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Christopher Johns • Aug 10, 2020

Who Is at Fault for My T-Bone Accident?

Side impact collisions — or “t-bone” accidents — are some of the most dangerous types of accidents and can easily lead to a catastrophic injury. However, understanding who exactly is at fault for this type of accident can be difficult to determine.

That’s why securing the legal guidance and support of a qualified Houston car accident attorney, like those at Lapeze & Johns, PLLC , can be essential to your well-being and the success of your personal injury claim.

If you have been involved in a t-bone accident but are unsure if you have a valid claim, then consider the following information.

Who Is at Fault in My T-Bone Accident

Determining who is at fault in a t-bone accident can be a challenge, as there are many factors that may affect liability. The following examples illustrate different types of t-bone accidents and who may be held liable:

If a driver speeds through a red light at an intersection when another driver has the right of way to be driving through the intersection, then the driver who caused the accident by neglecting to stop can be found negligent.
If a driver has the right of way at an intersection and hits another vehicle who failed to stop at their red light, the driver who failed to adhere to the traffic signal can be found responsible for the accident, even though they are the one who was hit.
Both drivers in a t-bone accident may be held liable. If, for instance, at a four-way stop, one driver fails to stop and crashes into a driver who was texting – and thus acting negligently at the time – then both may be held partially responsible for the accident. In Texas, a negligent party can still recover damages for the accident if they are deemed to be less than 50 percent responsible for the incident.

To determine who is at fault in a t-bone accident, it is best to work closely with a qualified Houston car accident lawyer who can help you secure evidence including photographs, video, eyewitness accounts and an official police report.

T-Bone Accident Statistics

Research shows that t-bone accidents account for 13 percent of all traffic accidents in the United States and 18 percent of all fatal car accidents. As per the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, about 8,000 individuals lose their lives every year as the result of a t-bone accident.

Additionally, over the past two decades, the number of t-bone accidents have increased by 20 percent.

What makes these types of accidents even more dangerous than other types is that they often cause a vehicle to veer off course and strike another vehicle, which can then lead to a chain reaction of collisions. Whether this means being pushed into another vehicle, or being pushed into a guardrail or electric pole, a t-bone accident can have severe consequences.

Causes of T-Bone Accidents

There are many causes of t-bone accidents but they are often the result of the at-fault driver failing to yield or give the right-of-way to other vehicles on the road. Some of the most frequently noted causes of side-collisions include:

The at-fault driver failing to obey traffic signals or stop signs.
Broken or failing stoplights and traffic signals not directing drivers properly.
Drivers speeding through a yield light or stoplight at an intersection.
Impaired drivers getting behind the wheel and causing an accident.
The at-fault driver texting while driving or being distracted.

Depending on the speed at which the accident took place, the direction in which the victim was facing, whether the plaintiff was wearing a seatbelt and if the car’s airbag(s) deployed, a victim of a t-bone accident may suffer from:

A head injury
Brain injuries (including a traumatic brain injury)
A neck injury
A back injury
Broken bones
Facial lacerations or trauma
Tissue injuries
Internal injuries
Concussions
Severe bruising

Lapeze & Johns, PLLC: Here When You Need Us Most

If you have been injured in a t-bone accident, do NOT hesitate to contact the Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns. With a 98% success rate and millions secured for our clients, we know exactly what it takes to get you the results you deserve.