After a T-bone accident, you have several possible legal options. Here are some ways to recover your losses.
You can get medical expenses paid for by your health insurance company
Your health insurance company will only pay for medical expenses – not for lost wages or other damages, so this method is usually not the best option for getting full compensation for T-bone accidental injuries.
If your insurance company pays the bill and you subsequently receive compensation from another driver who caused the accident, the health insurance company will usually try to recover the money they paid as well.
You Can Get Compensated From Your Auto Insurance Company
If you live in a no-fault state and suffer a minor injury, your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance can cover medical expenses and some lost wages. Medical payment insurance (MedPay) can also pay for medical expenses.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance can also pay damages if the driver at fault in the accident is uninsured or has too little insurance.
You Can Get Compensation From At-Fault Drivers
If another driver was negligent and caused a T-bone accident, you can file a claim against that driver. Usually, that means dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The insurance company may offer you a settlement, or you may need to sue in court. No matter which method you take, the insurance company will only pay the maximum amount of the at-fault driver liability policy.
If your losses exceed your insurance coverage, you can file a claim against the driver yourself, but it may be difficult to recover the extra money.
You can get compensation from the at-fault driver’s employer
If the driver who caused the T-bone accident was performing work duties at the time, you can file a claim against the driver’s employer.
There is a legal principle called vicarious liability that states that a company is liable for the actions of its employees while on duty. This is true even if the company is not negligent at all.
you can get compensation from the government
If poorly designed roads or defective traffic lights cause a T-bone accident, the local, city or state government responsible for the roads could be to blame.
Filing a claim against a government entity can be more complex than a typical T-bone accident case due to special sovereign immunity rules that apply when the government is the defendant in the case. It is especially important to work with an attorney familiar with this type of claim.
You can get compensation from your automaker
If a vehicle defect causes a T-bone accident, the automaker or someone else in the supply chain may be to blame. For example, if defective brakes prevent the vehicle from stopping, the manufacturer of the brakes or the car with the brakes could be liable for damages.
