A “T-bone” accident is a motor vehicle crash in which the front end of one car collides with either side of another, creating a T-shape. These types of accidents are common and often have catastrophic consequences.
If you were recently involved in a T-bone collision and believe someone else is to blame, it is important to understand the complexities of a T-bone accident and your legal options. At Weinberg Law Offices, we can assist you in holding the responsible party accountable.
How Do T-Bone Accidents Happen?
T-bone accidents can happen under various circumstances and scenarios but are most common at intersections. A driver failing to stop or yield at a traffic light or sign can result in this type of crash.
T-bone car accident injuries can be particularly devastating, especially if a passenger is seated at the side point of impact. Determining whose negligence contributed to the accident is essential when filing a t-bone accident claim. We can help you determine who caused the crash, how it happened, and what your next steps should be.
How to Prove Your Case
One of the most obvious yet important ways of determining who is at fault in any car accident, especially a T-bone crash, is to examine the vehicle’s position after the crash. However, examining the car’s position after the collision is not the only way and certainly not enough to prove your case in court. Several factors will be used to examine and determine liability.
Notably, more than one party is often at least partially at fault, so conducting a thorough investigation to determine each percentage of fault is crucial.
Vehicle position may provide some insight into the fault, but you must look for other forms of evidence, including:
- Traffic signals and stop signs;
- Traffic camera footage;
- Nearby surveillance video;
- Eyewitness statements;
- Physical evidence, such as skid marks and vehicle damage;
- Statements from each driver and their passengers;
- Accident or police report;
- Expert opinion; and
- Accident recreation technology.
Most of this evidence and information will be gathered later, but if you can take pictures or videos with your cell phone at the scene, that real-time capture can be of great use. Your T-bone accident lawyer will help you request and collect the other essential evidence needed for your case.
T-Bone Accident Compensation
The compensation you might be entitled to recover from a T-bone accident will vary widely. Factors that will influence your t-bone settlement or award include:
- Number of parties involved,
- Applicable insurance policy limits,
- Who the defendants are (i.e., private citizens or commercial entities),
- Applicable law,
- Reliability and availability of evidence, and
- Percentage of fault.
Each of these factors can increase or decrease your expected compensation.
Applicable California Law
Like most states, California follows an “at-fault” policy regarding auto accidents. In an “at-fault” state, the driver who caused the accident is liable for compensating the victim for damages. In other words, in a car accident, you must show the other driver’s negligence through their actions or inactions caused your injuries.
Comparative Negligence Rule
In addition to being an at-fault state, California is a comparative negligence state, which means a plaintiff can collect damages even if they are up to 99% at fault for the wreck. Their percentage of fault will simply reduce their award.
For instance, if a jury determines a plaintiff was 20% at fault for causing the accident, their award will be reduced by 20%. Taking it a step further, if the jury awards that same plaintiff $100,000, they will be entitled to $80,000.
Why is this important? Often, more than one person is responsible for the accident. For instance, while one driver may have run the stop sign, the other may have been texting on their phone, both attributing fault to the crash.
Determining fault in any car accident is essential but also complicated. However, it can be incredibly complex and difficult to determine in a T-bone accident without the help of professionals.
Common Causes of a T-Bone Crash
The precise cause of a T-bone crash is infinite, but almost all are caused by someone’s negligence. Common causes that we often see include:
- Driving while intoxicated;
- Failing to obey traffic signals or signs (e.g., running a red light or stop sign);
- Making an unsafe left turn;
- Unsafe lane change;
- Distracted driving (e.g., texting while driving);
- Speeding, reckless, or aggressive driving;
- Traffic signal malfunctions; and
- Power outages that leave traffic lights inoperable.
No matter the cause of the crash, you should not be left to deal with the ramifications alone. If you are recovering from serious injuries and unable to work, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Damages in a T-Bone Crash
If you successfully prove your claim, you may be entitled to compensatory damages, including economic and noneconomic damages.
- Economic damages. Economic damages compensate a plaintiff for their calculable losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and the cost of repair or replacement of the car. The best way to estimate economic damages is to add up receipts, records, estimates, and invoices.
- Noneconomic damages. Noneconomic damages aim to compensate a car accident victim for intangible, subjective losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These are more difficult to estimate because they are unique to the victim and vary widely, even among individuals with similar injuries.
In cases of extreme negligence, a plaintiff may be awarded punitive damages by the court to punish and make an example of a defendant who acted with malice or recklessness. Our personal injury lawyers will assess your T-bone accident claim and advise you on the damages you might expect to receive.
California T-Bone Accident Attorneys
At Weinberg Law Offices, we vigorously advocate for each of our clients. If you were injured in a T-bone accident caused by someone else, we are here for you. We are fluent in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. Contact us today for a compassionate and thorough free case assessment.
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal advice.
As a personal injury attorney, my mantra is that there is no such thing as a “small case”. I will give 100% matter how big or small a case may be. I am fluent in English, Hebrew, and Spanish, languages which I use regularly in my practice.
Loading...