Who Is At Fault In A T-Bone Car Accident?

Motor Vehicles Accidents - March 8, 2021

Any car accident has the potential to cause significant injuries for those involved. However, T-bone accidents can be hazardous for those involved. A T-bone accident is a crash that occurs when the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle, forming the titular “T.”

These accidents are also sometimes referred to as broadside accidents. Even though newer vehicles have more safety features to protect occupants inside cars, a T-bone accident still has a high risk of causing severe injuries. Here, we want to discuss who could be at fault for these crashes.

Why are T-Bone Crashes so Dangerous?

Generally, a T-bone accident is more dangerous for the occupants inside the vehicle that is struck on the side. T-bone crashes are hazardous because of how close one vehicle comes to the occupants inside the other car when these collisions occur.

Even with modern side-impact airbags in most vehicles, this is not always enough to prevent a severe injury. A T-bone collision often leads to occupants sustaining:

Unfortunately, the nature of these collisions often causes a person to become trapped inside the vehicle until emergency crews can extricate them. This can prolong the time it takes for an injury victim to receive medical care, thereby worsening the situation.

What Are The Causes of T-bone Accidents

To determine who is at fault in a T-bone car accident, we must look at the most common ways these incidents occur. Some of the most common causes of T-bone collisions include:

  • A driver running a red light or stop sign. Ignoring traffic signals is an action that puts all motorists at risk, particularly those who have the right of way.
  • A driver speeding through an intersection. Speeding through an intersection, sometimes to beat a yellow light, can lead to a person striking a vehicle in the perpendicular traffic lane.
  • Left-turn crashes. Left-turn incidents often lead to severe T-bone collisions, especially if one driver misjudges the distance or gap between oncoming vehicles.
  • Drivers are distracted by their phones. Drivers distracted by phones are less likely to see oncoming traffic or traffic signals.
  • Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs are much more likely to cause dangerous and fatal collisions.
  • Malfunctioning traffic signals. If traffic signals malfunction or traffic signs are missing, this can lead to severe T-bone collisions.
  • Vehicle defects. Vehicle defects, such as problems with brakes or an accelerator, could lead to dangerous conditions on the roadway.

How is Fault Determined After a T-Bone Accident?

When working with a car accident lawyer in Chicago to determine who is at fault in a T-Bone car accident, various types of evidence will be used to paint a picture of what happened at the scene. Some of the most common types of evidence used in these situations include police reports, statements from eyewitnesses, statements from the drivers involved, video or photo surveillance, vehicle “black box” data, and more. Generally, any aggressive driver who fails to yield the right of way, disregards traffic signals, or operates their vehicle dangerously and causes a T-bone collision will be at fault.