Broadside collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle crashes. These accidents can happen in many places, and they can have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
To protect your safety and your legal rights in a broadside accident, it’s important to understand where these collisions most frequently occur in Alabama, what causes them, and what help you have available to you in the event you’re injured in one.
What Is a Broadside Collision?
Broadside collisions are a type of car accident that most commonly occurs at intersections when one driver fails to yield and does not have the right of way, resulting in the other vehicle being struck on the side. These accidents are often called “T-bones” because the two vehicles form a T shape when they collide.
Most Common Locations for Broadside Collisions in Alabama
In Alabama, broadside car accidents happen most frequently in the following areas:
- Signalized intersections in urban areas
- Uncontrolled or poorly marked rural intersections
- Left-turn conflict zones
- Parking lot exits and commercial driveways
Why Intersections Are the #1 Risk Area in Alabama
Wherever busy roads meet, there are concentrated streams of vehicles heading in different directions, which means there is a significant risk of a T-bone accident. Intersections in urban areas are even riskier, as they tend to have denser automobile traffic, as well as significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic. In other words, wherever vehicles and people must cross each other’s paths, broadside accidents are more likely to occur.
Factors That Contribute to Broadside Collisions in Alabama
Even in the highest-risk areas, broadside crashes still require some form of driver error, negligence, or recklessness to occur. Some of the most common contributing factors to these car crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield or obey traffic signals
- Impaired driving
Additionally, many broadside collisions occur when other factors, such as poor visibility and poor signage, confuse drivers or compromise their ability to make safe decisions on the road.
How to Prevent Broadside Collisions
Avoiding broadside collisions requires defensive driving and situational awareness. When approaching an intersection, be sure to:
- Come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign
- Look both ways for other drivers, even when you have the right-of-way
- Avoid left turns unless you have a clear view of oncoming traffic
- Never assume an oncoming driver is going to stop until it’s clear they are
- Slow down in poor weather and low-light conditions
Legal and Insurance Implications in Alabama
Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule for car accident liability. That means that even if you’re only partially at fault, you may be barred from seeking compensation. However, it’s important that you don’t assume anything about your role in the accident until you’ve spoken with an experienced car accident attorney about a potential personal injury claim.
Stay Alert at Alabama Intersections and Contact Us for Help
If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a broadside collision caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights. The team at Collins Law, LLC, can be your fiercest advocates as you seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an Alabama car accident lawyer.
