Imagine you’re driving through Torrance, California, the sun dipping low, casting long shadows across the streets, when suddenly, out of nowhere, one car slams into the side of your vehicle, creating a ‘T’ shape with the two cars. This type of collision, commonly known as a T-bone accident, not only leaves your head spinning but also raises a pressing question: who’s at fault?
T-bone accidents, also called side-impact collisions, occur when one vehicle strikes another from the side at a perpendicular angle. Being T-boned is particularly dangerous because it often results in serious injuries due to the lack of protection on the sides of vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 5,000 people die each year in T-bone accidents.
So who is responsible for this type of car accident? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think. This blog will explore the different factors that can cause a T-bone accident and determine who is at fault.
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Why T-Bone Accident Cases Usually Happen: Common Causes
T-bone accidents usually happen when one vehicle strikes the side of another, often at intersections. Side impact accidents can result from various scenarios, such as when a driver runs a red light or stop sign, makes an ill-timed left turn, or fails to yield to oncoming traffic.
The force of these crashes can cause significant injuries to passengers, especially those seated on the side of the impact, due to the limited space and protection on the sides of most vehicles.
Other T-bone accident causes can include reckless driving, distracted driving, and poor weather conditions. In some cases, these can even be caused by faulty traffic signals or roads that are poorly designed or maintained.
Determining Fault for a T-Bone Car Accident
In Torrance, as with the rest of California, determining fault in a T-bone car crash in Torrance involves understanding the traffic laws and the actions of each driver at the time of the accident. The key question is: who had the right of way?
Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
If a driver enters an intersection against a red traffic light or without stopping at a stop sign, they’re typically found at fault for failing to obey traffic signals.
Failure to Yield Right of Way
When making a left turn, drivers are expected to yield to oncoming traffic. A driver who turns left and causes a T-bone collision with another vehicle is often held responsible for not yielding the right of way.
Speeding
A driver exceeding the speed limit might be unable to stop in time at an intersection, contributing to the crash. Speeding can complicate fault determination, as it may shift partial blame to an otherwise non-at-fault driver.
The Role of Evidence in a T-Bone a Car Crash in Torrance
Evidence plays a crucial role in piecing together the moments leading up to a T-bone crash. This can include:
- Traffic Camera Footage: Many intersections in Torrance are equipped with cameras that can provide clear evidence of which driver violated traffic laws.
- Eyewitness Testimonies: Bystanders or other drivers who witnessed the side impact can offer valuable perspectives on the sequence of events.
- Vehicle Damage: The location and extent of damage on each vehicle can offer clues about the crash dynamics.
- Police Reports: Law enforcement officers responding to the scene will compile a report that includes their assessment of fault, which can be critical in insurance and legal proceedings.
Comparative Negligence and Shared Fault in a T-Bone Accident
California’s comparative negligence law acknowledges that more than one party can be at fault in a car accident.
In T-bone collisions, this means that both drivers’ actions are scrutinized, and fault can be apportioned accordingly. For instance, if one driver was speeding but the other ran a red light, both drivers may share the blame, affecting the compensation each party can recover.
Insurance Companies and Personal Injury Claims
After a T-bone crash, each driver’s insurance company will conduct its investigation to prove fault based on the available evidence and the specifics of the incident. Note that insurance adjusters have their companies’ interests in mind, which can sometimes lead to disputes over fault and compensation.
T-bone accident injuries can be serious and might not even manifest immediately after the impact, especially with brain injuries. Without the medical documentation needed to establish responsibility for the accident injuries and damages, victims run the risk of getting very low compensation or even nothing at all.
Why Having an Injury Lawyer Matters in T-Bone Crash Cases
Given the challenges involved in proving fault in a T-bone car accident case, seeking legal assistance is a wise decision.
A skilled car accident lawyer in Torrance can help gather and present evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent your interests in court. Legal support is crucial if you’ve sustained injuries. A car accident attorney can help ensure you receive fair financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Injured in a T-Bone Car Crash in Torrance? Work With a Trusted Auto Accident Attorney to Maximize Your T-Bone Accident Settlement.
T-bone crashes bring up critical questions about fault, responsibility, and safety. Establishing fault involves a thorough examination of traffic laws, driver actions, and evidence from the scene. In the wake of such a traffic accident, you should know what your legal options are.
If you were hurt in a T-bone car wreck that wasn’t your fault, trust the Torrance auto accident lawyers at RTM Law Firm to fight for you. We have helped countless accident victims receive fair and full compensation for their injuries, and we can do the same for you.
Call our Torrance personal injury lawyers at (424) 999-7553.
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