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T-Bone Accident Lawyer in New Orleans
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New Orleans T-Bone Accident Lawyers Near Me
Free Consultation for Side-Impact Collision Cases Near Kenner
A T-bone crash gives you no time to react. One driver runs a light, or turns left across traffic without looking, and the side of your car takes the full hit. Unlike front and rear crashes, side-impact collisions provide less space between the occupant and the point of impact, which can increase the risk of serious injuries.
At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we handle side-impact collision claims across New Orleans, Metairie, and Kenner. Our New Orleans car accident lawyers know how these cases get built, and we know how insurance companies shift blame when two drivers tell two different stories about who had the green light.
We have recovered approximately $3 Billion for injured people and their families (past results do not guarantee future outcomes). If you or someone you love was hurt in a T-bone accident, we are ready to go to work.
Types of T-Bone Accident Injuries Our New Orleans Lawyers Handle
In a front or rear crash, several feet of engine or trunk absorb force before it reaches you. In a T-bone, almost nothing does. A door, a window, and a few inches of steel are all that stand between you and the other vehicle. That is why a side-impact injury lawyer in New Orleans reads the medical record closely before anyone talks about settlement value.
These are the injuries we see most often after a broadside crash.
- Second Degree Burn
- Third Degree Burn
- Muscle Strain
- Electrical Burn Injury
- Contusion Injury
- Chemical Burn
- Sprain
- Skull Fracture
- Shoulder Injury
- Collapsed Lung
- Organ Damage
- Lacerations and Abrasions
- Concussion
- Knee Injury
- Internal Bleeding
- Hip Fracture
- Herniated Disc
- Catastrophic Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Chronic Pain
- Internal Injuries
- CTE Brain Injury
- Brain Injury
- Neck injury
- Soft Tissue Injury
- Paralysis Injury
- Whiplash
- Pain & Suffering
- Back Injury
- Broken Bones
- Burn Injury
- And More ...
New Orleans Side-Impact Crash Statistics
Side impacts are a small share of all crashes and a large share of the worst outcomes. These are national figures, and they show why a T-bone collision lawyer in New Orleans treats these cases seriously from day one.
5,047
passenger vehicle occupants were killed in side-impact crashes in 2024.
22%
of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths that year came from side impacts.
26%
of car occupant deaths came from side impacts
Source: IIHS Fatality Facts
Who Is at Fault in a New Orleans T-Bone Accident?
Fault usually turns on right of way, and Louisiana law spells out who has it.
At an intersection with no signals or signs, La. R.S. 32:121(A) says that when two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. For left turns, La. R.S. 32:122 says the turning driver yields to oncoming traffic already in the intersection, or close enough to be an immediate hazard.
Those rules give an intersection accident lawyer in New Orleans a starting point, not an answer. The driver who was struck can still be assigned a percentage of fault depending on the facts, including evidence concerning speed, attention, or other contributing conduct. We gather signal timing, nearby camera footage, damage patterns, and witness accounts to show what actually happened.
When the striking vehicle is a commercial truck, more evidence exists and more of it disappears quickly. Our New Orleans truck accident lawyers move fast to preserve electronic data and driver records.
What Is a T-Bone or Side-Impact Collision?
A T-bone collision happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a rough letter T. People also call it a broadside crash or a side impact. Most happen at intersections, where two paths cross and only one driver has the right of way.
The first hit is often not the last. A struck vehicle can spin into another lane, strike a pole, or roll over. Your claim has to account for every impact in the sequence, not just the first one.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents in New Orleans
Possible causes include:
- Failing to yield while turning left
- Poor visibility or poor roadway design
How Louisiana’s Modified Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim
Louisiana changed this rule recently, and the change matters.
Under La. Civ. Code art. 2323, as amended by Acts 2025, No. 15, effective January 1, 2026, a person who is 51% or more at fault cannot recover damages at all. Someone found less than 51% at fault can still recover, reduced by their share. Article 2323(C) also provides that a claim is not reduced when the other party is an intentional tortfeasor.
Because fault percentages can affect recovery, an insurer may investigate whether the injured driver contributed to the crash. In a T-bone case, the argument usually sounds like you should have seen them coming. Pushing back on it is one of the most valuable things a side collision attorney in New Orleans does for you.
How Long Do You Have to File a T-Bone Accident Claim in New Orleans?
Louisiana calls this prescription. Most people know it as the statute of limitations.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1 generally provides a two-year prescriptive period for delictual injury claims, beginning when the injury or damage is sustained. The applicable deadline can vary depending on the type of claim and circumstances.This article took effect July 1, 2024, and it replaced a shorter period, so the deadline that governs your case depends on when you were hurt.
Wrongful death claims run on a different clock. La. Civ. Code art. 2315.2(B) provides that the right of action prescribes one year from the death, or two years from the day the injury or damage is sustained, whichever is longer. Medical malpractice wrongful death claims prescribe one year from the death under art. 2315.2(F).
Deadlines can also shift depending on who is responsible. Call us early and let us confirm the date that applies to you.
