A T-bone crash can result in significant injuries, vehicle loss, and long-term disruption to your life. In Virginia, a T-bone car accident settlement can help you recover the costs and expenses of such a devastating event. However, no two claims are the same, and the amount you might receive depends on many factors.
Low-speed crashes on local roads typically result in smaller payouts. High-impact collisions on area highways can involve more permanent injuries, leading to higher figures. However, that is not always the case. Even minor collisions can cause lasting injuries to sensitive areas, like the spine, head, or hands. At Merrick Brock, PLLC, our attorneys work diligently to understand the nature of your loss following a car accident. If you suffered injuries due to a T-bone crash, consulting with one of our personal injury attorneys can make a difference in what you recover now and for your future.
What Factors Drive T-Bone Settlements?
Many clients we see usually want to know upfront what the average settlement amount will be for their T-bone car wreck. Data from verdict reports, insurance settlements, and past case outcomes suggest most car accident settlements in Virginia fall between $30,000 and $200,000. However, different factors can dramatically impact this number. Let’s take a look at a few.
Injury Severity and Settlement Amounts
Not every T-bone crash causes significant or lasting damage, but some injuries result in higher settlements due to their long-term impact.
Common injuries in t-bone collisions include:
- Fractures of the ribs, pelvis, or arms;
- Spinal cord injuries that cause limited mobility or paralysis;
- Traumatic brain injuries from a sudden side impact, particularly if the head strikes the door window or framing;
- Whiplash;
- Internal bleeding or organ damage; and
- Emotional trauma, including anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The severity of the injuries, the duration of treatment, and the amount of the medical bills are usually the biggest factors in determining the value of a case. Objective injuries (things that can be seen and verified either visually or through a medical test) like broken bones, herniated discs, torn ligaments, bruises or cuts, generally increase the value of the claim. If a crash causes permanent impairment or disability, the settlement value may increase substantially to compensate for the cost of future treatment over the course of one’s life. Injuries requiring surgery or visible scarring also tend to increase compensation significantly.
An attorney experienced in handling t-bone accidents can evaluate the specific factors in your case and should be able to estimate a fairly accurate range of the settlement value of your case.
Location and Timing Can Shape Your Potential Recovery
Where the crash occurred can impact your potential payout. T-bone collisions in urban areas like Richmond or Alexandria often come with more supporting evidence, including nearby traffic cameras or eyewitness accounts. A t-bone crash on I-95 is more likely to support a higher payout than a t-bone crash in a parking lot, due to the speeds and forces involved.
Timing matters as well. Quick access to emergency care may help create a stronger medical record, one that ties directly to the incident. Prompt medical treatment helps draw a clear line between the collision and your injuries. Delays may allow insurers to question the cause or severity of your condition.
Liability: Who’s at Fault?
Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rule affects every personal injury claim. Under this standard, you cannot recover damages if you are found even 1% at fault for your T-bone accident. For example, if a driver who ran a red light at an intersection struck you, but you were speeding, the other side may argue that your speed contributed to the collision.
An experienced attorney can utilize accident reconstruction, physical evidence such as tire mark or gauges in the road, witness statements, and video footage to establish full fault on the other driver’s part.
Types of Damages Included in a T-Bone Car Accident Settlement
In Virginia, monetary damages are calculated based on both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses are actual financial losses and expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses. These losses are black-and-white and can be added up and calculated, although the insurance companies will still likely argue that certain medical bills or lost wages were unnecessary or unrelated to the car crash. Non-economic losses are even more open to interpretation and are often the subject of contention. Non-economic losses include pain and suffering (both physical and mental) caused by the crash and your injuries.
The damages you may be entitled to include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, physical therapy bills, and the estimated cost of future treatment;
- Lost wages if your injuries kept you from working;
- Pain and suffering due to your injuries, any long-term discomfort, or emotional distress;
- Disfigurement or deformity, such as a scar, limp, or burn;
- Loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job or occupation and earn the same amount; and
- Property damage, including repair or replacement of your vehicle.
Clear and supportive evidence such as medical records and bills, pay stubs, and expert medical opinions by your doctors can help increase the amount you claim for damages.
Negotiating the Average Settlement for T-Bone Accident Cases
Insurance companies in Virginia often offer low initial settlements, particularly to persons who are not represented by counsel. They may claim that your injuries are minor or that you contributed to the collision. They may try to rush the settlement process, usually with a quick but low settlement offer, hoping to settle your case before you know the full extent of what treatment will be required to heal you. Alternatively, if you do not accept their low-ball offer, they may delay evaluating your claim, or ignore your calls entirely, hoping you will become more desperate to settle your case. To secure a fair result, you should present a strong, organized case with evidence supporting both liability and damages. The insurance company is more likely to come to the negotiating table with a fair settlement offer if it knows you are well prepared, that you know the value of your case and are unwilling to settle for anything less, and that you are ready to file a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Steps that help maximize the average payout for a T-bone accident include:
- Taking photographs of the vehicles, the accident scene, and your injuries.
- Securing witness names and contact information. Do not assume the police department will obtain/retain this information.
- Attending all medical appointments and following your doctor’s instructions or any referrals to other medical specialties.
- Documenting time missed from work and how your life changed.
- Waiting until after you have concluded treatment or reached maximum medical improvement for your injuries. Rushing to a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your treatment and the medical costs will usually only benefit the insurance company.
- Hiring an experienced attorney early in the process to help investigate the crash, secure any evidence, and present your best case to the insurance company.
Most t-bone car accident settlements resolve without trial, but preparing as if you will go to court strengthens your position. Often times, the insurance company must fear trial or litigation before it will agree to make a reasonable offer, or any offer at all. A transparent case file and a firm understanding of your rights under Virginia law and the value of your case give you leverage in settlement discussions.
T-Bone Car Wreck? Secure the Settlement You Deserve
If you were injured in a T-bone crash, you should not have to guess what your case is worth. Insurance companies have lawyers working to limit your payout. You deserve someone on your side who knows how to build a compelling claim.
Merrick Brock, PLLC, has helped injured Virginians recover fair compensation after serious accidents. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney who understands Virginia’s laws and can fight for your interests. We will listen to your case, evaluate the factors unique to your situation, and offer you a reasonable estimate of the value of your settlement.