A T-bone accident occurs when the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another, creating an unfortunate “T” shape. Also known as a side-impact collision, these are common at intersections, often caused by someone running a red light or rushing a left turn against oncoming traffic.
However, determining fault in these collisions isn’t always simple.
Insurance companies can shift blame or downplay your claim to save their bottom line, and if you’re unaware of how fault is assigned, you’ll be left at a disadvantage.
To give you a better picture, we’ll explain how fault is determined in various T-bone accidents, including the roles of different parties involved. We’ll also explore how a lawyer can help turn the tables in your favor.
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Who Is At-Fault in a T-bone Accident in Texas?
Most of the time, the driver who didn’t follow the rules for right of way is at fault for T-bone car accidents in Texas.
If you have a driving license, you’ll know what “right of way” is — but just for clarity's sake, it’s a set of legal rules that tell you who gets to go first in various driving situations. For example, if you’re driving straight through an intersection, you’ve priority over a driver making a left turn.
However, fault really comes down to the specifics.
Let’s walk through a few scenarios to better understand how fault is assigned in different T-bone accidents:
- Scenario 1: Driver A runs a red light while approaching the intersection and collides with Driver B, who is crossing from the other direction.
- Scenario 2: Driver A runs a red light through an intersection and collides with Driver B, who makes a rushed left.
Fault: In both situations, the driver who ran the red light is at fault because they broke traffic rules.
In scenario 2, drivers making a left turn usually need to wait for traffic to clear before proceeding. However, running a red light is the primary cause of the accident here.
So even if Driver A suffers more economic damages or a severe injury, they would still be responsible for covering their own losses and Driver B’s since their actions led to the driving accident.
2. Distracted Driving Accidents
- Scenario 1: Driver A is distracted by their phone while turning left at an intersection. They misjudged the traffic, crashing into Driver B, who had the right of way.
- Scenario 2: Driver A is distracted by their phone while approaching an intersection. They fail to notice a stop sign and drive straight through, colliding with Driver B, who is crossing the intersection from another direction.
Fault: In both cases, Driver A’s lack of attention makes them responsible for the accidents, and they would likely be held liable for any damages or sustained injuries, like broken bones or a spinal cord injury.
3. Improper Lane Changes or Turns
- Scenario 1: Driver A makes an illegal U-turn in the middle of an intersection and crashes into the side of Driver B’s car, who is proceeding straigh.
- Scenario 2: Driver B switches lanes without signaling and collides sideways with Driver A, who is making a lawful turn.
Fault: Driver A is at fault in scenario 1 because they made an illegal U-turn at the intersection, cutting off Driver B, who had the right of way.
Meanwhile, in scenario 2, Driver B is in the wrong for switching lanes without signaling, which disrupted Driver A’s lawful turn and caused the collision
Failing to maintain lane discipline is a serious offense. Even without causing a driving accident, it can increase your insurance premiums significantly. But if an accident happens and someone gets severely injured, you could face criminal charges.
4. Turning Without Checking for Oncoming Traffic
- Scenario 1: Driver A makes a left turn at an intersection but doesn’t see Driver B coming from the opposite direction, resulting in a T-bone collision.
- Scenario 2: Driver B speeds through the intersection as Driver A makes a protected left turn, and the two collide.
Fault: Driver A is at fault in scenario 1 because they didn’t yield to oncoming traffic before turning left. When turning left, it’s important to double-check that the road is clear
In scenario 2, the fault lies with Driver B for speeding through the intersection, making it unsafe for Driver A to complete their left turn.
While the car going straight through an intersection typically has the right of way, speeding nullifies that priority as it creates an unsafe situation. As a result, Driver B (in scenario 2) would likely be held responsible for the collision and may have to pay for the damages to Driver A, including vehicle repairs and any medical expenses.
5. Failing to Yield at a Stop Sign
- Scenario 1: Driver A approaches a stop sign but fails to stop, colliding with Driver B, who has the right of way.
- Scenario 2: Driver A stops at the stop sign before taking a left but fails to notice Driver B coming straight down the main road, resulting in a collision.
Fault: Driver A is at fault in scenario 1, as the driver approaching the sign is required to come to a complete stop.
In scenario 2, even though Driver A stopped at the stop sign, they could still share responsibility — or even be fully at fault — as they failed to check for oncoming traffic and ensure it was safe to proceed.
Note: Both scenarios are similar to those described under “Distracted Driving Accidents,” but in these instances, the driver wasn’t distracted but merely failed to follow stop sign rules.
With these scenarios in mind, it’s clear that fault isn’t always straightforward. Let’s explore if two drivers can be responsible for the same accident, and how it might affect your car accident claim.
Can Both Drivers Be At-Fault in a T-bone Accident?
Yes, sometimes both drivers share responsibility for a T-bone accident in Texas.
This usually happens when both parties violate traffic laws in some way. Driver A runs a red light at the intersection while Driver B rolls through without stopping at a stop sign to turn left, leading to a collision.
