur then the front of one vehicle collides or crashes into the side of another vehicle. Essentially, the formation of the crash at the point of impact forms a "T". These motorcycle accidents or crashes are also commonly referred to as side impact or broadside crashes or collisions. Many accident victims and family members do not understand or realize that a broadside or side impact crash is essentially the same or similar crash to one described as a "T-Bone" type of crash. Police reports are not consistent or uniform across the board in utilizing these terms. As such, some police reports will refer to the crash as a side impact, broadside, or "T-Bone" type of case. Some police reports will even use all terms in one police report.

A T-Bone type of crash can have devastating results when two motor vehicles collide and even more so when one of the motor vehicles involved is a motorcycle. When a driver or occupant of a passenger motor vehicle is involved in a T-Bone type of crash, there are certain protections in place to shield the blow to some extent when there is a side impact to the vehicle including the following: door of the vehicle, seatbelt, air bags (side and front), frame of the vehicle, and other safety features. There is a huge difference between the impact to a motorcycle versus the impact to a passenger motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle. While ejections from a motor vehicle are not very common for passenger motor vehicle accidents, ejections happen quite frequently in a motorcycle accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that "Ejection from the motorcycle is a common injury pathway."

There are a number of causes for T-Bone type of crashes. The driver of a motor vehicle may carelessly run through a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal. This, in turn, violates the right of way of the motorcyclist and causes the crash. Intersections are common locations of T-Bone types of collisions. In many crashes, the driver of the motor vehicle states that he or she did not see the motorcycle. These defense or argument can be quite weak especially on clear sunny days in light traffic. Even with poor weather and the night time driving, motorists should be on the look out for motorcyclists and honor their right of way and respect their safety.

Following a motorcycle accident, it is helpful to get photographs of the property damage of each vehicle and the scene of the accident. Photographs showing the viewpoint of the motorcyclist and photographs showing the viewpoint of the driver can help illustrate how the T-Bone collision took place. At times, road and other construction can change the appearance of the scene of the accident. As such, timely photographs of the scene of the accident can be quite helpful.

In the aftermath of a T-Bone crash or collision, there are a number of challenges and issues that face the injured motorcyclist. Even if the police officer issues a traffic citation to the other driver, that does not mean that the case as to liability or damages will be an "open and shut case" from the perspective of the insurance company reviewing the claim. The police report is only one piece of the puzzle that comprises the case or claim on behalf of the injured motorcyclist. Florida law can be quite confusing as to what is compensable, the value of a case, and steps to take the properly protect and enforce the rights of the injured motorcyclist.

David A. Wolf is an attorney with over 30 years of experience representing individuals NOT big business or insurance companies. He believes in fulfilling a mission of Giving a Voice to Injured Motorcyclist and Their Families. As part of this mission, David A. Wolf has authored 12 books that focus on personal injury and safety issues. Contact David A. Wolf today for a Free Consultation. Get D. Wolf On Your Side - At Your Side.