Frequently Asked Questions About T-bone or Broadside Accidents

What should you know about broadside accidents?

T-bone or broadside accidents are names for the same type of car wreck. These types of side impact wrecks injure and take the lives of thousands of people in the United States.

What is a T-bone, broadside or side impact accident?

A T-bone, broadside or side impact accident occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. It acquired the name of T-bone because the two-car collision forms a “T.”

Are side impact accidents common?

They are common accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side impacts accounted for 23 percent of passenger vehicle deaths in 2020. By comparison, head-on collisions are the most common and accounted for 58% of all passenger vehicle deaths.

How do side impact accidents occur?

They often occur at intersections when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way. For example, a driver at a stop light making a left turn might think the other driver is going to stop. However, the driver runs the red light and broadsides his vehicle. Another circumstance could be a car that is passing another car through an intersection and broadsides a car turning left.

T-bone accidents are generally avoidable, and often occur when the at fault-driver often isn’t paying close enough attention. Many factors can take a driver’s attention off the road, such as texting while driving, fatigue, drunk driving, adjusting a GPS and eating or drinking while driving.

How do you determine who was at fault?

Sometimes it’s easy to figure out who was at fault. A driver running a stop sign or making an illegal left turn would obviously be in the wrong. Or if drivers were texting or driving drunk, then their violation of the law makes them liable.

Do you need legal help with a broadside accident?

Michael R. De La Paz has successfully handled numerous accident cases over the years. Our firm also represents clients in accident cases nationwide in states other than Texas, such as Washington and Idaho. However, clients throughout Texas also turn to us for legal help, including those who live in San Antonio, Laredo, and Brownsville. Arrange a free consultation to evaluate your case.