Who’s at Fault in a T-bone Car Accident?

The injuries that can result from a T-bone car accident could prove life-altering for the occupants of a vehicle hit from the side. Also called broadside crashes, these T-shaped collisions can subject the struck vehicle’s occupants to the full force of the impact. If you or a loved one were injured in a T-bone collision in South Carolina, the team at Jordan Law Center is here to help you obtain the compensatory justice you deserve.

What Can Cause a T-Bone Car Accident?

The most common cause of a T-boned car crash is the at-fault driver’s failure to yield to another driver’s right-of-way. This type of collision usually occurs at a stop sign or traffic light intersection but could also occur when a driver pulls out of a parking space without checking a side view mirror. Unless the at-fault driver intended to run a red light or disregard a stop sign, driver distraction often plays a role in side-impact collisions.

Driver distraction can relate to:

  • Eating while driving
  • Talking on a phone or texting
  • Reaching for an item inside the vehicle
  • Arguing with a passenger
  • Focusing on a GPS or map instead of the road ahead

Although drivers should always adjust their speed and stopping distances to reflect weather conditions, icy roads could also contribute to a T-bone car accident. In some cases, road conditions alone could cause a side-impact collision.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a T-Bone Crash?

Drivers who cause collisions can be held liable when the evidence proves they’re at fault. It’s often demonstrated that the driver of the vehicle that struck the other car failed to yield to that vehicle’s right-of-way. In some cases, both drivers may share some of the responsibility for the crash, and a dispute could arise regarding who had the legal right-of-way.

Shared responsibility could become an important issue in determining compensation in a T-bone car accident case.

South Carolina follows the modified comparative negligence formula when assigning compensation for damages. You may only obtain compensation from an at-fault driver if you can prove that your shared responsibility for the crash was no greater than 50%.

A vehicle or component manufacturer may be held liable.

If you were harmed in a roadway accident caused by a defect in your car or in another driver’s vehicle, you may seek compensation from the manufacturer. A manufacturer’s liability could also extend to the maker of an individual part or component. A defective brake system or one of its components could, for example, prevent a vehicle from stopping in time to prevent a crash.

Under certain conditions, local government may be held liable for a T-bone car accident.

If a collision results from an inoperative traffic signal or missing stop sign, the local government agency responsible for roadway maintenance could be found liable. A maintenance crew may have also failed to remedy or repair a road hazard within a reasonable amount of time. A tree that fell over a roadway or other debris that was ignored could, for example, cause a driver to swerve and strike another vehicle.

Common Side-Impact Car Accident Injuries

Severe injuries can result from T-bone crashes. When a vehicle gets struck from the rear or the front, the trunk or the hood could absorb some of the force of impact. The driver and passenger sides of a car, however, do not provide much protection from the force of a broadside impact. In many cases, a T-bone accident injury could prove severe enough to become a long-term or life-altering disability.

Some of the injuries that could result from a T-bone car accident include:

  • Neck and head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Back, chest and pelvic injuries
  • Internal organ damage and fractured bones

A severe side-impact injury could leave a crash victim with overwhelming medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. Your claim for financial compensation can include all of the expenses related to your recovery and also cover your lost wages if you were unable to work. Documentation, such as accident-related invoices and previous pay stubs, can prove helpful in backing up your claim.

Our car accident attorneys could also pursue compensation for the pain and suffering you endured. If the crash left you with a permanent or long-term disability, your attorney could also seek compensation for a reduced quality of life and lost future earnings.

What Are Your Legal Options After a T-Bone Car Accident?

If you were injured in a vehicle accident, South Carolina allows you to seek compensation from the at-fault party. In most cases, that compensation will come from the liable party’s insurance carrier. The insurance company may offer you a settlement, but it could be considerably less than the amount you deserve. The settlement offered may not take into account the pain and suffering you endured or the lost quality of life caused by an accident-related disability.

If the insurance company’s settlement offer is less than what you deserve, you have the option to take the issue to court. Whether negotiating with an insurance company or presenting your case to a jury, our car accident attorneys can provide the representation you need to obtain the results you deserve.

What Will Your Attorney Do To Prove Liability?

The steps an experienced car accident attorney will take to prove liability in a T-bone car accident case include:

  • Gathering evidence, which could involve medical records, accident reports, cell phone records and witness statements
  • Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
  • Documenting and itemizing all of the accident-related medical, financial and emotional damages

The most important step your car accident attorney will take is demonstrating a direct link between the at-fault party’s actions and the harm caused.

Our Car Accident Injury Attorneys Can Provide the Help You Need After a T-Bone Collision

In addition to taking steps to maximize your compensation, the Jordan Law Center team will keep you updated on the progress of your case. We’ll make sure all of the requirements of your T-bone car accident claim get filed properly and on time. You’ll gain the peace of mind that comes from working with a seasoned team of legal professionals. Contact us 24/7. We charge no fees unless we achieve compensatory justice for you.

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