T-bone crashes often occur in intersections, making it more challenging to determine which driver had the right-of-way at the time. Eyewitnesses, video evidence, and other proof may be necessary to determine who is at fault in a T-bone car accident and liable for your damages.
If you suffered injuries in this type of crash, you may want to consider working with our personal injury law firm to build your compensation case. We have the resources, experience, and knowledge to investigate what happened, gather evidence, and demand an appropriate payout from the other driver’s insurer.
What Causes T-Bone Car Accidents?
Most T-bone collisions, also called side-impact crashes, occur in intersections. When drivers must cross one another’s path, there is a risk for this type of crash. Examples of how T-bone accidents happen include when a driver:
- Fails to stop at a stop sign
- Goes out of turn at an intersection
- Does not yield to other traffic when turning
- Runs a red light
- Pulls out of a parking lot, alley, or driveway into traffic
Each of these situations has specific traffic laws and rules that motorists must follow to prevent collisions. Most of these are ingrained in drivers, but carelessness or recklessness leads to mistakes behind the wheel. For instance, distraction, intoxication, or fatigue can cause a driver to make a bad decision.
Proving What Happened and Who Is Responsible
Who is legally liable for the financial, physical, and emotional harm suffered in a traffic accident comes down to negligence. You will need to show the other driver acted negligently to prove they are responsible for your damages.
Showing that negligence occurred requires proof of four things:
- They had an obligation to take (or not take) a specific action.
- They failed to do so.
- This directly caused the crash.
- You suffered damages in the crash, including financial losses and injuries.
For example, if a driver ran a red light and hit you, we would look for evidence to show this occurred, such as traffic camera footage. Since running a red light is against the law, proof of this action could support your claim for financial recovery. We would then need to calculate the value of all your recoverable damages to seek compensation for them.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Shared Fault in a Side-Impact Collision
In some cases, both drivers share fault for a side-impact crash. If the court determines this is true in your case, it will impact your financial recovery, depending on the state where the accident happened.
Negligence laws vary, but most states allow accident victims to seek and recover compensation even with partial responsibility for the collision. However, the amount recoverable goes down in proportion to their percentage of shared fault. So, if you were speeding when another driver failed to yield while turning left, you may be 10 percent at fault. As such, you could recover up to 90 percent of your damages.
Shared Fault and State Laws
An example of a state with shared fault laws is Arkansas, where anyone less than 50 percent at fault can seek damages under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-64-122. Louisiana and Mississippi also allow you to seek damages even if you are determined to hold partial fault, per La. Civ. Code Art. 2323 and Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15, respectively.
However, this is not the case in Alabama. Instead, Alabama recognizes a “pure contributory negligence” law, affirmed in Golden v. McCurry (1980). As such, if you contributed to the accident at all, Alabama bars you from financial recovery.
Seeking Compensation for Your Accident Damages After a T-Bone Crash
If you suffered injuries in a side-impact collision and can prove the other driver caused the crash, you can likely seek compensation. This is possible through filing an insurance claim or suing the at-fault motorist.
You want to work with an attorney who is familiar with car accident laws in your state. Not only will our firm handle your investigation and prove negligence, but we will also navigate the claims process on your behalf, negotiate for a fair agreement, and provide other representation that supports your best interests.
Most traffic accident cases settle outside of court. This makes it vital to understand the value of your damages and carefully document your losses to show how much the insurance company should compensate you. When you have a personal injury lawyer from our team on your side, you can focus on healing your injuries while we worry about securing your compensation and getting justice for you and your family.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Talk with a Team Member from Morris Bart, LLC, About Your T-Bone Crash for Free
At the Morris Bart law firm, our team offers consultations for car accident victims in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We serve all areas of these states from our 15 locations. We are a contingency fee firm, and the initial consultation is free.
Call (800) 537-8185 now to learn more about how we may be able to help you prove your case and recover damages.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
