Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?

T-bone accidents can have devastating consequences, lead to severe injuries, and cause significant property damage — but who is at fault in a T-bone accident?

Liability in T-bone accidents is crucial, as it generally decides who is able to seek compensation for their injuries and who will be required to massively payout. In this blog, the Houston personal injury attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta will discuss the factors that determine liability in T-bone accidents, and tell you what to do if you’re hit.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious T-bone accident, you need the best injury attorney Houston has to offer if you plan on getting what you deserve. Call the dedicated and aggressive attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta today at (713) 224-7644 for a free consultation.

What does it mean to be T-boned in a car accident?

A T-bone collision, also known as a side-impact collision, occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle at a perpendicular or near-perpendicular angle. The resulting impact forms a “T” shape, hence the name. T-bone accidents typically occur at intersections where vehicles are traveling perpendicular to each other.

What happens when you T-bone someone?

The severity of T-bone accidents, and therefore the severity of injuries suffered in T-bone accidents, can vary widely depending on several factors, including the:

• Speed at which the vehicles were traveling
• Size and weight of the vehicles themselves
• Presence or absence of safety features like side airbags
• Position of the occupants at the time of impact

What happens to your body when you get T-boned? Common injuries from car accidents in which a car is T-boned include:

• Whiplash
• Fractures
• Head trauma
• Spinal injuries
• Internal organ damage

Determining liability in a T-bone accident

Both the motorist who hits another vehicle and the vehicle that is struck can be at fault for the accident because both can violate traffic laws.

It would be incorrect to assume that the vehicle that crashed into the side of the other involved vehicle is always at fault. You can still be at fault for being T-boned if you break traffic laws in the process. Some key elements in determining liability in T-bone accidents include:

1. Traffic Laws. Violating traffic laws, such as running a red light or failing to yield, can significantly impact liability in a T-bone accident. If it can be proven that one driver’s actions broke traffic laws, it is likely that they will be held liable for the damages caused.
2. Right-of-Way. Failure to yield the right-of-way in a T-bone accident is a common cause of these collisions. If it can be proven that a driver failed to yield when required, it is likely that they will be deemed liable for the accident.
3. Negligence. Negligence also plays a crucial role in determining liability. If a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while driving, and it results in an accident, they may be held responsible. Negligent actions like distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence can significantly impact liability in a T-bone accident.
4. Vehicle Defects. In some cases, liability may extend beyond driver negligence. If a mechanical failure, such as faulty brakes or steering, contributed to the T-bone accident, the vehicle manufacturer or maintenance provider may be held liable for the damages.

Proving liability is one of the most important things your auto accident attorney in Houston will do for you. Even in scenarios in which the individual who is at fault in a T-bone accident seems incredibly clear-cut, it is required that your attorney present an airtight and compelling case in order to get you what you deserve.

Don’t think that you can hire just any attorney that comes along. To have the best chance of success in your personal injury claim, you should read plenty of Houston personal injury lawyer reviews, and hire someone who has had success in cases just like yours.

Who is usually at fault in a T-bone accident?

Fault is typically determined by who had the right to move through the intersection. Because both cars do not have the right to move through the space at the same time, one of the parties involved in the accident had the right-of-way, and the other party violated it.

Usually, the car that did not have the right of way will be found liable for the accident, but the car with the right of way can still be found partially culpable. How?

A judge or jury in Texas will assign every party in an accident claim a percentage of culpability for the accident. Because Texas is a modified comparative fault state, a party can seek damages for an accident as long as the accident is not considered by the court to be more than 50% of their fault. It does, however, mean that for partially culpable parties the average payout for a T-bone accident will be less.

What to do if you’re in a T-bone accident

What do you do after you’ve been T-boned? The aftermath of a car accident involves several crucial steps.

1. First and foremost, make sure that you and the other party are not hurt.
2. If someone has been injured you should call emergency services to provide immediate medical attention to anyone who needs it.
3. Call the police if you suspect that the other driver was drunk or otherwise impaired.
4. Begin gathering vital evidence at the scene. This can include taking photographs of the vehicles involved, documenting skid marks or debris, as well as collecting contact information and testimony from witnesses.

The last step to take after you’ve been in a T-bone accident is to call a trusted personal injury attorney to protect your rights and your future.

Involved in a T-bone accident? Call Grimes & Fertitta for help.

If you’re wondering who is at fault in a T-bone accident, remember that although someone likely violated the right-of-way, that doesn’t make it an open-and-shut case. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to call an attorney to protect your interests and make sure you get what you need to recover. You do not have to sort through the aftermath of a devastating accident alone, and the personal injury attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta are here to help you seek justice.

Whether you were hit when a truck jackknifed and you need an 18-wheeler accident lawyer or you’re interested in suing the insurance company for denying your valid claim, the experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta can help.

Call Grimes & Fertitta today at (713) 224-7644 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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• Types of Car Accident Claims in Texas
• What Evidence Do I Need For a Car Accident Claim?
• Your Guide to Progressive Car Accident Claims