You’re safely driving through an intersection when another vehicle suddenly slams into the side of your car. This type of crash – commonly known as an angle, broadside, side-impact, or T-bone collision – is one of the most frequent. Statistics show that T-bone accidents are more likely to cause injuries and fatalities than other types of accidents.
When a T-bone crash happens, it’s normal to wonder, “Who’s at fault?” Alabama law makes determining fault in these accidents crucial. This article gives key information to answer your questions about fault in T-bone accidents. It also explains how an Alabama personal injury attorney can help after a T-bone accident.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
In an angle accident, the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another. They appear to make a “T” shape, giving the accident its common nickname, the T-bone collision. According to the National Safety Council’s (NSC) car accident data, T-bone crashes make up roughly one-third of all car accidents. Nevertheless, the NSC found that angle crashes are over 40 percent of crashes that result in serious injury or death.
Car design is the most likely reason why T-bone accidents are disproportionately dangerous. Over the years, car manufacturers have decreased the chances of injuries and fatalities in head-on collisions and rear-end accidents with improvements such as reinforced bumpers and crumple zones. However, the sides of cars lack similar protections. Until they do, T-bone accidents will likely continue to cause excessive amounts of injury.
Most T-bone accidents happen at intersections. One federal study found that side-impact crashes accounted for over 60% of fatal collisions at intersections. Also, roughly half of rural intersection crashes are broadsides. Because speeding is more common on rural roads and rural intersections are less likely to have signals, side-impact crashes on rural roads can be especially dangerous.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents happen under many circumstances. Here are a few:
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Poor intersection design
- Vehicle malfunctions
Determining Fault in T-Bone Accidents in Alabama
Before considering who might be at fault, it’s important to understand how personal injury cases work in Alabama.
To win an Alabama personal injury case, you and your Birmingham personal injury attorney will have to prove that the other driver was negligent. Negligence requires proof that you were injured in the accident. Then you and your Alabama car accident attorney will also have to prove that:
- The other driver had an obligation to drive in a particular way,
- The other driver failed to drive in the way required by law or custom, and
- The other driver’s failures to drive in a specific way directly caused your injuries.
Now, let’s apply this analysis to each of the potential causes of a T-bone accident.
- Red lights and stop signs. Because most T-bone accidents happen at intersections, understanding fault for red light running is crucial. The law requires drivers to stop for red lights and stop signs. Running a red light shows that the driver was not complying with the law, which is a necessary part of your negligence case.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way. All drivers have a duty to take reasonable care while driving, and this includes yielding to other vehicles. A driver who fails to yield has ignored that duty. This failure can be used to show negligence.
- Distracted driving. Drivers have an obligation to keep their focus on the road at all times. Proof that the other driver was texting, eating, or engaged in other distracting behaviors before or during your T-bone accident can help you prove negligence.
- Driving under the influence. A DUI is a violation of both traffic law and criminal law. A person who gets behind the wheel while knowing that they are intoxicated has clearly violated their duty to drive safely. Additionally, in Alabama, you may also be able to sue the establishment that overserved the driver who hit you.
- Drowsy driving. A driver who operates a vehicle while drowsy or asleep at the wheel is not acting with the care that the law requires. This is especially true if they knew that they were tired before they got behind the wheel.
- Poor intersection design. Intersection accidents often happen because a driver fails to drive appropriately for the conditions (e.g., speeding during an ice or rain storm.) However, sometimes, the driver may have missed crucial information because the streetlights or other visibility aids weren’t working. The traffic signals may have been out-of-order. In some cases, the very design of the intersection is an issue. An intersection that doesn’t account for things such as hills may have built-in blind spots that even the most careful drivers can’t overcome.
When the maintenance of a street, highway, or intersection is an issue, the party at fault is usually the federal, state, or local government agency that has responsibility for maintaining the roadway. However, suing a government entity can be difficult. Your Alabama personal injury attorney can explain the special rules that apply.
- Vehicle malfunctions. Although rare, it is possible that the other driver hit you because their brakes, tires, or other important systems failed. This failure could be because the driver refused to take their car in for scheduled maintenance. But if the driver kept their car in good condition, the car manufacturer, the maker of the parts, or others involved with making the vehicle could be responsible.
An Alabama Injury Attorney Can Help You Prove Fault in a T-Bone Accident
Establishing fault in a T-bone accident is not simple. However, your Birmingham accident attorney can help you by conducting a thorough investigation of your accident that reviews police reports, traffic camera footage, and more. They can examine your medical and employment records to help you estimate the appropriate amount of damages in your case. They can also help you meet deadlines, prepare court filings, hire expert witnesses and much more.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a T-bone or other type of accident, contact Collins Law, LLC. We can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call 205-588-1411 to schedule a free consultation today.