Texas follows modified comparative fault laws in such situations — meaning each driver is assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions. In the above example, Driver A could be assigned 70% of the fault, and Driver B might have the remaining 30%.
But here’s the kicker.
This also affects how compensation is determined:
- You can only recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault.
- The amount of compensation you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault.
In the above example, Driver A won’t be able to recover any damages, while Driver B’s compensation would be reduced by 30%.
Lawyers and insurance adjusters will thoroughly investigate the details of an accident to determine each party’s level of fault and advocate for their client. During a settlement claim, the opposing side may use their findings to shift more blame to you, reducing or even eliminating your compensation.
Without strong legal representation, you could end up paying more than your fair share or miss out on the damages you’re entitled to.
But there’s no reason for you to go without legal aid. A car accident attorney from No Bull Law can investigate the accident, gather the evidence, and fight for your compensation.
It’s also worthwhile to remember that while drivers are often the primary focus in determining fault, they aren’t always the only ones responsible.
Apart from drivers, other parties that can be at fault in a side-impact collision include:
- Employers: If the at-fault driver was driving a company vehicle or driving during their work hours, a T-bone accident victim can sue the employer under vicarious liability.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If a mechanical failure or malfunctioning car part caused the accident, like a brake failure, the manufacturer or the company that maintains the vehicle could be found responsible.
- Municipalities or Government Entities: If poor road design, improper signage, or poorly maintained roads played a role in the accident, a T-bone accident victim could hold the local government or municipality responsible.
Identifying all responsible parties in a T-bone auto accident isn’t just for establishing fault; it also ensures you’ve access to the full compensation you deserve. This way, your compensation claim isn’t limited to only one party, helping to cover medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses more effectively.
Beyond determining liability, identifying T-bone accident injuries and damages is essential as they often impact the scope of your car accident claim.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in a T-bone Car Accident?
T-bone car accidents are more notorious than a rear-end collision. They can cause serious injuries due to the direct impact on the side of the vehicle, leaving both drivers and passengers vulnerable. Some common injuries are:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Head injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Internal injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Soft tissue injury
- Cuts and lacerations
- Chest injuries, such as rib fractures
- Pelvic injury
- Shoulder and arm injury
What Damages Can You Claim After a T-bone Accident?
Other than medical costs, a T-bone accident victim can claim compensation for:
- Medical costs: Costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment.
- Economic damages: Compensation for lost income during recovery, including potential future earnings if your T-bone accident injuries affect your ability to work long-term.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and other belongings damaged in the acciden.
- Transportation costs: Costs for rental cars or other transportation alternatives while your vehicle is under repair.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort caused due to the accident.
- Emotional distress: Damages for anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological issues caused by the accident.
Knowing the damages you can claim is one thing, but proving fault ultimately shapes your case's outcome — and that’s often easier said than done.
Faults in a T-bone crash can be tricky to pin down, and plenty of factors can stand between you and a smooth settlement.
Common Challenges in Determining Fault in a T-bone Accident
Determining fault in T-bone collisions can be complicated by:
- Disagreements among witnesses: Witnesses to an accident may have different perspectives or recall events differently. These inconsistencies make it challenging to piece together an accurate picture of what happened and to determine who was at fault.
- Ambiguity of physical evidence: The physical evidence at the accident scene, such as skid marks and vehicle damage, can be inconclusive. For example, vehicle damage may not clearly reveal how the crash occurred, or skid marks may have been blurred by weather conditions or other traffic.
But these challenges shouldn’t stop an accident victim from getting fair compensation. That’s why it’s best to hire a personal injury lawyer to do the heavy lifting and build a strong case for your T-bone crash claim.
An experienced car accident lawyer protects your interests by thoroughly assessing liability and ensuring you don’t miss out on any potential compensation. Here’s how they do it:
- Question all eyewitnesses to gather accurate testimony
- Visit the accident scene
- Perform motor vehicle accident reconstruction
- Get a copy of the police report for reference
- Work with T-bone accident experts to strengthen your case
- Look for other possible causes of the motor vehicle accident, like vehicle malfunction or road design and maintenance
The support of a personal injury lawyer goes beyond these processes. If a fair settlement doesn’t come your way, you can take the case to court. A car accident lawyer with prior courtroom experience can represent you during the court appearance.
For this, you need a Texas auto accident lawyer who’s seasoned, relentless, and committed to your case — without any upfront costs.
At No Bull Law, we bring all that and more to the table.
Book our free consultation to get the best possible guidance.
Secure Your T-bone Accident Settlement Hasslefree with No Bull
Determining liability in T-bone accident cases is rarely straightforward. Complex traffic laws, conflicting accounts, and insurance company tactics can make claiming settlements an uphill battle for you.
That’s where No Bull Law steps in.
Our experienced car accident attorney will cut through the noise, gather the evidence, and fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
So contact No Bull Law today, and let us get you the compensation you deserve — no fluff, just results.
