Important Facts About T-bone Accidents: Were You Hit or at Fault?

Legal Yogi can help you understand the facts surrounding T-bone accidents and what to expect when filing or defending an accident claim.

Get Your No Cost- Real Time Legal Phone Consult

Determining Fault in T-bone Car Accidents

In the case of a T-bone collision, there is no clear-cut way to determine who is at fault. Usually, the police officer on the scene determines fault in a T-bone accident by conducting an investigation and reviewing evidence such as witness statements, skid marks, and damage to the vehicles involved.

However, a T-bone car accident lawyer can help by assessing the situation. Depending on the circumstances, either driver could be at fault, or it could be a case where each is partially to blame.

Many times determining fault is easy, but accident victims must be able to prove what occurred to hold the responsible party financially responsible. When you are trying to determine fault in a T-bone accident, you must be able to prove the following three things:

If you can prove all of the above, you are in a position to seek compensation from the driver who was responsible.

Not all cases of T-bone accidents are the fault of either driver. Sometimes it can result from problems with the road, such as a poorly placed stop sign or a malfunctioning traffic signal, both of which could result in a claim against the government entity responsible.

It can sometimes be a manufacturing defect that prevents the vehicle from stopping. In that case, you can make a claim against the manufacturer.

Consulting with a T-bone car accident attorney can be beneficial in determining whether another party should assume partial legal responsibility for the accident. Specific evidence is necessary to decide which party is responsible for causing the accident.

The most critical components of evidence are photos and the police report. In addition, the insurance adjuster may interview the parties involved and any potential witnesses.

Find the Best Lawyer in Your Area

Our database of lawyers is the largest in the industry, and we offer four free consultations with a legal professional. Our phone lines are operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to help clients like you find the legal help they need.

The Role of a T-bone Car Accident Lawyer

Sometimes it is difficult to assess who should hold responsibility for a T-bone accident. This is why it is essential to consult with a T-bone accident lawyer with the expertise to determine if the other party may share legal responsibility for the accident.

The lawyer will review all the evidence, including the photos and police report, to determine what he sees based on the evidence and what was presented in interviews.

It may seem unnecessary to hire a T-bone car accident lawyer since your insurance company will provide one for you. The benefits of hiring one for yourself are numerous. There are six primary reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer following a T-bone collision.

1. You Were Injured in the Accident.

There is always the possibility of severe injuries after any car accident, but this is especially true after a head-on or side-impact collision. Injuries happen in a T-bone accident; if you have been injured, a car crash attorney can help you obtain the best settlement based on your injuries. A T-bone accident injury attorney can be your most valuable asset if you suffer from any of the conditions below as a result of the accident:

While recovering, you shouldn’t have to worry about fighting for compensation for injuries someone else’s negligence caused. You need to concentrate on getting better and let your T-bone accident lawyer take care of the rest.

2. Responsibility for the Accident Is Questionable.

If it needs to be clarified who was responsible for the accident, you need to engage the services of a personal injury lawyer. When liability is uncertain, you must take it upon yourself to prove it was not your fault. This requires you to gather a large amount of evidence, such as the following:

You must prove someone else was at fault to have a legitimate case. You need to hire a personal injury lawyer if you were entirely—or even partially—at fault.

3. A Lawyer Can Provide Help Negotiating With the Insurance Company.

Insurance adjusters are not easy to work with. The adjuster is there to obtain the lowest settlement possible for his company.

So you want to choose a personal injury lawyer with experience negotiating with the adjusters and the insurance company itself, if necessary. It would be best if you were equipped to deal with insurance adjusters to ensure you get the best settlement possible for your injuries and property damage.

4. You Can Obtain a Higher Settlement With Legal Representation.

According to a report by the Insurance Research Council, claimants who legal counsel represented received 40 percent higher settlements than those who weren’t. As stated, insurance adjusters attempt to obtain the lowest possible settlement for the companies they represent. When claimants hire personal injury lawyers, it is more than likely they will receive a higher settlement.

5. You Only Pay if You Win.

Personal injury lawyers do not charge an hourly fee like other lawyers. The fee is based on the amount of the settlement. If you don’t win, they don’t collect anything. The average fee is 33 percent of your settlement, though sometimes it can be more or less.

6. The Lawyer Can Represent You in Court.

Sometimes it is necessary to take a T-bone car accident case to trial. This happens if the settlement offer is unreasonably low or the other party refuses to settle. It can be a rather stressful situation to attempt to do it yourself.

T-bone Accident or Side-impact Collisions Case

A T-bone accident may also be called a side impact or broadside collision. This type of accident occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a T at the collision point (thus the name T-bone crash).

In this type of accident, a driver fails to stop at a stop sign or red light and enters the intersection as another vehicle crosses through it. There are eight essential steps to follow after you have been involved in a T-bone collision.

8 Steps Following a T-bone Accident

Check Yourself for Injuries

Check yourself for any signs of injury, especially those not visible. If you are injured, call 911 if you can do so; if not, ask someone to do it for you. Try to avoid moving if you are seriously injured.

Wait for the Police

Wait for the police and emergency services to arrive. Secure your vehicle by turning off the engine and turning on your emergency blinkers. If you have flares, place them in the back of your vehicle as a warning to other vehicles.

Check Your Passengers

Check with your passengers for any signs of injury. Call emergency services or ask a bystander to do it if there are injured passengers.

