I Was Injured In A T-Bone Accident In Missouri — What Do I Do Now?

Sansone & Lauber | | Car Accidents

If you were injured in a T-bone accident in Missouri, get medical care now, call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 for a free case review, preserve evidence (photos, witnesses, police report), and do not give a recorded statement to any insurer until you talk with us—below is your step-by-step plan to protect your health, your rights, and your settlement.

Quick-Start Checklist (Do These Now)

  1. Get medical care immediately. Go to the ER/urgent care or your doctor. Follow all treatment orders.

  2. Call a lawyer before insurers call you. 314-863-0500 (Sansone & Lauber). Free case review. No fee unless we win.

  3. Preserve evidence. Photos/video of the intersection, vehicles, skid marks, traffic lights/signs, and your injuries. Save your clothing and car seats if torn/bloodied.

  4. Get the police report info. Officer name/ID, incident number, and how to obtain the full report.

  5. Collect contact details. At-fault driver, insurance, plate number, witnesses, nearby businesses with cameras.

  6. Don’t post about the crash online. Social posts get twisted against you.

  7. Track your losses. Medical bills, mileage to appointments, lost wages, PTO used, repair/total-loss paperwork, rental receipts.

  8. Let us handle the adjuster. We stop lowball tactics, protect your claim, and fight for full compensation.

Why T-Bone Collisions Are So Dangerous

T-bone (side-impact) crashes deliver blunt force directly into the side of a vehicle, where occupants have less structural protection than the front or rear. Even at moderate speeds, side impacts can crush door frames, intrude into the cabin, and violently whip the neck and torso. Common injuries include:

  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

  • Neck and back injuries (disc herniations, radiculopathy)

  • Shoulder labrum/rotator cuff tears from seatbelt restraint

  • Hip and pelvic fractures from door intrusion

  • Chest trauma (rib fractures, sternal injuries)

  • Knee and lower-extremity injuries from dashboard/console impact

  • Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding

  • Psychological trauma, anxiety, and sleep disruption

If symptoms evolve days later—headaches, dizziness, numbness, vision issues, memory trouble—get re-evaluated and tell us. Delayed symptoms are very common after side impacts.

Who’s At Fault In A Missouri T-Bone Crash?

Liability usually turns on right-of-way and traffic-control violations:

  • Running a red light or stop sign

  • Left-turn across oncoming traffic at an intersection

  • Failure to yield when exiting a driveway or private lot

  • Speeding, distracted driving, or impairment

  • Commercial drivers rolling a right on red and slicing across your lane

  • Missouri uses comparative fault—even if the insurer claims you were “a little” at fault (e.g., you were already rolling at a stale green, or visibility was poor), you can still recover damages; your recovery may be reduced by any proven percentage of fault. Our job is to drive your fault share down and prove theirs up using evidence.

Evidence Wins T-Bone Cases: What We Gather (Fast)

We move quickly to preserve and build proof:

  • Intersection data: light timing sequences, phasing diagrams, and maintenance logs

  • Traffic-cam and nearby business video (gas stations, pharmacies, fast-food drive-thrus)

  • Vehicle EDR “black box” data: speed, braking, throttle, seatbelts, impact severity

  • Skid-mark and crush analysis to model angle/velocity and point of impact

  • Witness statements (promptly taken while memories are fresh)

  • Cell-phone forensics to expose distraction at the moment of impact

  • Ride-share/commercial logs for duty status and routing (Uber/Lyft, delivery vans, box trucks)

  • Scene inspections: sight lines, obstructed signage, defective signals, debris fields

  • Medical proof: diagnostic imaging reports, specialist notes, future-care opinions

Time matters. Video overwrites, vehicles get repaired, and memories fade. Call us early so we can lock down the evidence.

What To Say (And Not Say) To Insurance

Say less. Share only the basics for claim opening: your name, date, vehicles involved, and our contact info. Do not give a recorded statement or speculate about speed, fault, or injuries. Phrases like “I’m okay” or “I didn’t see them” get weaponized against you. Let us speak for you.

Medical authorizations: Don’t sign broad releases that let insurers fish through your entire history. We control what’s relevant.

Medical Care: The Foundation Of Your Case (And Your Recovery)

  • Go now, follow through. Gaps in treatment and missed follow-ups are Exhibit A for adjusters.

  • Specialists matter. Orthopedists, neurologists, concussion clinics, PT, pain management.

  • Document everything. Keep a symptom journal, work-impact notes, and photos of bruising/swelling.

  • Future care and costs. We obtain life-care planning and surgeon opinions when injuries are significant.

Your health is the top priority—and consistent medical documentation is the backbone of a strong settlement.

How Case Value Is Calculated In A Missouri T-Bone Case

No two cases are identical, but insurers (and juries) look at:

  1. Medical treatment: ER, imaging, injections, surgery, rehab, ongoing care

  2. Permanent impairment: restricted motion, nerve damage, hardware, scarring

  3. Lost income: missed work, reduced hours, lost contracts/overtime, future earning capacity

  4. Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional distress, lifestyle changes, loss of enjoyment

  5. Out-of-pocket costs: prescriptions, devices, travel to appointments

  6. Comparative fault: we work to minimize any alleged share against you

  7. Defendant type: commercial policies and safety violations can increase leverage

  8. Venue: where the case would be tried (jury pools differ)

We build a fact-driven damages story with evidence (not guesses). That’s how you avoid lowball offers.

