Bensalem PA T-Bone Accident Attorney

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A T-bone accident, also called a side-impact or broadside collision, happens when the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another, forming a “T” shape at the point of impact. These crashes are among the most physically devastating on the road. If you or someone you love was hit in a T-bone collision in Bensalem, PA, you have legal rights under Pennsylvania law, and the team at MyPhillyLawyer is ready to help you pursue every dollar you deserve. Call us at (215) 227-2727 请与 Philadelphia 人身伤害律师 about your case today.

Why T-Bone Accidents in Bensalem Are So Dangerous
Common Injuries Caused by T-Bone Collisions in Bensalem
Who Is at Fault in a Pennsylvania T-Bone Accident?
Pennsylvania Tort Options and How They Affect Your T-Bone Claim
The Filing Deadline for Bensalem T-Bone Accident Claims
FAQs About Bensalem PA T-Bone Accident Claims

Why T-Bone Accidents in Bensalem Are So Dangerous

Bensalem Township sits at the crossroads of some of the most heavily traveled roads in Bucks County, including Street Road (Route 132), Route 1 (the Lincoln Highway), Bristol Pike, and Knights Road. These corridors carry enormous daily traffic volumes, and their intersections are where T-bone accidents happen most often.

The intersection of Street Road at Knights Road and Route 1 at Old Lincoln Highway are two of the most crash-prone locations in Bensalem, with 64 crashes recorded at Street Road and Knights Road and 79 at Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway over a ten-year period, according to a 6abc data analysis. That history is part of why Bensalem Township officials installed red light cameras at both of those locations.

The intersection of Street Road and Knights Road has been identified as the deadliest in Pennsylvania, with multiple sources, including TIME Magazine, pointing to it as one of the most dangerous intersections in the entire country, driven by high traffic volume, confusing design, and risky driver behavior.

The physics of a side-impact crash make the danger especially severe. T-bone crashes are disproportionately deadly because the door and B-pillar provide only 6 to 12 inches of crumple zone between the impacting vehicle and the occupant, compared to 3 to 4 feet in a frontal crash. That thin margin of protection is why even moderate-speed T-bone collisions can cause life-altering injuries. Drivers and passengers near Neshaminy Mall, Parx Casino, or along the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange in Bensalem face this risk every day.

Common Injuries Caused by T-Bone Collisions in Bensalem

T-bone accidents produce a distinct and serious pattern of injuries. The person seated on the side that gets struck absorbs the most force, with almost no structural protection between them and the other vehicle.

Side-impact crashes produce injuries including traumatic brain injury from the head striking the side window or B-pillar, pelvic fractures from lateral door intrusion, rib fractures that can cause a collapsed lung, blunt thoracic trauma including aortic and cardiac injury, spleen and liver lacerations, hip dislocation and femur fractures, and lateral cervical and thoracic spine injuries.

Traumatic brain injury occurs approximately three times more often in side impacts than in head-on collisions. That statistic alone underscores why these crashes demand serious legal attention.

Survivors of T-bone crashes in Bensalem often face months of surgery, rehabilitation, and lost income. Some injuries, like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury, can require lifelong care. The financial burden falls on victims and their families quickly, which is exactly why Pennsylvania law gives you the right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. If you suffered a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury in a Bensalem side-impact crash, the legal path forward starts with a single call to MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727.

Who Is at Fault in a Pennsylvania T-Bone Accident?

Fault in a T-bone crash usually comes down to who had the legal right of way at the moment of impact. Common causes include running a red light, failing to yield on a left turn, ignoring a stop sign, distracted driving, and drunk driving. Pennsylvania law holds negligent drivers financially responsible for the harm they cause.

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102. This statute allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the crash, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. However, your total compensation is reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. So if you were found 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000.

This rule matters because insurance companies routinely try to assign blame to the injured party to reduce or eliminate a payout. An experienced legal team knows how to push back against those tactics, gather the right evidence, and protect your percentage of fault from being inflated unfairly.

