Posted in Car Accidents on August 24, 2022
T-bone accidents, often referred to as side-impact crashes, can lead to significant injuries and extensive property damage for those involved. However, before an individual can recover compensation for their losses, liability for the incident must be determined. Here, we want to discuss who could be at fault for a T-bone accident. The reality is that there are various factors that must be taken into account when determining fault in these situations.
Common Causes of California T-Bone Accidents
T-bone collisions can occur in a wide variety of ways, which means that fault for a T-bone collision can be difficult to determine. There is no way to know fault simply by saying, “one vehicle T-boned the other, therefore, this particular vehicle is responsible.” There are several nuances that will have to be examined with each particular claim. These accidents can occur while in your own personal vehicle or a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft.
Some of the most common ways that T-bone collisions occur in California include the following types of scenarios:
- One driver fails to stop at a stop sign or stoplight, significantly increasing the chances that a T-bone collision will occur with traffic that did not have to stop.
- Left-hand turns are the most dangerous type of turn that a person can perform because this often puts them into the path of oncoming traffic. If a driver fails to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and make a left-hand turn, this could lead to a high-impact T-bone collision.
- If a driver fails to yield the right of way when leaving a driveway, parking lot, or alleyway, this could put them into the path of oncoming vehicles already on the roadway who have the right of way.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of the ways that T-bone collisions occur, just a list of some of the common ways they happen. Just about every T-bone collision that does happen occurs as a result of one driver failing to yield the right of way to another. Failing to yield the right of way is a violation of law, and the driver who failed to yield will likely be found at fault for the incident and be responsible for paying compensation to other drivers and passengers involved.
Recovering Compensation for a T-Bone Accident
Any individual injured in a T-bone collision caused by the negligence of another driver will typically be able to recover various types of compensation. This includes both special and general damages, such as the following:
- Medical bills related to the incident
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages if a collision victim is unable to work
- Property damage expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
The total amount of compensation paid to a T-bone accident injury victim will vary depending on a variety of factors. This includes examining the severity of the injuries, the level of property damage, the total amount of pain and suffering, as well as whether or not there was any shared fault for the incident. We strongly recommend working with a skilled T-bone accident attorney in Long Beach who can examine the facts of your case and help you recover maximum compensation.