Broadside or T-bone crashes are some of the deadliest of all crash types. In 2018, side-impact crashes made up 23% or 5,350 deaths of those who died while riding in a passenger vehicle, according to a report from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.
Travelers on rural highways are more susceptible to high-injury broadside crashes because of the higher speed limit of most highways. Most of the rural highways have a speed limit of 50 mph or more, and when a car turns into the path of another vehicle going that fast, the crash can be deadly.
Woman Killed in Broadside Collision in Richmond
Tragedy struck Saturday, April 11, 2020, around 8:30 p.m. when a woman was gravely injured in an accident on Highway 25 (Berea Road) just south of Duncannon Ln. According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the accident happened when the driver of a Crown Victoria attempted to turn into a convenience store and was broadsided by a Silverado pickup.
Two female passengers and the driver of the Crown Victoria were taken to the University of Kentucky Medical Center. One of the passengers was pronounced dead at the hospital and the other, along with the driver, were treated for minor injuries and released.
The Dangers Broadside Crashes
Also called side-impact crashes, broadside crashes are dangerous and can even be deadly because of the vulnerability of the side of a car. Most cars don’t have side airbags which even when deployed aren’t as effective as front airbags.
Common Injuries in a Broadside Collision
The side impact throws the occupants violently from side to side and seatbelts are better suited to protect frontal and rear-end collisions. First responders and trauma center workers see certain common injuries that occur in a broadside accident, some of them are:
- Neck Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Collar Bones
- Broken/Displaced Ribs
- Broken Arms/Legs
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
Broadside Liability
In most broadside collisions, one car usually turns in front of the other. The speed of the other vehicle can be a factor as well, along with distracted driving like cell phone use. In Kentucky, the at-fault driver has to pay for the damages incurred by anyone who is injured because of the crash, and the insurance company for that driver will cover those damages.
Passenger Injuries
This includes any passengers in the at-fault driver’s car. The law doesn’t look at where the victims were when the crash happened, rather it looks at which driver was negligent and that driver will have to pay for anyone who was injured—even if they were a passenger in the same car.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Accident victims often wonder if they need an attorney, and the answer is often yes. Always speak to an attorney after any crash resulting in a serious injury or loss of a loved one. That said, an attorney is not needed in each and every case.
The insurance company agents have years of experience and are good at their job which is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field. Talk to someone you can trust to be on your side and get you what is yours under the law.
The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the results they deserve. To discuss your case, call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, at (800) 937-8443 or click here to contact them online.
