Who Is At Fault In A T-Bone Accident?

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A T-bone accident is quite common. It is a situation where one vehicle crashes head-on into the side of another vehicle. Also called a broadside collision, it earned its name because it happens when the affected vehicles form the shape of the letter “T.” The aftermath of this type of accident is always catastrophic, especially for the vehicle that was T-boned sideways. Victims in this type of accident are at high risk of severe injury or even death, depending on the speed and nature of the collision. Common injuries that could arise from a T-bone accident include bone fractures, traumatic brain injury, bruises, cuts, scrapes, and so on. Determining fault in a T-Bone accident is quite straightforward, and in this guide, we will be walking you through different scenarios of who’s liable.

The Driver Who Doesn’t Have The Right Of Way

The most common cause of a T-bone accident is when a driver disobeys traffic laws even when they don’t have the right of way. For example, at a T intersection, when the light is red, but a driver drives on regardless but ends up colliding with or getting hit by an oncoming vehicle with the right of way, the driver who disobeys the traffic law is held liable for the accident.

So, it doesn’t matter whether you collide with a vehicle or a driver collides with your car, provided the other driver doesn’t have the right of way, they are the at-fault party and will be held liable for damages. But to win such cases, you must hire the best personal injury lawyer Edwardsville for your representation.

Others Responsible For The Other Driver’s Conduct

In some cases, the at-fault driver at an intersection causing a T-bone accident is due to factors beyond the driver’s control. For example, we all know it is illegal to drive while impaired, but what if the other driver had a prescription medication but wasn’t warned about the dangers of using it while driving?

Similarly, what if the other driver was operating a commercial vehicle despite their employer knowing they had an unsafe driving record? Or an underage joyriding their parent’s vehicle without their express permission? In such a situation, an experienced lawyer knows to look beyond the other driver‘s actions.

Faulty Vehicle Parts

In some cases, the fault in a T-Bone accident may lie with the vehicle manufacturer or maintenance garage. Consider this: if you just purchased a vehicle or took it to the repair garage for general maintenance, and on your way home, you notice faulty parts such as:

Failed brakes
Stuck accelerator
Faulty steering system
Damaged suspension
Expired tires

In such a case, the driver is obviously not at fault if a faulty vehicle part caused the accident. In Edwardsville and some other states in the U.S., the injured parties can legally hold the vehicle manufacturer or repair garage liable for damages. But it’s important you speak with an experienced lawyer first to determine the best course of action.

Road Engineering And Design

The Edwardsville, Illinois, traffic law is well defined to help prevent accidents like T-Bone at intersections, especially very busy ones. However, the engineering and design of a road can have a huge impact on drivers’ ability to make the right judgment.

For example, the more traffic expected to drive through an intersection, the more robust signage is required. Similarly, when drivers are approaching an intersection, there should be an adequate sightline to see and assess oncoming traffic adequately. If the road’s layout is confusing, drivers could make mistakes, causing collisions.