Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident?
T-bone accidents could lead to severe injuries, sometimes even death. According to the New Jersey state police, in a single year, there are around 400 fatalities that result from a car accident. Most car accidents in New Jersey occur at or near intersections. T-bone accidents are likely to take place at intersections because of the position of impact.
If you have been a victim of a t-bone accident, you may be able to hold the responsible party liable for damages. T-bone accidents could lead to various expenses, such as medical bills or property damage. Under New Jersey law, accident victims can hold negligent parties accountable for their injuries from t-bone accidents. However, t-bone accidents can become complex when multiple parties are involved or the negligent party denies liability. This is where an experienced Freehold car accident attorney comes in.
What Is a T-Bone Collision?
A T-bone collision, also known as a side impact collision, occurs when two vehicles collide. The front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. T-bone accidents are considered to be one of the most dangerous types of impacts, and they could lead to injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.
T-bone collisions could be dangerous since cars usually do not have side airbags. The side airbag may not even go off in a T-bone accident, leaving the driver or passenger with no protection during a collision.
Why Does Determining Fault Matter In a T-Bone Accident?
After an accident, it is very important to determine the responsible party to get compensation. Whether you are filing a claim with your insurance company or a lawsuit against the other party, determining who the responsible party is could help you get the compensation you need to proceed.
When Is the Driver Responsible for a T-Bone Accident?
There are specific cases where t-bone accidents are most likely to happen.
Some examples include:
- When a driver fails to yield the right of way to other oncoming vehicles or passengers, they may collide with other vehicles at an intersection.
- When drivers run a red light, they could collide with another vehicle with the right to enter the intersection at a green light.
- Distracted drivers may not be alert as they approach an intersection, may run a red light, and may collide with other vehicles.
Any of the above examples could lead to a T-bone accident. In the above examples, determining liability is very straightforward. However, having the evidence to prove that the other driver was negligent could be a bit tricky.
What if Both Drivers Were Responsible for the T-Bone Accident?
Sometimes, both parties may be responsible for causing the T-bone accident. For example, if both parties ran a red light and collided, they could share the responsibility for the accident. However, it takes a highly qualified attorney to investigate the circumstances, determine exactly which party was responsible, and provide each party’s liability percentage.
T-Bone Accident Evidence
Critical pieces of evidence could sometimes determine the responsible parties for causing the T-bone accident.
These types of evidence could include:
- Vehicle position after the accident
- Traffic signal timing
- Traffic camera footage
- Business or residential surveillance footage
- Dashcam footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Police report
- Vehicle damage
- Injuries suffered
- Skid marks
Any of the above pieces of evidence could determine who the responsible party is in a T-bone accident.
What Should I Do After A T-Bone Accident?
Below are the steps you should take after a car accident:
- Since t-bone accidents could lead to severe injuries, you should seek medical attention right away. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, should be treated immediately.
- Take photos of the accident location. Since t-bone accidents can get complex, the more photos and videos you have of the accident location, the better it is for your attorney to piece together the accident.
- Get any eyewitness information, including your full name and contact information. Eyewitnesses are crucial in car accident lawsuits, especially for t-bone accidents.
Having a skilled legal team on your side will help ease the process as you focus on your injuries.
An Experienced T-bone Accident Attorney Can Help With Your Claim
Contact an experienced attorney to seek legal representation and collect compensation. A consultation with a personal injury attorney could help you get the necessary damages to move forward with your life.
Contact Our Freehold Car Accident Lawyers at Noonan & McMahon, LLC For a Free Consultation Today
Contact Noonan & McMahon, LLC today or seek help online if you would like to talk to a personal injury lawyer about your potential claim. Your case couldn’t be safer than it is in our hands.
We are motivated to get you what you deserve if you or a loved one experienced injuries in an accident in Freehold, Holmdel, Middletown, Tinton Falls, Neptune, Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, and surrounding areas in Monmouth County, Ocean County, and Southern New Jersey.
Noonan & McMahon, LLC – Freehold Office
35 Court St 1A, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 303 7857
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