Top-Rated Injury Lawyers for T-Bone Accidents in Des Moines

T-bone accidents, where the front of a vehicle hits the side of another, are among the most serious crashes on our roadways. The reason for this, according to authorities, is that there’s minimal structural protection for occupants on the side of a vehicle.

As a result, T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, often cause extreme injuries or worse. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, side-impact crashes accounted for 22% of passenger/occupant deaths in 2022.

If you’ve been hurt or have lost a loved one in a T-bone accident, let our car accident lawyers at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling help protect your rights. You may be eligible to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim to get compensation for the losses you’ve suffered.

Causes of T-Bone Accidents in Des Moines

T-bone accidents can happen for many reasons, such as driver error, negligence, traffic violations, or irresponsible behavior. Some of the most common causes include:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to yield the right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding or otherwise reckless conduct
• Getting distracted by cellphones, other technology, or children

T-Bone Accidents Can Be Catastrophic

Certain factors, such as speeding, can make side-impact accidents more dangerous, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic injuries. High-speed T-bone collisions result in a forceful impact on areas of the car with no crumple zone. This impact is absorbed almost directly by the vehicle’s occupants and can result in one or more of these severe or life-threatening injuries:

• Whiplash: This is a soft-tissue injury where a person’s neck jerks backward and then snaps forward like a whip. People who suffer whiplash often have lasting pain and stiffness and a decreased range of motion for the rest of their lives.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: This is where a person’s brain moves violently inside their head, stretching nerves, creating imbalances, and disrupting normal brain function. The mildest form of this is a concussion.
• Broken Bones: These are often sustained when a person is tossed across the inside of the car or struck by vehicle components.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: This kind of injury can reduce a person’s ability to move and, in the worst cases, cause paralysis.
• Internal Organ Injury: Physical trauma causes damage to organs, such as the spleen or kidneys.

At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, we have extensive experience helping clients with cases of this kind. If you’re involved in a T-bone accident, don’t navigate the legal system on your own. Allow our attorneys to help you through it.

Compensation for Your Side-Impact Collision Injuries

Personal injury law allows you to seek compensation for damages that can result from a side-impact collision. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will be filing a lawsuit or going to court.

Insurance carriers are often anxious to settle cases outside the courtroom and may even call right after an accident to press for a settlement. Our attorneys at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling can take the pressure off you by handling those negotiations.

In settlement discussions, our attorneys will press for compensation for:

• The cost of emergency treatment and hospitalization
• Any immediate and follow-up surgeries
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages from time missed in recovery or follow-up appointments
• Diminished earning capacity if you are unable to return to work
• Assistive devices and other equipment to help with recovery
• Home and vehicle modifications to adapt to injuries

We can help you carefully document your injuries to make a realistic claim with excellent chances of success. In addition to direct economic damages, personal injury plaintiffs may be able to pursue compensation for what the law considers “non-economic” damages. These include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If a case involves a fatality and you file a wrongful death claim, you can recover similar types of damages. These include reimbursement for medical care, as well as more subjective damages such as loss of consortium and earnings potential. It’s also possible to claim compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering in the accident before they died.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Iowa is generally two years. If you don’t file within that period, your claim may be rejected.

What Our Des Moines T-Bone Accident Lawyers Can Do

Having Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling on your side can help you recover from your side-impact collision in several ways. We can negotiate a settlement for you with the insurance company by:

• Investigating the circumstances and assessing the case against the law
• Collecting evidence such as photos, videos, police reports, and testimonies
• Helping document your injuries
• Determining your financial losses to establish how much your case may be worth, including future damages
• Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court if a settlement cannot be reached

Contact Us Today

With decades of experience, we’re skilled in helping clients through the most complex injury cases. Call us or contact us online today for a free initial consultation. We’ll then evaluate your case and plan a path forward. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.