DuPage County T-Bone Accident Attorneys Fighting For Maximum Compensation

T-bone accidents often cause devastating injuries that can change your life in an instant. These crashes occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape on impact.

At The Crannell Law Group, LLC, our attorneys understand the physical, emotional and financial toll these accidents take. Jonathan Crannell brings years of trial experience to every case, fighting aggressively against insurance companies that try to minimize your suffering. As Naperville residents themselves, our lawyers know the local courts and understand how to build compelling cases for clients throughout DuPage County and Illinois.

What Makes T-Bone Collisions Dangerous?

T-bone accidents, also called broadside or lateral impact crashes, are one of the most dangerous collision types on Illinois roads. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s crash data, angle and turning crashes are among the most common and deadly accident types in our state. They led to the injury of almost 83,000 people in 2018 – 153 of those were fatal.

T-bone accidents typically happen at:

Four-way intersections with traffic signals
Uncontrolled intersections with stop signs
Left-turn scenarios across oncoming traffic
Parking lot entrances and exits

What makes these collisions particularly dangerous is the lack of protection between the striking vehicle and the passengers. In front or rear collisions, the engine compartment or trunk absorbs the impact. However, in a T-bone collision, only a door and a window separate the driver and passengers from the other car.

Common Causes Of T-Bone Accidents In Naperville

Many T-bone accidents are the result of driver error. Our attorneys regularly see cases involving:

Drivers running red lights or stop signs
Failure to yield the right-of-way when required
Distracted driving, such as texting, phone use or adjusting GPS
Misjudging gaps in traffic when turning
Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
Speeding through intersections
Poor visibility due to weather conditions
Blind spots at complex intersections

These cross-traffic accidents often happen in seconds. However, the resulting injuries may take you months or years to recover from. When another driver’s negligence causes your injuries, you have the right to seek full compensation.

Who Is At Fault In A T-Bone Crash?

To determine who is at fault in T-bone accidents, courts look at a variety of factors. The driver who crashes into the side is not always at fault. Instead, fault or liability depends on those who did not follow traffic rules or failed to exercise reasonable care.

In Illinois, fault determination follows these principles:

Right-of-way rules establish which driver should have yielded
Traffic signal compliance, such as who had the green light or stop sign
Modified comparative negligence laws may reduce compensation if you share partial fault
Multiple parties might share liability, such as other drivers, municipalities for poor road design or vehicle manufacturers for defective components

In Illinois, a person can receive compensation as long as they are less than 51% at fault for the accident. However, the court may reduce their compensation by the percentage of their responsibility. Hence, collecting evidence is crucial.

Our T-bone accidents attorneys will thoroughly review police reports, witness accounts, traffic camera footage and vehicle damage details to establish fault. When necessary, we will work with professionals who can recreate the accident to show precisely how it happened.

What Types Of Compensation Can You Seek In Your Claim?

When our attorneys take on your case, we work to recover compensation for the full scope of losses caused by your T-bone accident, which may include:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization and surgeries
Future medical needs, such as rehabilitation or long-term treatment
Lost wages during your recovery period
Reduced earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous job
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Adaptive equipment or home modifications for permanent disabilities

Illinois does not impose caps on damages in personal injury cases. This means our attorneys can pursue the full value of your claim, including both economic and noneconomic damages. However, insurance companies often attempt to settle for less than what your case is truly worth.

Our attorneys will manage all communications with your insurers, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your claim. Moreover, they prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Our lawyers make sure that your claim is supported by strong evidence and a clear legal strategy from the very beginning.

Don’t Wait To Seek The Help You Need: Call Us Today

Illinois law gives you two years to file a personal injury claim and five years for property damage. However, the sooner you start, the better we can protect your rights and gather strong evidence.

Call The Crannell Law Group, LLC at (630) 995-9995 today for a free consultation. You can also send us your questions and concerns through our contact page. We’ll walk you through your options and help you understand what to expect.