Side Impact Collisions

David Gruber works with his wife, attorney Nancy Gruber, who is managing partner. Their son Steven Gruber, who also is an attorney, joined the firm. We treat our clients as we would want our own family members to be treated. Our T-bone accident attorneys offer a free case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Gruber Law Offices only charges an attorney’s fee if we recover compensation for you. Our philosophy is, “One call… that’s all!” It’s as simple as that: you call Gruber Law Offices, and our dedicated team will take care of all aspects of your T-bone car accident case.

What Is a T-bone Accident?

When a driver runs a red light at a Milwaukee intersection, the most common type of car crash that occurs is a side-impact or broadside collision. This type of crash is often referred to as a T-bone accident or right-angle accident. Two vehicles converge from cross streets at an intersection, and one driver fails to obey a traffic light or yield the right of way. As a result, one vehicle smashes into the driver’s side or passenger side of the other vehicle.

While advances in car design have increased protection in side impact collisions, these crashes can still cause serious injuries or life-threatening injuries to those involved. The door panels and sides of cars generally have less structure to absorb the impact of the crash than the front or back of a vehicle. Near side crashes in which the occupant is seated on the side of the car that is struck pose a higher risk of causing serious or life-threatening injuries such as traumatic brain injuries. However, depending on the force of impact, those who are seated on the opposite side of a vehicle from the side struck also may sustain serious or fatal injuries.

Who Is At Fault in a T-bone Accident?

Nearly all T-bone accidents are caused by driver errors.

Many broadside crashes at Milwaukee intersections involve drivers running stop signs or red lights. Most drivers know that trying to beat a traffic light is extremely dangerous. Rather than braking in response to a changing traffic light, some impulsive motorists accelerate and speed through the intersection, even after the light has turned red. This dangerous driving behavior often results in side impact accidents.

T-bone collisions also may occur when a vehicle is turning onto a road from a side street, alley or driveway, misjudges the speed of an approaching vehicle and pulls into the path of the vehicle, resulting in a collision.

Winter weather conditions including slick roads and reduced visibility cause some broadside collisions. A motorist may drive too fast on a snow or ice-covered road, be unable to stop and slide through an intersection into another vehicle.

Most broadside collisions are preventable crashes caused by a driver’s misjudgment or disregard for safety. Milwaukee police may charge a driver who ran a red light and caused an accident with failure to yield, reckless driving or other charges, depending on the specifics of the accident.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a T-bone Accident

After a T-bone collision in Milwaukee accident, you are required by law to stop at the scene of the accident. You should determine whether anyone is injured and needs an ambulance. Follow this easy guide to know what to do after a car accident in Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin law requires that you report any accident involving an injury or $1,000 or more in vehicle or property damage. You should call 9-1-1, report the accident and request an ambulance if needed and wait for a police officer to arrive.

You are required to provide your name, address, driver’s license and vehicle registration number to the other motorists involved. If another driver refuses to share their license or registration information, then allow the police to gather all the driver information when they arrive.

While waiting for the police to arrive, you should use your phone camera to take photos of the side-impact collision, the position of the vehicles and your injuries. If you are unable to take photos, you should ask someone else to do so for you, if possible. Accident scene photos can provide helpful evidence if you pursue an accident claim.

The police will file a car accident report that will document the basic details of the T-bone crash and the drivers involved and where the accident occurred. The police report is the first piece of evidence that insurance companies will use to determine who is at-fault and financially liable for the accident.

If the other motorist disputes their responsibility for causing the crash, their insurance company will likely side with their policyholder to avoid a payout and may dismiss your claim. You will have to persuade the insurer that their policyholder is liable for your losses and therefore the insurance company has a responsibility to compensate you for your losses.

Rather than trying to deal with another driver’s insurance company, it is best to have an experienced lawyer contact the insurance company on your behalf and investigate for you.

A T-bone accident lawyer at Gruber Law Offices can investigate the accident, gather evidence to support your claim and identify those who are at fault and potentially liable. Our attorneys will calculate the cost of your current medical bills and anticipated future medical expenses, your lost wages, and impaired earning capacity and seek a settlement that reflects the full value of your losses.