Insurance Coverage After a T-Bone Crash
Louisiana requires very little coverage, which becomes a problem when a T-bone causes real injuries. Louisiana requires minimum liability insurance coverage for motor vehicles, while certain commercial motor carriers must maintain higher limits. Under La. R.S. 32:900, standard liability policies generally must provide at least $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $30,000 for two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage. Certain motor carriers operating vehicles over 50,000 pounds are subject to a $300,000 combined minimum single coverage limit under the statute.
One more rule catches people off guard. La. R.S. 32:866(A)(1), amended by Acts 2025, No. 16, bars recovery for the first $100,000 of bodily injury and the first $100,000 of property damage when the injured owner or operator did not carry the required liability security. The statute lists exceptions, including when the other driver is cited and convicted under La. R.S. 14:98, intentionally caused the crash, or fled the scene. Subsection (E) also protects passengers who do not own the uninsured vehicle.
If your policy lapsed, tell an attorney for side-impact collision claims in New Orleans right away. It changes the strategy, not necessarily the outcome.
How Our New Orleans T-Bone Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
We start with a free consultation. We listen to what happened, explain where your case stands, and tell you what to expect.
If you hire us, we may begin:
- Requesting the crash report and dispatch records
- Canvassing the intersection for business and traffic camera footage
- Photographing vehicle damage and impact angles
- Interviewing witnesses while memories are fresh
- Collecting medical records and billing
- Identifying every policy that could apply
- Handling calls from adjusters
- Preparing the case for trial when the offer is not fair
With 679+ years of combined legal experience and over 180 employees, including 130+ staff and 47 attorneys, we have the people to run all of this at once. You focus on treatment.
Contact a New Orleans T-Bone Accident Attorney Near Metairie Today
Injured in an Accident? Find Legal Help Near You
A side-impact crash can change your health, your income, and your family’s routine in a few seconds. You should not have to sort out fault, deadlines, and policy limits while you are trying to heal.
At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, a T-bone accident lawyer in New Orleans is ready to review your case at no cost to you.
Call 888.501.7888 today for a free consultation.
With our No Fee Unless We Win promise, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. That is the G Guarantee.
When it is time to get moving, Get Gordon, Get It Done.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. Viewing this website or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover After a T-Bone Accident
Every T-bone case is different, and so is the number attached to it. Our New Orleans personal injury lawyers build claims around what the crash actually cost you.
We pursue damages for:
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays
- Ongoing treatment, therapy, and future care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Vehicle damage and out-of-pocket costs
Insurers often move quickly with a first offer while treatment is still going. An early number rarely reflects what a serious injury costs over time. Our firm has secured 230+ Million dollar verdicts and settlements (past results do not guarantee future outcomes).
Mistakes to Avoid After a Side-Impact Crash
The hours after a side-impact crash shape the claim more than most people realize.
Try to avoid these:
- Telling anyone at the scene that you are fine
- Skipping the emergency room or urgent care
- Giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer
- Posting photos or updates about the crash
- Signing a release or medical authorization without review
- Letting your vehicle get repaired or scrapped before it is documented
- Waiting months to call a lawyer
If one of these already happened, call anyway. Most of these problems can be managed when we hear about them early.
Serving New Orleans, Metairie, and Kenner
Our New Orleans office sits at 3900 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 300, in Metairie, which puts us minutes from Kenner and the Veterans and Airline corridors. You can reach the team through our New Orleans office page.
Being close matters. We can look at the scene ourselves, request footage before it gets overwritten, and meet you somewhere convenient while you are still healing.
Don’t Wait — Talk to a New Orleans T-Bone Accident Lawyer Today
At Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys, we understand that emotional and physical recovery come hand and hand after an injury or accident. We also know that you may not have the energy or time to fight with an insurance company and the complexities of your personal injury claim.
How It Works
Filing a claim with Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys is easy!
Simply follow the steps below.
Get Your Free Consultation
Fill out our quick and easy form to find out if your case qualifies. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we are here to help whether you hire us or not!
Hear From An Attorney
Our team will evaluate your case and decide on the best course of action. One of our lawyers will get back to you promptly and begin the process of winning your case!
Get Gordon!
Get It Done!
Once your case has been evaluated and deemed a good fit for our firm, our team will go to work immediately on gathering evidence, building your case, and getting you the compensation that you deserve.
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T-Bone Accident Lawyer in New Orleans Blog Posts
Injured? Get a FREE Consult Now!
Let Our Team Fight For You!
If you or a loved one has been injured, don't wait— contact Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. Our team is ready to fight for you and secure the compensation you deserve.
With over 30 years of experience, a proven track record of success, and a commitment to client care, we are the best personal injury attorneys in Louisiana to handle your case.
Call us now or fill out our online form. No Fee Unless We Win!
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Office Locations
Denham Springs Office
163 Del Orleans Ave., Denham Springs, LA 70726
Gonzales Office
220 S. Burnside Ave. Gonzales, LA 70737
New Orleans Office
3900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. STE 300 Metairie, LA 70002
Zachary Office
4361 Main St. Zachary, LA 70791
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