Who is At Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident?

T-bone car accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, are some of the most fatal accidents on Texas roads. They can cause drivers and passengers to suffer severe injuries, and in extreme cases, they can result in death.

A t-bone accident occurs when one car strikes the side of another vehicle, forming the shape of the letter “T.” These accidents can be extremely dangerous and result in serious injuries and damages.

T-bone accidents are unique. As opposed to other types of collisions, victims of T-bone accidents are only separated from the colliding vehicle by a thin door and window. A window can shatter on impact, showering the victim in shards of glass, and the thin sheet of metal of a car door can crumple like paper.

Although it might seem obvious that the colliding driver is at fault in this type of accident, the truth is that this is not always the case. Sometimes, the driver of the vehicle that is hit, is found to be the negligent party. In other cases, a third party is deemed to-be responsible for a T-bone collision.

If you were injured in a T-bone collision or any other type of car accident, seek medical attention for your injury. Then, highly consider working with an experienced Board-Certified personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for your damages.

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

A T-bone collision looks like this: one car broadsides the other, forming a “T” with the vehicles. Generally, this type of collision occurs when one driver does not give the other driver the right of way. For example, when a car drives through a red light into an intersection where others are rightfully passing perpendicular to their position, that driver can T-bone another vehicle and be found to be negligent.

In a T-bone accident, the driver who fails to yield the right of way to the opposing driver will be held at fault. It’s also possible for both drivers to receive fault in relation to the accident.

If a driver has the right of way and they collide with another vehicle that should have been stopped at a red light at that intersection, the other driver may be at fault for the collision.

More than one driver can be at fault for a T-bone accident. Imagine that two drivers have stop signs, not traffic lights, determining the right of way at an intersection. Driver A fails to stop at the stop sign and T-bones a distracted Driver B, who would have seen Driver A and potentially avoided the collision if they had not been distracted.

In this scenario, some of the blame might be assigned to Driver B because although they had the right of way, they too were acting negligently and could have prevented the accident by taking proper care. In Texas, a negligent party can recover compensation for their damages in an accident as long as they are deemed to hold 50% or less of the responsibility for the accident.

Determining Which Driver Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident

Determining fault in your car accident requires use of evidence like photographs, eyewitness accounts, and the official police report. In the moments following your collision, take as many photos of the affected areas of both vehicles as possible. Show the collision from multiple angles and the damage to both vehicles. This is a crucial step in establishing fault.

The official police report will include details about the collision that can be used to determine fault.. If your car accident occurs in Houston, you can file a Houston car accident report with HPD.

When law enforcement arrives on the scene of a side impact collision, the officer may not decide fault or may even make a fault determination that is incorrect. Due to the lack of a definitive determination of fault and the fact that eyewitnesses may have different stories of what happened, it is likely that the other driver will accuse you of causing the accident. For such reasons, your car accident case may benefit from being handled by an experienced car accident lawyer who can build you the strongest case and put you in the best position for a positive outcome.

Proving That Another Driver’s Negligence Caused Your Injury

A successful car accident claim does not just demonstrate that a driver was negligent. It exhibits that because of the driver’s negligence, an accident occurred. And because of that accident, a victim suffered an injury that caused them to suffer substantial financial damages.

In addition to the evidence discussed above, you will need to use evidence like a medical bill. Testimony from your doctor, helping to demonstrate that you suffered a specific injury in the collision and require specific medical treatment, can also help. Itemize your lost wages as well. You can submit a pay stub showing what you normally earn and the time at work you had to miss during recovery.

T-Bone Accidents: Common Causes

Right-of-way violations are one of the most common factors in T-bone accidents. Drivers who run red lights, fail to yield to oncoming traffic, or roll through stop signs are considered negligent.

In T-bone accident cases, the most common reasons given for the failure to yield are:

• Blocked view
• Misjudgment of gap size when turning
• Miscalculation of approaching traffic speed
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Speeding
• Drunk driving

The impact of a T-bone crash can cause the car’s side to cave in. If parts of the vehicle and the striking vehicle penetrate the interior of the car, they can injure the driver or passengers, potentially crushing them. Even though many newer cars have side curtain airbags, these collisions often result in severe head and brain injuries due to the force of the impact.

Damages for Injuries Sustained in T-Bone Car Accidents

Right-of-way violations are one of the most common factors in T-bone accidents. Drivers who run red lights, fail to yield to oncoming traffic may be able to get monetary compensation for all the damages suffered in a car accident. This includes any physical injuries you suffered to financial damages you sustained.

Car accidents usually result in economic or financial damages, which cover the costs you incurred due to the accident. These typically consist of vehicle damage, medical debts, and lost wages as a result of your absence from work. Financial transactions, hospital bills, pay stubs, receipts, and other documentation detailing your out-of-pocket financial expenses will help you prove your damages in court.

If your injury results in a disability or limited your ability to function at work, you can seek compensation for these lost wages. Your attorney, who can consult with a financial expert, can help to value your claim.

Intangible damages, also known as non-economic damages, are those that cannot be proven with medical bills or other tangible documentation. An injury can severely hinder the victim’s ability to function, cause long-term pain and suffering, and diminish the enjoyment of life and activities. These factors all contribute to the amount of pain and suffering damages a victim may be able to claim. These damages are usually significantly more valuable for victims with permanent or disabling injuries that require lifelong treatment and care.

An accident that results in the death of your loved one could result in significant damages. When considering future loss of income and burial or funeral expenses, the death of a primary provider for the family might threaten your loved ones’ financial security and well-being. Additional compensation for emotional pain, loss of companionship, counseling, childcare, and household services may also be available.

Top-Rated Accident Attorneys to Protect Your Rights after a T-Bone Crash

The best accident lawyer will do all that they can to make sure your rights aren’t taken advantage of. The experts at Sutliff & Stout have been representing some of the most challenging personal injury and car accident cases in Texas and its surrounding areas for decades. If you have been injured due to negligence of another, you can rely on us to hear your story and fight for fair compensation.

You have nothing to lose by contacting us. If you believe you may have a viable case, contact us for a free consultation. There are no fees guaranteed unless we win your case.

Don’t wait another minute to seek support—speak to a top-rated T-bone accident attorney at Sutliff & Stout today by calling (713) 405-1263 or completing our online contact form.