A T-bone crash — also called a broadside or side-impact collision — is one of the most dangerous wrecks on the road. When the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, there’s little more than a door between you and the impact, and the injuries are often severe. These crashes usually happen at intersections, where the question of who had the right of way decides everything. Decker Law investigates that question and fights for what you’re owed. Call 757-622-3317 for a free consultation, available 24/7.
WHY T-BONE CRASHES CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES
The sides of a vehicle simply don’t have the buffer the front and rear do — no engine block, no trunk, just a door and a window between an occupant and a striking car. That’s why side-impact crashes are so punishing: according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, they account for roughly a quarter of vehicle-occupant deaths. Common injuries range from concussions and brain trauma to whiplash and herniated discs, spinal damage, and chest, pelvic, and abdominal injuries with the risk of internal organ damage.
Most T-bones happen at intersections, and most trace back to one driver ignoring the right of way — a dangerous left turn, a run red light, a rolled stop sign, or a driver too distracted to notice cross traffic. Because the impact lands on the side, where you’re least protected, even a “routine” intersection error can change a life in an instant.
T-BONE ACCIDENTS: WHAT TO KNOW
What causes T-bone accidents?
Failure to yield the right of way is the common thread: dangerous left turns, running red lights, rolling through stop signs, and distraction at intersections.
What injuries are common?
Head and brain injuries, neck injuries including whiplash and herniated discs, back and spinal-cord damage, and chest, pelvic, and abdominal injuries that can involve internal organs.
Who’s at fault?
Usually the driver who failed to yield or made the improper turn. But the driver traveling straight can share or carry fault if they ran a light or were speeding. Traffic cameras and witnesses are often decisive — and in Virginia, because of pure contributory negligence, even a small share of blame assigned to you can bar recovery entirely, so fault has to be established cleanly.
What should I do after a T-bone crash?
Call emergency services, get medical care even for injuries that seem minor, document the scene and the intersection, avoid speculating about fault, and talk to a lawyer before dealing with the insurers.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker concentrates on personal injury, elder law, wills, trusts and estates, litigation, corporate law, and criminal defense. She handles civil, probate, and traffic cases throughout the seven cities of Greater Hampton Roads.
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Cole Roberts
A Norfolk native and former Public Defender, Cole Roberts represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters, from reckless driving and DUI to serious felonies. He has tried numerous jury cases across the seven Hampton Roads cities.
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Martin Thomas, Jr.
Martin Thomas, Jr. focuses on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law, along with contract law and civil litigation. He tries cases in the courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake, and serves on Norfolk City Council.
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Joseph Rigney
A Chesapeake native and former prosecutor, Joseph Rigney focuses on personal injury and criminal defense, including traffic law. He tries both civil and criminal cases in the courts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
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Martin Thomas
Martin Thomas is the firm’s president and managing attorney, concentrating on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law. He handles multimillion-dollar injury cases throughout Virginia and has been named to Super Lawyers for personal injury.
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Peter Decker, III
Peter Decker, III focuses his practice on criminal, traffic, and personal injury. He regularly practices in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News.
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Joel Weintraub
Joel Weintraub has been practicing law for over 40 years and focuses his practice on civil litigation involving disputes between individuals and corporations. Joel’s recent cases involve corporate litigation, personal injury, business law, will and trust contests and interpretation, shareholder rights, and estate administration.
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Jeffrey Partington
A Virginia Beach native, Jeffrey Partington serves clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business law, and has worked both sides of the aisle. He practices in the courts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Suffolk.
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George Neskis
George Neskis represents clients charged with criminal and traffic offenses — from DUI and reckless driving to felony matters — and also handles personal injury. A former Norfolk Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, he practices across all seven Hampton Roads cities and has been named to Super Lawyers for criminal defense.
Side-impact cases turn on right-of-way and intersection evidence that doesn’t stay available long — camera footage gets overwritten, witnesses move on. The sooner we start, the more we can prove. Reach us by text, chat, phone, or email — or call right now at 757-622-3317.
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