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If you, or a family member, have suffered injuries in a Buffalo, New York car accident, you may be entitled to obtain monetary compensation. However, New York is a “no-fault” state which means that regardless of who was responsible for the crash, both drivers and passengers must file claims against the no-fault insurance of the vehicle that they were in. Under New York law, proof of no-fault insurance, also commonly referred to as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, is required before registering a vehicle. Personal injury protection coverage promptly pays accident victims for their economic damages, such as hospital bills, lost income, and other essential expenses. 

Minimum Liability Insurance Coverage

Every motorist is required to purchase minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage, including: 

A T-Bone car accident occurs when one vehicle collides with another at a ninety-degree angle, forming a “T” shape. Typically, T-bones involve two vehicles and are also known as side-impact crashes or broadside collisions. These types of accidents tend to cause severe injuries and even fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Traffic Safety Facts Annual Report, angle collisions accounted for 6,354 deaths, approximately 20 percent of traffic fatalities. 

How Do They Occur?

Most T-Bone accidents happen at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield the right-of-way. For instance, a car may run a stop sign or red light and smash into the passenger side of another vehicle. However, side-impact crashes can occur anywhere and are not just limited to intersections. One common broadside scenario includes a driver backing out of an alley without noticing approaching vehicles. Additionally, various other factors can significantly contribute to broadsides such as:

A head-on collision, also commonly known as a “front impact accident” or “frontal crash,” occurs when two vehicles moving in opposite directions smash into each other’s front ends. Because of the high speeds often involved, head-on collisions tend to be some of the most gruesome types of car accidents. Generally, the gravity of injuries accompanying front impact accidents is much more substantial when compared to other types of crashes, such as sideswipes or rear-end collisions. For victims that are fortunate enough to survive these ravaging crashes, it may take months or even years to begin to recover physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Not to mention the hospital bills and other financial damages to consider, which add further stress to victims and their families.  

Head-On Collisions Often Result In Devastating Injuries  

Although frontal crashes are uncommon compared to other car accidents, statistics confirm that they are the most dangerous and fatal of all crashes. According to the Insurance Information Institute, head-on collisions only accounted for 2 percent of all car accidents in a recent year. However, they were responsible for more than 10 percent of all deadly crashes. Head-on collisions generate the most significant impact force when both vehicles are in motion directly before colliding. During even head-on collisions that involve relatively low speeds, drivers and passengers are highly vulnerable to destructive forces. Common injuries that victims suffer include:

While the safety features on vehicles advance, most manufacturers have focused on protecting drivers while leaving passenger safety systems deficient. Consequently, passengers often suffer the brunt of injuries. Depending on the circumstances that led to the accident, passengers may be able to hold the drivers of the cars they were in, drivers of other vehicles involved, manufacturers of defective vehicles or parts, and government entities responsible for their injuries.

Common Passenger Injuries

During even minor accidents, passengers’ bodies can be subjected to powerful forces, such as unexpected acceleration, abrupt stopping, and extreme rotation. Depending on where a passenger was sitting, the type of accident, and the speed of the vehicles, the severity of their injuries can vary substantially. For example, passengers seated in the front are more likely to hit their heads on dashboards and suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The risk of backseat passengers suffering whiplash or spinal injuries is significantly higher, especially during rear-end crashes. In the event of a side-impact collision, passengers sitting on the impacted side of the vehicle are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, passengers can suffer a broad spectrum of other injuries and complications, including: