T-Bone Crashes - the Deadliest - Ocala Accident Attorney Explains

Will your vehicle protect you in a broadside crash? Ocala, Florida, accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, gives tips on what to look for in a car for the best chance of surviving these deadly accidents. He also gives statistics, factors, and common injuries of T-bone collisions.

What is a "T-bone" crash?

A "T-bone" crash refers to a side impact or a broadside collision, in which one vehicle impacts the other in a perpendicular formation. These crashes are the deadliest, causing serious head injury.

T-bone Statistics:

A broadside collision is deadlier than a head-on crash or rear-impact. Picture it: there's no crumple zone, just a thin door and window. The T-bone crash became even deadlier in recent years with the dramatic increase in number of SUV's.

In crashes between passenger cars, 51% of deaths occurred in side impacts (year 2000-01), according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Add SUV's and trucks into the mix, and the death rate in T-bone crashes increases to 60%. Why? SUV's are heavier, built like tanks, and destructive to passenger cars and occupants, especially in broadside collisions.

Common Factors in a T-bone Crash:

  • 1. Red-light-running crashes;
  • 2. Deadliest T-bone accidents involve trucks and SUV's;
  • 3. Intersection related;
  • 4. Involves a traffic sign;
  • 5. Laterally striking a pole or tree;
  • 6. Partial ejection through a side window.

Common Injuries:

How to protect yourself in a T-bone accident:

All cars are not created equally. Surviving a T-bone crash may depend on a car's design and safety features. Choose a car with the following features:

  • 1. Side-Curtain Airbags: Purchase a car with side-curtain airbags to provide side impact protection for your head, in the event of a t-bone crash. Beginning in 2009, side air bags should be standard.
  • 2. Torso Airbags: Torso side airbags are designed to protect the chest area that may be crushed and impacted in a broadside collision.
  • 3. Side Impact Rating: Before purchasing a vehicle, check government the model's side impact crash rating.
  • 4. Structural Soundness: Go for a car with structurally sound sides to withstand hits from cars and trucks of varying heights. Here, a car's weight matters-a heavier car may better endure a heavier impact.


For more information:

Forbes 20 most dangerous cars

Side impact test rating information




Attorney Jeffrey Meldon

Hello, I am Jeffrey Meldon. As an accident attorney, I strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one. 

My Office and Assoicates are located in Gainesville, Florida. We are Personal Injury Attorneys (Accident Lawyers). I take pride in my work and the results that I and my experienced team of Associates and Staff get for our clients.  

Everyone in my Office works hard to help accident victims get the justice and the fair settlement or jury verdict that they deserve thoughout the North and Central Florida area including: Ocala, Marion County, Alachua County, Lake City, Citrus County, Daytona Beach, and Inverness. I am highly involved with every case in my office and am the negotiator with insurance companies.

You can feel free to give me a call at 1 800 373 8000 or contact my office, with any questions you may have, or to discuss your unique case.

Consultations and Case Evaluations are always Free