What If The Other Driver Was Uninsured Or Underinsured?

We investigate UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage on your own policy and any resident-relative policies in your household. We also examine umbrella coverage and commercial policies when a work vehicle is involved. Mistakes here leave money on the table—don’t assume there’s no coverage until we look.

Commercial, Rideshare, And Government-Vehicle T-Bone Crashes

  • Commercial trucks/delivery vans: We preserve driver logs, dispatch data, GPS, and maintenance. Safety-rule violations (hours of service, training gaps) can raise exposure.

  • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Coverage can change based on “app on,” en-route, or carrying passenger. We know the layers and how to trigger higher limits.

  • Government vehicles/road hazards: Special notice rules and tighter deadlines may apply. Call us early—we’ll protect your rights.

How Sansone & Lauber Fights (And Wins)

We’re trial lawyers. We prepare every case like it’s heading to a jury—because leverage comes from readiness. Our approach:

  • Rapid evidence preservation (video, EDR, witness contact)

  • Medical proof that connects mechanism of injury to your symptoms and lasting harm

  • Aggressive negotiation backed by trial readiness

  • Clear communication—you’ll always know where your case stands

Real-world results: Our team has secured multi-million-dollar outcomes, including a headline $14.2 million recovery for a severely injured crash client.

Step-By-Step Guide: From Crash To Full Recovery

Step 1: Medical First

  • ER/urgent care now. Report every symptom. Ask about follow-up and red-flag signs.

  • Keep all discharge papers. Schedule specialist visits promptly.

Step 2: Lawyer Up Early

  • Call 314-863-0500. We’ll open the claim, protect you from adjusters, and start evidence preservation.

Step 3: Lock Down Evidence

  • Photos/video from every angle: traffic signals, lane markings, road debris, glass, crush zones.

  • Identify cameras: traffic poles, storefronts, apartments. We send preservation letters.

  • Save damaged items (seatbelts, car seats, broken glasses).

  • Provide only routine info. No recorded statements. No guessing about speed or fault.

Step 4: Document Damages

  • Keep a simple log of pain levels, sleep issues, missed events, and tasks you can’t do.

  • Track pay stubs, HR letters, and time-off records. We can help verify wage loss.

Step 5: Strategic Treatment & Proof

  • Follow the plan. If therapy stalls, ask about next-level care. We coordinate with your providers to capture prognosis and future-care costs.

Step 6: Valuation & Demand

  • When treatment stabilizes (or we can project future care), we compile a comprehensive demand with exhibits, bills, wage proof, and expert opinions.

Step 7: Negotiate. Litigate. Win.

  • We negotiate from strength. If the insurer won’t be fair, we file suit and push forward.

FAQs: Missouri T-Bone Accident Questions We Hear Every Day

Q: Who pays my medical bills now?
A: We pursue the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. In the meantime, your health insurance, Med Pay (if on your auto policy), or provider liens may front costs. We structure this to maximize your net recovery.

Q: What if the police report is wrong?
A: It happens. Reports can be incomplete or mistaken. We counter with video, EDR data, eyewitnesses, and reconstruction to prove the true sequence.

Q: The other driver says I “pulled out.” Am I stuck with some fault?
A: Not necessarily. Line-of-sight, signal timing, speeding, and distraction can shift fault. Missouri’s comparative fault lets us recover even if they claim you share some responsibility.

Q: How long do I have to file?
A: Legal deadlines can be strict and vary by claim type and defendant. Call us ASAP so we can protect your rights before any deadline runs.

Q: Should I take the first offer?
A: Early offers are almost always too low. Without full medical documentation and a complete damages picture, you risk leaving significant money on the table.

Q: What if my car doesn’t look that damaged but I’m hurt?
A: Injury severity isn’t perfectly correlated with visible damage—especially in side impacts. Medical evidence, not photos alone, drives value.

Q: Can I get a rental car?
A: Typically yes, through the at-fault carrier or your policy. We help ensure the rental period and rate are fair.

Q: What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or flees?
A: We target UM coverage on your policy and any resident-relative policies.

Q: How much is my case worth?
A: It depends on your injuries, treatment, impairment, wage loss, future care, and fault allocation. We’ll give you an honest range after reviewing your records and evidence.

Why Call Sansone & Lauber NowI Was Injured In A T-Bone Accident In Missouri

  • No upfront cost.

  • Local trial experience. We know Missouri intersections, venues, and juries.

  • Relentless evidence work. We move fast to capture proof others miss.

  • Clear communication. You’ll never wonder what’s next.

  • Maximum-value mindset. We prepare for trial to drive better settlements.

CALL SANSONE & LAUBER AT 314-863-0500 FOR A FREE 100% FREE CASE EVALUATION.