T-bone accidents can leave victims with devastating injuries.
Understandably, you want to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
However, determining T-bone accident fault is rarely straightforward.
Rather than try to pursue a claim independently, get legal assistance.
Speak with an experienced Colorado car accident lawyer at Tenge Law Firm who can answer all your questions regarding who is at fault in a car accident.
T-bone collision claims can be complicated. You need a skilled legal advocate on your side.
How T-Bone Accidents Occur
T-bone accidents happen when one vehicle’s front end strikes the side of another vehicle as opposed to a rear-end collision.
The name comes from the impact forming a “T” at the collision points on the cars. While they commonly occur at intersections, there are plenty of T-bone accidents that happen elsewhere.
If one driver disregards a stop sign or a red light, they would likely be at fault.
T-bone collisions can occur in parking lots as one driver backs out of a parking space or when one driver loses control and skids sideways.
I Was in a T-Bone Accident. Who Is Fault?
Fault for a T-bone accident will vary in every collision. You cannot accurately determine fault by researching blog posts online.
Many assume the driver who collided with the vehicle’s side is responsible. However, every accident is different.
The facts of your accident will determine who is liable. Fault in your accident won’t be the same for other T-bone accidents.
The driver who failed to yield to the driver with the legal right-of-way is usually the responsible party.
It’s also possible that more than one driver shares responsibility.
That is why you need to speak with an experienced Colorado car accident lawyer. Potentially liable parties include the following.
The Other Driver
The driver at the top or bottom of the “T” could be liable. If you have a green light and are struck on the side, the driver at the bottom of the “T” would be responsible.
If you have a green light and hit another vehicle on the side that ran a red light, the driver at the top of the “T” would be liable.
Both drivers in a T-bone accident will likely blame the other, which is why you need a thorough liability investigation.
A Third Driver
It’s possible that a completely different vehicle caused the collision.
Perhaps this driver made an illegal move that caused someone else to swerve to avoid a collision and hit another vehicle.
The driver who made the illegal move and started this chain reaction could be at fault. Unfortunately, many at-fault drivers in this situation flee the scene.
Sometimes they leave because they did not know an accident occurred. However, they often go because they know they have some legal liability.
Vehicle Manufacturer
In some cases, a faulty vehicle component can contribute to the accident. A typical example is a vehicle with defective brakes that kept the driver from stopping.
In this situation, the vehicle manufacturer, the brakes manufacturer, the mechanic, or the repair shop could share responsibility.
Determining T-Bone Car Accident Fault
Proving liability in a car accident requires evidence of fault, regardless of whether it’s a T-bone crash, a rear-end collision or some other accident.
You will not receive compensation for your injuries without proof that you did not cause the crash.
However, Colorado has a law called modified comparative negligence.
The theory of comparative negligence means you could be a percentage at fault and still be entitled to receive some compensation.
However, if you have 50% or more T-bone accident fault, the law precludes you from receiving any money.
To successfully demonstrate another party is at fault, you must demonstrate all the elements of negligence:
- The other party owed you a legal duty;
- The other party breached their legal duty;
- This breach of duty caused your injuries; and
- You suffered damages.
Failure to prove even one of these elements means you won’t have a successful liability argument.
You must verify that the other party caused your injuries and that your injuries are specifically related to this accident.
Contact a Colorado Car Accident Lawyer
If you sustained injuries in a T-bone accident, contact a Colorado car accident lawyer at Tenge Law Firm.
Unlike some personal injury firms, we don’t believe in taking on a high volume of cases to settle them quickly.
You won’t be just another case file in our system. We strive always to provide top-notch legal services for every client.
Don’t attempt to determine the T-bone accident fault on your own. Let our skilled legal team assist you when you need it most.
Contact Tenge Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.
