What is a Broadside Collision?
A broadside collision is a two-vehicle accident in which the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another. Broadside collisions most commonly occur at intersections when one of the vehicles fails to yield the right of way at a stop sign, red traffic signal, or yield sign. They may also occur when a vehicle is turning across traffic and fails to yield the right of way. They are also called T-bone collisions because the two vehicles form a T-shape upon impact.
Who is at Fault in a Broadside Collision?
In a broadside collision, the party at fault is typically the one with a duty to yield the right-of-way who failed to do so. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine who had the right-of-way. If you were broadsided because of another driver’s negligence, you may have legal options to recover medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Call Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. today for a free consultation to learn your rights. (713) 932-0777. We charge you no expenses and no attorney fees unless we make a recovery.
Why Choose Simmons and Fletcher for Your T-Bone Accident?
Since 1979, Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. has helped hundreds of car accident victims each year recover compensation for their injuries. 80% of our practice involves car wrecks. But more importantly than handling your wreck, Simmons and Fletcher is a law firm committed to serving our clients like family. When we call an adjuster, speak to a Judge, discuss a matter with opposing counsel, or talk to our own clients, we do it with honesty and integrity. Why? Because when we represent you, we reflect you. Who you hire sends a message to others about who you are. Call us today to discuss your case for free at 713-932-0777.
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What Does it Mean to be T-Boned?
A car T-bones a truck in an intersection with heavy traffic around.
Being T-boned, or Broadsided, means a car accident in which the front end of a vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. These tend to cause a far more severe impact than sideswipe accidents where cars hit side-to-side. T-bone accidents can be extremely dangerous and even deadly for the vehicle occupants–particularly the ones in the car that receive the side impact. These collisions cause a side-to-side whipping motion in the occupant that differs greatly from the acceleration-deceleration motion caused by a rear-end or head-on collision. This side-to-side motion can cause the driver’s and/or passengers’ heads to strike the door, windows, or pillars. This type of impact can easily produce head injuries ranging from lacerations and bruises to brain injuries, skull fractures, and concussions. Many modern vehicle manufacturers have reduced this risk by incorporating side-impact or side-curtain airbags.
Liability for Broadside Accidents
How Broadside Accidents Happen
Broadside accidents can happen in many ways and places. Some of the most common side-impact collisions we see are as follows:
- T-bone accidents at the ends of aisles in parking lots,
- T-bone collisions at an intersection when a driver runs a red light and hits you,
- T-bone collisions at an intersection where one driver is entering on a green light and another driver runs a red light, causing the vehicle to strike them.
- T-bone collisions between a car leaving a parking lot or private drive and a car in the roadway,
- T-bone accidents, where a car is making a left turn across traffic,
Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lot T-bone accidents typically happen at the ends of aisles or when vehicles cross aisles and can be the fault of either driver or both. All drivers have a duty to keep a proper lookout in parking lots. Any driver who fails to keep a proper lookout may be deemed at fault. This is often open to debate and may have to be resolved by a jury. Often, police will not issue tickets or even investigate a collision in a private parking lot, leaving drivers to sort it out. So, if you are injured in a parking lot T-bone accident, consult a car accident attorney to determine whether you have a case.
Intersection T-bone Collisions
If there is a traffic control signal light and witnesses can say who ran the red light or stop sign, the person who failed to stop is at fault for the intersection wreck. However, when both parties are claiming green lights, and there are no witnesses, or when there is a 4-way stop, these cases may become swearing matches, and a jury must determine fault. It may be one or both drivers ultimately held at fault. Contact the police immediately and get a report documenting that you had the right-of-way whenever possible, to prevent people from later changing their story and leaving you with no proof otherwise.
Who Has the Right-of-Way When Entering the Roadway?
Under Texas Law, a car entering a roadway from a private drive must yield the right-of-way to any approaching vehicle. Thus, the approaching vehicle on the highway has the right-of-way. A vehicle may not enter the roadway unless the nearest approaching vehicle is sufficiently far away that it can be done so safely. While this goes a long way toward establishing the negligence of the vehicle pulling into the roadway, it does not, however, relieve the oncoming motorist of his duty to maintain a proper lookout and to slow down to avoid a collision whenever it is safe and possible to do so. Thus, while liability may seem clear, there is room for argument. Having a broadside accident lawyer fight for you may make a difference in a case like this.
Broadside Collisions from Left Turns Across Traffic
Broadside collisions caused by a car turning left across traffic typically result from the turning vehicle’s failure to maintain a proper lookout and yield the right-of-way. Under Texas law, a vehicle turning may not move from its lane unless it is safe to make the turning movement. The turning driver has a duty to yield the right-of-way to approaching vehicles. Again, while this goes a long way toward establishing the turning vehicle’s negligence, the oncoming driver is not relieved of his duty to maintain a proper lookout and make efforts to slow and/or avoid a collision where it is safe and possible to do so. So just because the law favors the non-turning motorist doesn’t mean the insurance company will always roll over and pay without a fight.
Related Resources
- How Do T-Bone Accidents Happen? Get a better understanding of how these wrecks occur.
- Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims: Understand how you can get compensation when one or more drivers don’t have coverage.
- What Constitutes a Minor Impact Collision: Discover how minor accidents can still cause significant injuries and damages
- Houston Highway Crash Attorney: Get legal help for serious highway accidents involving high-speed collisions.
Talk to a Lawyer for Free
If you have been the victim of a side-impact car accident, don’t wait until the insurance company victimizes you a second time to seek legal advice. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. offers free consultations regarding your automobile accident. If you hire us as your attorneys, we front the legal expenses, and we don’t charge you a dime unless we recover for you. Call today: (713) 932-0777.
FAQ's
What is a broadside (T-bone) collision?
A broadside collision happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a T-shape on impact. These crashes most often occur at intersections when a driver fails to yield at a stop sign, red light, or yield sign, or while turning across traffic.
Who is usually at fault in a T-bone accident?
Fault typically falls on the driver who had a duty to yield the right-of-way and failed to do so. That said, determining who actually had the right-of-way isn’t always straightforward, especially without witnesses or a clear traffic signal violation.
Who has the right-of-way when a car is entering the roadway from a driveway or parking lot?
Under Texas law, a vehicle entering a roadway from a private drive must yield to approaching traffic already on the highway. However, the approaching driver still has a duty to keep a proper lookout and slow down or avoid the collision if it’s safe to do so — so liability can still be contested.
Who is at fault when a broadside collision happens because of a left turn?
The turning driver generally must yield to oncoming traffic and may not turn unless it’s safe to do so. But as with other right-of-way situations, the non-turning driver must still maintain a proper lookout, so insurance companies may still dispute fault rather than pay out automatically.
What injuries are common in T-bone accidents, and why are they so dangerous?
Broadside collisions cause a side-to-side whipping motion that’s different from the front-to-back motion in rear-end or head-on crashes, often causing occupants’ heads to strike doors, windows, or pillars. This can result in lacerations, concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries.
