T-Bone Car Accident Causes & Common Injuries

Whenever you see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles at an intersection, there is a likelihood that rescue workers are tending to the victim(s) of a t-bone car accident.

As the name suggests, a t-bone accident occurs when two vehicles are traveling perpendicular to one another  and the front of one vehicle strikes the driver side or passenger side of another vehicle. T-bone accidents, also known as side-impacts or broadside collisions, are one of the most serious types of car crashes on Indiana’s highways.

In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) cited t-bone accidents as the second-most deadly type of collision in the U.S., trailing only frontal impacts as the lead cause of wrongful death traffic accidents.

The following IIHS video illustrates the violent nature of a t-bone collision, leaving little doubt as to how significant a person’s injuries could be as a result:

Common Causes of T-bone Accidents

Largely occurring at intersections, t-bone car accident investigations often reveal one of the following liability factors:

• A driver attempts to make an illegal left-hand turn at an intersection and is struck in the passenger side by an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
• A driver runs a red light, failing to yield the right of way, and broadsides another vehicle.
• A driver backs out of a driveway, failing to yield the right of way, and is t-boned by an oncoming vehicle.
• A speeding driver broadsides a vehicle involved in a previous collision.

Despite a large number of these accidents happening at light-controlled intersections, Boulton Law Group has also handled t-bone collisions that occurred at a crossroad or intersection which uses stop signs.

And whether a t-bone car accident happens at a stoplight or stop sign, one thing they will have in common is the potential for traumatic injuries.

Common T-Bone Accident Injuries

Automobile safety features and their effectiveness have witnessed a meteoric rise over the last couple of decades. However, devices such as side-impact airbags cannot make up for the fact that there is much “less car” shielding a person from the force of a t-bone accident.

Boulton Law Group has handled a number of t-bone car accidents throughout the state, and the majority of our clients sustain one or more of the following injury types:

• Broken bones – due to the point of impact, victims may sustain breaks to their ribs, pelvis, arm, hand, leg, clavicle, etc.
• Neck and back injuries – the severe whiplash motion victims experience in a t-bone crash can result in a a number of muscle strains, nerve damage, and/or spinal injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries – concussions and other brain-related injuries can result from the victim striking their head on any part of the vehicle.
• Lacerations – cuts from broken glass and metal fragments are also a common occurrence in t-bone collisions.
• Fatal injuries – A t-bone accident that results in loss of life may necessitate a wrongful death lawsuit.

The severity of a victim’s injuries and/or the increased likelihood of suffering a fatal injury will depend on factors such as speed, size of the vehicles, use of seatbelts and side airbags, and the angle of the collision.

Due to the seriousness of a t-bone accident, it is important that you ensure fault is properly assigned to one or more of the drivers involved. This will help to ensure that the driver who has no (or minimal) fault is fully compensated for their injuries and/or loss.

How to Determine Fault for a T-Bone Accident

Significant injuries and property damage are a common result of t-bone collisions, but it is also quite common for these cases to involve disputed liability.

Having investigated and viewed several Indiana accident reports that detail t-bone accidents, our law firm typically sees one of the following three scenarios:

• “He said she said” – In a ‘he said she said’ accident, both drivers believe the other driver was at fault for the accident.
• Shared liability – Responding officers and/or the insurance company may assign a varying level of fault on both drivers. If this occurs, Indiana’s laws will not allow you to seek compensation if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident.
• Clear liability – T-bone accidents that result in one driver be placed 100% at fault for the t-bone accident is an example of clear liability.

In addition to the findings of on an Indiana accident report, our legal team may also choose to pursue witness statements, footage from intersection cameras, as well as gather supplemental data and physical evidence from the vehicles and the accident scene.

For those reasons, Boulton Law Group highly recommends that you contact an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to perform an independent investigation on your behalf.

Free Legal Help for T-Bone Car Accident Victims

Attorney Matt Boulton has more than 25 years’ experience helping Hoosiers recover compensation for their accident and injuries.

Based on his victories and approach to client service, his award-winning personal injury firm continues to be sought after by victims throughout Indiana as well as the Midwest.

Matt knows the questions victims will face following a serious t-bone accident. He also knows how to apply Indiana’s laws and evidence to help ensure the insurance company fully compensates you for your injuries and pain and suffering.

Boulton Law Group offers all accident victims a Zero Fee Guarantee. Our promise means that you will never pay for a consultation fee, and the only time our firm receives payment is after we win your case.

To speak with Matt about your t-bone accident case and receive friendly legal advice at no cost, you can call direct at 317-350-2680.

If you prefer to write to us with your story, you may use our confidential contact form. Matt personally reviews every web contact received at our firm.