What Does It Mean to Be T-Boned in an Accident?

A T-bone accident happens when the front of one car hits the side of another. The resulting collision results in accident damage in the shape of the letter T. The other name for T-bone accidents is broadside collision with side impact. The result could be life-altering injuries and costly property damage.

These types of accidents usually happen due to the fault of one driver, and determining liability is often a complex task. Consult skilled Boston personal injury attorneys if you or your loved one were involved in a T-bone crash. The lawyers can investigate the case, analyze the details, and help determine who was at fault for the accident.

How is Fault Determined in a T-Fault Accident?

Determining fault in a T-bone accident doesn’t depend on who t-boned who, but rather which car had the right to move forward, also known as the right of way. In the collision, one vehicle had the right of way, and the other violated that right.

The car that violated the right of way rule may bear more brunt for the accident, but the other driver could also be to blame for being unable to recognize what the other driver was doing. Witness statements are crucial in these accidents to help determine what happened.

Experienced Boston car accident lawyers can help you collect more evidence to support your claim if you believe the other driver was at fault for the accident. They can also help you face insurance adjusters who may try to shortchange you to avoid compensating you for the damages.

Who Could Be Held Liable in a T-Bone Accident?

Liability in a T-bone accident will depend on various factors and circumstances of the case, such as the following:

Left-Turn Accidents

A driver making a left turn may do so because they think a light has turned green while still red. They may turn in front of a vehicle going the opposite direction with a green light, causing the oncoming car to T-bone them.

Other times, it could be the driver going in the opposite direction who thinks the light is green for them, yet it’s still red. The car making the left turn already has the right of way and the right to make the turn, but the other driver crashes into them. Whatever the situation, the impact can be severe because both cars will often be traveling at high speeds.

Running a Stop Sign

T-bone accidents are less likely at four-way stops, but they still happen. The most common T-bone collisions involve one car running a stop sign while the other driver has no traffic control sign. In such a case, it’s easy to determine liability because the driver with the stop sign didn’t obey the traffic rule or have the right of way.

T-Bone Accidents at a Parking Lot

T-bone accidents also happen where there is no intersection, such as at a parking lot. The vehicle crossing the roadway may be at fault because they don’t have the right of way. When leaving a parking lot without a traffic control device, a driver should ensure traffic is clear in both directions.

If they don’t see an oncoming car, they may join the road and cause a T-bone accident or be T-boned as they pull out to cross the street. If you were involved in such an accident, let skilled car accident attorneys in Boston investigate what happened to help you determine liability.

Making a U-Turn Across Traffic

Making a U-turn across traffic is unsafe, and if the driver making the turn fails to see a car coming from the opposite direction, they may get hit from the side as they pull into traffic. In such a case, the driver making the turn will likely be found liable for the accident.

Both Drivers Could Be Liable for a T-Bone Accident

Insurance companies and other parties to the accident could determine that you and the other driver are partially to blame for a T-bone accident. Liability may be apportioned to each of you according to the percentage of fault you contributed to the accident.

Massachusetts’ Negligence Rule under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 231 Section 85 allows a car accident victim’s compensation to be reduced by their percentage of fault in the accident. You may not be eligible for compensation if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault. This is known as the 51% bar rule.

Understanding this rule can be complex, so you should work with skilled personal injury lawyers in Boston to make your case easier. They can help you navigate the complex compensation laws in Massachusetts and fight to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

How Massachusetts No-Fault Rule Could Affect Your Case

Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that regardless of who is at fault, your insurance company will pay for your medical bills and lost wages to a specific limit. This happens under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which is a requirement by law.

However, your Boston T-bone accident attorney can help you sue the other driver if the damages exceed the tort threshold or you sustained certain types of injuries such as fractured bones, loss of vision or hearing, or permanent disfigurement.

Seek Legal Help From an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Boston

Being involved in a T-bone accident can have traumatic and devastating consequences. Sadly, who is at fault and who you should hold liable for your injuries and other damages is not always clear. A skilled car accident lawyer in Boston, MA, can look into your case and hire accident reconstruction experts in complex situations to help determine who was at fault.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, the lawyers may help you file a lawsuit against the negligent party to help you recover compensation. Joel H. Schwartz is a personal injury law firm that provides legal representation for clients with personal injury cases to help them fight for maximum compensation. Call us at 508-850-0342 to schedule a FREE case evaluation.