November 18, 2025 | Car Accident
T-bone accidents, also called side-impact or broadside collisions, present serious dangers for anyone in the vehicle. These car crashes often occur at intersections when one vehicle strikes the side of another. Cars provide limited protection along the sides, which increases the risk of severe injuries.
Knowing the common injuries helps you seek medical care quickly and preserve your legal rights after a crash. This blog will discuss the common and often severe injuries, ranging from head trauma to internal organ damage, that result from T-bone or side-impact car accidents.
What Happens in a T-Bone Collision?
A T-bone collision happens when one vehicle hits the side of another, often at an intersection. Drivers may fail to yield or run a red light, resulting in a sudden and forceful impact. Occupants on the side of the struck vehicle face the greatest risk.
The force of the impact may cause the vehicle to spin or roll over, causing additional harm. The severity of injuries depends on vehicle speed, size, and the point of impact. Awareness of these dynamics explains why these accidents often produce serious injuries.
Why Do Side-Impact Crashes Cause Severe Harm?
Side-impact collisions remain dangerous because cars provide minimal protection along their sides. Unlike front and rear collisions, side panels lack strong crumple zones to absorb energy. Occupants directly absorb the crash’s force, frequently leading to worse injuries than in other crashes. The force can throw occupants against doors, windows, or seats, resulting in trauma to the head, neck, chest, and limbs.
Passengers on the impacted side face the highest risk. Side collisions consistently produce more serious injuries than minor fender benders or rear-end crashes. Anyone injured in a T-bone accident should consider consulting a Nashville personal injury attorney to protect their legal rights.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head and brain injuries frequently occur in T-bone collisions. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from the head striking objects inside the vehicle or from the brain moving violently within the skull. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, affecting cognitive and physical function. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and temporary or prolonged loss of consciousness. Delays in treatment can worsen the outcome. Prompt evaluation by a medical professional helps detect and treat brain injuries. A personal injury lawyer can assist you in pursuing compensation for these injuries.
Neck and Spine Trauma
Whiplash and other neck injuries appear frequently after side-impact collisions. Whiplash involves damage to the soft tissues of the neck—including muscles, ligaments, and tendons—caused by rapid back-and-forth motion. In an accident, your neck muscles try to keep your head stabilized and can be pushed past their limits, leading to a whiplash injury. The same can happen to your spine as it tries to keep your body from bouncing around inside the car.
Chest, Shoulder, and Rib Damage
Side impacts often injure the chest, ribs, and shoulders. Occupants may strike doors, windows, or interior structures, producing broken ribs, bruised lungs, or shoulder dislocations. The confined space in a side collision increases the likelihood of severe trauma to this area of the body.
Pelvic, Leg, and Hip Injuries
Side-impact collisions frequently produce fractures or dislocations in the pelvis, hips, or legs. The lower body absorbs much of the impact force due to its proximity to the point of collision. Hip dislocations and pelvic fractures often require surgery and prolonged recovery. Leg fractures can restrict movement and affect daily activities.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
T-bone impacts can produce life-threatening internal injuries. Organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or intestines may sustain lacerations or ruptures. Internal bleeding may not appear immediately, making immediate evaluation essential.
Steps to Take After a T-Bone Accident
After a T-bone collision, the steps you take can impact the outcome of a personal injury claim. To protect yourself:
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police and get medical help for anyone injured.
- Seek medical care immediately.
- If you are able to, document the accident scene by taking photos of the vehicles involved, the road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Gather contact and insurance information from other drivers and witnesses.
- As soon as you are able, report the accident to your insurance company, avoiding statements that admit fault.
Seeking legal counsel ensures your rights are protected and that you receive proper guidance on pursuing the compensation you deserve for your T-bone accident injuries.
Contact Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC to Get Help From a Nashville Car Accident Attorney Today
If injuries result from a T-bone crash, legal assistance offers guidance and protection. Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, can investigate your accident, gather evidence, and communicate with insurance companies to help you secure fair compensation. Let us help you assess your injuries and losses to determine the value of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with our Nashville car accident lawyers.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Lexington or Bowling Green, please contact our car accident lawyers at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC for a free case evaluation.
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC – Lexington, KY Office
325 W Main St #210, Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 550-2900
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC -Bowling Green, KY Office
814 State St. suite 100, Bowling Green, KY, 42101
(270) 517-2014
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC – Nashville Office
49 Music Square W #504, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 676-7060
