One of the most common forms of car accidents is a T-bone accident, where the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle. In 2021, 2,390 T-bone accidents occurred in the City of Los Angeles alone, accounting for 18.66 percent of all traffic accidents in the city that year.
In a T-bone accident, determining fault isn’t always simple. T-bone accidents can occur from negligence of either drivers involved, vehicle manufacturers, drivers who weren’t involved in the accident, or even government agencies.
For everything you need to know about T-bone car accidents, how to determine fault, what types of compensation you could receive and more, read on.
Who Is Liable In A T-Boned Car Accident?
Possible liable parties in T-bone car accidents include:
The Drivers Involved
Either driver involved might be at fault for the accident.
For example, when a driver crosses an intersection on a green light while another driver runs a red light and T-bones them, the latter driver would be at fault.
If the exact same situation happened but the first driver turned left on a red light and the second driver had a green light, fault would reverse. Depending on the circumstances, it can be difficult to prove who had the right of way and who should be liable. Hiring a lawyer can be crucial to prove your innocence, even if you weren’t at fault.
A Third Driver
In most T-bone accidents, one of the two drivers involved is at fault. However, sometimes, the at-fault driver’s car isn’t part of the collision itself.
As an example, a driver might make an illegal left turn in front of an oncoming car, causing it to swerve and strike another vehicle. In this case, the driver who made the illegal left turn is the at-fault driver.
In this scenario, the at-fault driver is legally obligated to stay at the scene of the crime. If they flee, collect evidence of the crash and speak with witnesses. This information could help your car accident lawyer identify the responsible party.
Road Engineers And Designers
Sometimes dangerous roadway conditions are to blame for your T-bone accident.
For example, a road might be poorly designed. A stop sign might be placed so badly that nobody can see it. In this case, a local government could be found liable for the accident.
Malfunctioning traffic signals can also cause T-bone collisions. Here, too, a government agency would likely be at fault.
Automotive Manufacturers
Sometimes, defective vehicles are to blame.
For example, defective brakes could cause a driver to run a red light and T-bone another car.
In this case, the automotive manufacturers could be liable for the crash and resulting injuries.
Common Causes Of T-Bone Accidents
The most common cause of T-bone accidents is a driver failing to yield to another driver with the right of way. These crashes often occur at intersections controlled by stop signs or stop lights.Â
As an example, a driver might make a dangerous left turn, assuming another driver will stop at a yellow light. When the second driver goes through the yellow light, the former could strike their car.Â
The most common causes of T-bone accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Fatigued driving
- Dangerous roadway conditions
- Ignored traffic signals
- Drinking or eating while driving
- Texting while driving
- Running red lights
- Paying attention to a smartphone app or a GPS instead of one’s driving
- Icy roads
To prevent accidents, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and adhere to the rules of the road.
What Compensation Could You Get?
If you have been injured in an accident, an experienced car accident attorney at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for:
Medical Bills
If you’ve been T-boned, you may already be dealing with enormous medical bills and might need additional treatment in the future. Luckily, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for any past or future medical bills related to your crash
Lost Wages
Sometimes T-bone accidents cause their victims to miss time from work. We can help you recover compensation for any wages you were unable to earn because of your injuries.
Loss Of Earning Potential
Your T-bone accident may have injured you so badly that you’re unable to ever work again, or need to switch careers. You may be eligible to receive compensation for this loss of earning potential.
Property Damage
If the accident damaged your vehicle or personal property, you could qualify for financial compensation.Â
Pain And Suffering
These wrecks can cause severe injuries, particularly if you were sitting on the side of the car that got T-boned. Oftentimes, you can get compensated for the mental anguish and physical pain caused by your injuries.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one in a T-bone accident, no amount of financial compensation can bring your loved one back. However, we can help you recover compensation to help give you the space to grieve.Â
We can help you recover compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, pain, suffering, burial costs and funeral bills. We can also help you recover money to compensate you for the loss of your loved one’s income, love, companionship, household services and more.
Your Legal Options – Who Can You Recover Compensation From?
The person or entity responsible for your financial compensation will vary based on your circumstances. In most cases, you can expect compensation from one of the following:
The At-Fault Driver
You may be able to recover financial compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. You’ll just need to prove their negligence caused your injuries.
Your Health Insurance
Your health insurance may cover your medical bills, but likely not all of them. For that reason, it’s best if you could receive compensation from another source as well.
An Automobile Manufacturer
If a defective vehicle caused your T-bone collision, you could be eligible to receive financial compensation from the manufacturer.Â
A Government Agency
If a dangerous roadway condition like a badly placed stop sign or a defective traffic light caused your accident, you could be eligible for financial compensation from a government agency.
Cases which involve government agencies can be complex. If that’s the case, it will be crucial to find an experienced lawyer to help you navigate the case.
The Employer Of The At-Fault Driver
If the at-fault driver was driving on the clock for their employer when your accident occurred, you might be eligible for compensation from their employer.
Common T-Bone Injuries
Common injuries seen in T-bone accidents include:
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Facial injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Whiplash
- Bruised or broken ribs
- Heart attack
- Bruising
- Strains
- Sprains
- Limb loss
- Joint dislocation
- Broken bones
- PTSD
- Organ damage
- Penetrating injuries
Even if you think you’re uninjured right after an accident, consult a doctor immediately. Some injuries such as whiplash aren’t always immediately noticeable.
Statute Of Limitations For A T-Bone Wreck
It’s a good idea to seek compensation after your accident promptly. There is a time limit to seek compensation for a T-bone wreck in California. This time limit is usually two years from the date of the accident and is known as a statute of limitations.
However, the time limit may vary based on your circumstances. For example, if your crash involves a government agency, you only have six months to seek compensation for your accident.Â
Contact An Attorney Today
If you’ve experienced a T-bone crash, it’s important to hire an experienced attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation or give us a call at (800) 718-4658.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
