T-bone crashes are collisions that happen when one vehicle hits the other from the side. Also known as side-impact collisions or broadside crashes, these crashes cause frontal damage to one vehicle and side damage to the other.
It is common to see people suffer serious injuries after these crashes. Drivers or passengers who are hit on their side have little protection against that impact. Broken bones, crushing injuries, head injuries and others are all possible.
What are the common causes of T-bone crashes?
Common causes of T-bone collisions include:
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield
- Running a red light
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Running a stop sign
There are other possible causes as well.
What makes T-bone crashes so dangerous?
T-bone crashes are dangerous for a few reasons. The primary reason is because there is only a slim door or window between the passenger or driver’s side rider and the oncoming vehicle. If the oncoming vehicle hits an area that is empty, much of the shock can be absorbed. If not, then the victim is sitting directly in the path of the collision.
What has been done to minimize the damage from side-impact crashes?
Some vehicles now have side-impact airbags and stronger frames, so that side crashes are less likely to cause injuries. The majority of vehicles also go through side-impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The IIHS started its side-impact crash tests back in 2003, so that it could find out more about side-impact crashes and how to mitigate the force caused by them.
Using test dummies, the IIHS test creates a severe collision to identify how different people inside a vehicle will fare in a side-impact collision. They test for men, women and children. Using this information, car manufacturers can make adjustments to improve their vehicles and the safety standards that could help save lives.
T-bone crashes are severe and should be taken seriously when they occur. If you’re involved in one, call 911, check on the other people involved in the collision and seek medical attention right away.