Get to Safety

If you can move, go to the side of the road or the sidewalk. If you can drive your car, pull it to the side of the road if it is causing a hazard. If you can't drive it, leave it where it is and get yourself to safety if you are able.

Call Emergency Services

Call emergency services. It doesn't matter if the accident is a minor or a T-bone collision. You want to report it to the police. The police will fill out an accident report, which you will need for the insurance company.

If Possible, File at the Scene

#7

Exchange Information

Exchange information with the other driver after you ensure no one in your vehicle is injured.

Full name, address, and telephone number of the other driver.
Name of the insurance company and policy number.
Driver's license and registration plate number.
Model of the car, color, and type
The location where the accident occurred

When discussing information with the other driver, you need to avoid passing blame or accepting blame—that is something for the police and insurance adjuster to determine. However, you need to do the following:

#8

Document All the Facts

To protect yourself, you want to make sure to do the following:

Obtain the name and badge number of all responding officers.
Ask the officers where you can obtain a copy of the accident report.
Take pictures of both vehicles from different angles, including a picture of the license plate on the other vehicle. This may help your insurer to support any claims.
Write down the names and addresses of any involved parties—drivers and passengers.
Get names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident.

Do I need Evidence?

The evidence is important in a T-bone accident case because it helps the police and the insurance adjuster determine who the responsible party is. The evidence will support all claims even if it appears cut and dry.

The Importance of Hiring a T-bone Car Accident Lawyer

[How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help in a T-bone Accident Case]

The aftermath of a T-bone accident can be pretty complex and daunting. Hiring a T-bone accident lawyer can be quite beneficial during the investigation and claim filing process. The lawyer the insurance company hires is on the side of the insurer, not you, so you want someone who will look out for your best interests.

They can also help guide you through the legal process, gather evidence to support your claim (regardless of who was at fault), and handle negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf. They will work hard to help ensure you receive a fair settlement for both injuries and damages you have suffered because of the accident.

Legal Advice

Our Process Has Been Proven to Be Most Effective, Less Expensive, and Less Time Consuming All While Being 100% Free to Use. Just Call or Click

Representation in Court

Feel Confident With an Assertive Legal Partner by Your Side While Appearing in Court.

Case Evaluation

Sleep Well Knowing You Have a Solid Car Accident Claim and Will be Able to Hold the Responsible Party Accountable

Investigation

Details are Important to Your Settlement. Don't be Accused of Wrong Doing When You are not the One at Fault.

Litigation

You Want an Attorney That Will Take Your Case to Court if Necessary and Not Settle for Less.

Negotiation

When the Other Party is Eager to Settle, a Strong Negotiator Ensures the Best Possible Outcome.

Legal-Yogi can help by providing you with a free consult with a personal injury lawyer following a T-bone accident. The vast database of legal professionals’ with Legal Yogi can guide you through the investigation and information-gathering process. Hiring a lawyer is daunting for many people, so speaking with the experts at Legal Yogi can relieve that stress.

The fact we offer up to four free consultations by request can ease the mind of those who feel they can’t afford a T-bone accident lawyer. We will explain that a personal injury lawyer works on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront fees, and if you don’t win, you don’t pay.

This means they only take cases they are confident they can win. After we answer all your legal questions, we can refer you to a lawyer who will best take care of your needs, but you’re not obligated to hire anyone, ever.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What evidence is needed to determine fault in a T-bone car accident?

The evidence needed to prove fault in a T-bone car accident is the police report, photos of the scene (both vehicles), and any eyewitness accounts. It would be best to take pictures of both vehicles from several angles.

How can a T-bone car accident lawyer help in a T-bone accident case?

A T-bone accident lawyer can assist a victim in several ways, starting with helping with the gathering of evidence and submitting the claim to the insurance company. In the case of a meager settlement offer or the failure of the responsible party to settle, the lawyer can represent you at trial.

What are the differences between a T-bone car accident injury attorney and a personal injury lawyer?

A T-bone car accident lawyer specializes in T-bone accidents, while a personal injury lawyer handles cases on a broader scale.
A T-bone accident lawyer has the expertise to conduct the necessary work to discover who is at fault for the accident.

How long does resolving a T-bone accident case with a T-bone car accident lawyer take?

A rough estimate will be six to twelve months if the provider of care or treatment accepts liability immediately. If there is a question of liability, it could take 12-18 months. In some complex cases, it could take longer.

What should I bring to my first meeting with a T-bone car accident lawyer?

Photos of both vehicles
Case ID or report number from the police report
Name of the police department that investigated the accident
Driver’s license and insurance information of the other driver
The license plate number of the other vehicle
The policy number and declaration page of your insurance policy
Health insurance cards, including
Medicare or Medicaid
Your social security number
Some type of photo ID
The license plate number of your car
Vehicle title if it is declared a total loss
Repair estimates if the vehicle is repairable
All documentation related to your medical care
Contact information for any specialists or other medical personnel you have been advised to see
Contact information for all medical providers from whom you have consulted or received treatment
Employer’s name, address, and telephone number
Receipts for medications you have purchased
A recent pay stub if you have been off work because of the accident
Documentation that shows the value of anything damaged or lost in the accident

How can a T-bone car accident lawyer help me with my insurance claim?

A T-bone car accident lawyer can help you with the details of your claim. Once it is filed, the lawyer can negotiate with the adjuster or insurer on your behalf. Those with legal representation tend to receive higher settlements than those who attempt to do it independently.