One moment, you are driving through an intersection with a green light. The next, another vehicle slams into the side of your car. A T-bone accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, totaled vehicles, and a long list of unanswered questions. While many people assume fault is obvious in a side-impact crash, these cases are often more complicated than they appear. Determining liability may involve traffic signals, right-of-way laws, witness statements, and even whether both drivers contributed to the collision. Understanding how fault is determined after a T-bone accident can help you protect your rights and make informed decisions after a crash.

What Is A T-Bone Car Accident?

A T-bone vehicle accident is when two vehicles collide, with the front of one vehicle colliding with the side of another. The two vehicles hitting each other create a “T” shape. Sometimes these accidents are called a broadside collision or angle accident.

How Fault Is Determined In A T-Bone Accident

Fault in a T-bone accident often comes down to right-of-way rules under Washington law. The driver who had the right of way is generally considered the “favored driver,” meaning they had the legal right to proceed through the intersection without yielding.

Drivers approaching from the left at an uncontrolled intersection are typically required to yield to vehicles on the right. Likewise, drivers making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic before crossing into the intersection. Violating these basic rules is one of the most common causes of side-impact collisions.

Who May Be At Fault In A T-Bone Collision?

Either driver or both drivers could be found to be at fault in a T-bone accident. Typically, the driver who failed to follow the rules of the road will be found primarily at fault. For example, if one driver runs a red light or stop sign. Generally, a driver who is entering or crossing traffic from a side street must wait until the roadway is clear. Additionally, a driver making an unsafe left turn would be primarily at fault.

In some situations, both drivers could be found at fault for the accident. For example, one driver could have made an illegal left turn, while the other driver was speeding. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system, which means fault can be divided between multiple drivers. Even if you were partially responsible for the crash, you may still recover compensation. However, your total recovery is reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Evidence Used To Prove Fault In A T-Bone Accident

Several types of evidence are used when evaluating a T-bone accident. One of the most valuable is the police report. The officer responding to the accident will document each driver’s statements, witness statements, the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any other relevant information. Another valuable source of evidence is cameras. There may be street or traffic cameras, local business security footage, or a vehicle dash camera. This video footage can show exactly what happened and clarify who was at fault.

When video footage is not available, witness statements are valuable. These are individuals who saw the accident occur but were not involved. Insurance companies and the court will give weight to these statements because they are a disinterested third party that does not have an incentive to support one driver over the other.

Vehicle damage and an accident reconstruction can help support a driver’s account of what happened before and during the accident. The vehicle damage shows the point of impact. Skid marks show if a driver attempted to brake before the accident. Debris patterns and damage point to the vehicle speeds. Vehicle positioning helps show where each vehicle was on the road, helping to determine fault.

Common Scenarios That Lead To T-Bone Accidents

There are common driving situations that create a greater risk of a T-bone accident. Being aware of these situations can help drivers be more aware. That way, they can drive defensively and hopefully avoid an accident. Left turn accidents where one driver is making a left across oncoming traffic are a common T-bone situation. One of the vehicles in oncoming traffic strikes the turning vehicle. This type of turn can happen at an intersection or in the middle of a road. It can also happen at a stop sign when one driver does not come to a complete stop and decides to drive through the intersection.

A T-bone accident also commonly occurs when a driver attempts to cross multiple traffic lanes without a clear view of all lanes. The driver will have a clear view of the nearest lanes and decide to cross. However, not all of the lanes are clear, and the crossing vehicle is struck by traffic while crossing.

What To Do After A T-Bone Accident

The first priorities after any vehicle accident are safety and medical treatment. Call 911 and report the accident to emergency response services. Drivers and passengers should move to a safe location that is in the area but out of the flow of traffic.

It is not always clear who was at fault at the scene. However, you should be honest with law enforcement about the events of the accident when filing a police report. Before leaving the accident scene, drivers should gather as much evidence as possible. This includes pictures and videos of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, and witness contact information. Afterward, speak with a car accident attorney. They will review your gathered evidence and discuss your legal options. Once hired, a lawyer will communicate with the insurance company on their client’s behalf. This includes negotiating a settlement and advocating for their client’s recovery of damages.

Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer

T-bone accidents often happen in an instant, but the consequences can last for months or even years. Fault depends on more than just which vehicle was hit where. If you were injured in a T-bone accident, the personal injury team at Robinson & Kole can review what happened and help you understand your legal options. Their attorneys handle car accident claims throughout Washington and work to hold negligent drivers accountable. Contact Robinson & Kole today to discuss your case.