Evidence in T-bone cases typically includes traffic camera footage, witness statements, police reports, physical damage patterns on both vehicles, and electronic data from the vehicles themselves. Bensalem Township’s red light camera program at Street Road and Knights Road, and at Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway, means footage may exist from the very intersection where your crash occurred. That evidence can be critical, and it needs to be preserved quickly before it is overwritten or lost.

Pennsylvania Tort Options and How They Affect Your T-Bone Claim

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that gives drivers a choice between two insurance coverage systems, and that choice directly affects what you can claim after a T-bone accident.

Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705, Pennsylvania drivers elect either “full tort” or “limited tort” coverage when they purchase auto insurance. Under the full tort option, you keep the unrestricted right to seek compensation for all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering after a crash. Under the limited tort option, your right to sue for pain and suffering is restricted unless your injuries meet the legal definition of “serious injury,” which includes permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of a body function, or death.

Many people do not realize which option they selected, or they chose limited tort years ago to save a few dollars on premiums without understanding the trade-off. Even under limited tort, there are exceptions. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, operating a commercial vehicle, or convicted of DUI in connection with the crash, the serious injury threshold does not apply. A Bensalem T-bone accident attorney can review your policy, identify which exceptions may apply, and build the strongest possible claim under your specific coverage.

Do not assume limited tort coverage ends your case. The facts of your crash may open doors that are not immediately obvious, and that is exactly the kind of analysis MyPhillyLawyer provides.

The Filing Deadline for Bensalem T-Bone Accident Claims

Pennsylvania law sets a firm deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim in civil court. Miss that deadline and you lose the right to pursue compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries are or how clear the other driver’s fault may be.

Two years sounds like a long time, but injury cases require significant preparation. Medical records must be gathered, expert witnesses may need to be retained, and the at-fault driver’s insurance company will use every available delay tactic. Starting early gives your legal team the time to build a strong case rather than rushing to meet a deadline.

If someone died in a T-bone crash in Bensalem, the family may also have a wrongful death claim under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8301, which allows eligible survivors to recover damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of financial support. That claim carries the same two-year filing window, measured from the date of death.

Bucks County cases are handled through the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Filing in the correct court, within the correct timeframe, and with properly supported pleadings is not something to leave to chance. Contact MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 或免费电话 866-352-4572 as soon as possible after your crash so we can protect your rights from day one.

FAQs About Bensalem PA T-Bone Accident Claims

What should I do immediately after a T-bone accident in Bensalem?

Call 911 right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Get a police report filed at the scene, take photos of both vehicles, the intersection, and any visible injuries, and collect contact information from witnesses. Seek medical attention the same day, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury, do not show obvious symptoms right away. Then contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with any insurance company.

Does it matter if the T-bone crash happened at a red light versus a stop sign?

Yes, it can matter for proving fault. Running a red light or a stop sign is a traffic violation under Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code, and that violation can serve as evidence of negligence in your civil claim. In Bensalem, red light camera footage from monitored intersections like Street Road and Knights Road may document exactly who had the right of way. Your attorney can subpoena that footage as part of building your case.

如果我购买的是有限侵权险，还能获得赔偿吗？

Possibly, yes. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705, limited tort restricts your right to sue for pain and suffering unless your injury qualifies as a “serious injury” or one of several legal exceptions applies. Those exceptions include crashes involving uninsured drivers, DUI-related crashes, and crashes involving out-of-state drivers. An attorney can review your policy and the facts of your crash to determine whether you can pursue full compensation.

如果撞我的司机没有保险怎么办？

Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, but some still drive without it. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you carry it. Your attorney can also investigate whether any other parties share liability, such as a vehicle owner who allowed an unlicensed driver to use their car, or a municipality responsible for a dangerous intersection design.

How long does a T-bone accident case in Bensalem take to resolve?

Every case is different. Some claims settle with the insurance company within several months after your medical treatment is complete. Others require filing a lawsuit in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas and may take a year or more to resolve through litigation. The severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault, and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate all affect the timeline. What matters most is that you do not settle before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and long-term costs.