Who is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident in Texas

T-bone accidents are among the most dangerous types of car crashes that can happen on Texas roadways. When a fast-moving vehicle strikes the side of another car, the force of impact can be extreme. People inside the vehicles often suffer severe injuries, including crush injuries, broken bones, damage to internal organs, spine damage, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and more. T-bone accidents are more likely to cause lifelong disabilities or result in fatalities, and people injured in T-bone accidents often require extensive medical care and treatment.

If you were injured in a T-bone accident, you may be entitled to compensation. People injured in Austin car accidents often turn to the personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos for aggressive legal representation to help them recover the financial compensation they deserve. Our legal team can analyze the circumstances of the accident, provide advice and legal guidance to help you move forward, and represent you in your legal claim to recover the compensation you deserve.

What Is a T-Bone Accident?

A “T-bone accident,” also known as a “side-impact crash” or a “broadside accident,” happens when one vehicle hits another on the side of the vehicle at approximately a 90-degree angle. The vehicles come to rest in a shape that resembles a “T.”

Because of the direct impact to the side of one of the vehicles and the relative lack of occupant protection, T-bone accidents are among the most dangerous types of car accident configurations.

What Are Common Causes of T-bone Accidents in Texas?

T-bone accidents are commonly caused by:

• Driver inattention;
• Distracted driving;
• Turning with an obstructed view;
• Running a red light or stop sign;
• Failure to yield the right of way;
• Aggressive driving (road rage);
• Making an illegal U-turn;
• Other dangerous driving behaviors.

What Are Common Injuries in a T-Bone Accident?

A T-bone accident can cause severe injuries that may require multiple surgeries and extensive medical care and treatment. Here are some of the most common injuries people suffer in a T-bone accident.

• Broken bones. A T-bone accident can cause broken bones, especially in the thigh (femur), shin bones (tibia or fibula), and arm (radius, ulna, or humorous).
• Damage to the back and spine. Herniated discs, slipped discs, fractured vertebrae, and muscle damage in the upper-, mid-, and lower-back are common in a T-bone accident. These injuries can cause significant pain and may require surgical repair.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The force of a T-bone accident can cause an occupant’s head to strike the interior of the vehicle, resulting in brain damage. Even if a person’s head does not hit the interior of the vehicle, the violent motion of the head during the collision can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, causing damage to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can result in extreme sensitivity to light, decreased brain function, loss of function, and permanent impairment.
• Head and neck injuries. The extreme forces of a T-bone accident can also result in severe damage and injury to the fragile muscles and tissues of the head and neck (whiplash).

Establishing Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident?

Establishing who was at fault for causing a T-bone accident requires a detailed analysis of the circumstances of the crash. Many factors can affect who is at fault for causing a T-bone accident, and either driver could be at fault.

Our lawyers can analyze the circumstances of your situation to determine who caused the crash that led to your injuries. We can analyze police reports, witness statements, reports from accident reconstruction experts, and camera footage to determine who violated applicable right-of-way rules.

Texas applies a modified comparative negligence standard, which means an injured person can recover compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible for causing the accident. However, the amount of their compensation will be reduced by the amount of fault attributed to them. An insurance adjuster might claim you were partially responsible for causing the accident because you were speeding, driving without your lights on, or otherwise contributed to the accident, even if you had the right of way. Our lawyers can fight to overcome these allegations and so you receive full compensation for your injuries.

Injured in a T-Bone Car Accident in Texas? Contact McKinney Vos Today.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a T-bone accident in Austin, contact McKinney Vos today to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.