Who Is At Fault In A T-Bone Car Accident?
May 4, 2023 in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents can be frightening and painful, especially in a T-bone collision. This type of crash occurs when one vehicle hits another at a right angle and often happens at an intersection or parking lot. T-bone accidents can cause serious injuries, such as head trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal bleeding. They can also lead to disputes over who is responsible for the accident and who should pay for the damages.
Below, the experienced personal injury attorneys at SPBMCC discuss who may be at fault in a T-bone car accident.
Understanding Car Accident Law
To determine who is at fault in a T-bone car accident, you must understand the principles of car accident law. Carelessness can come in many shapes, including driving too quickly, texting while driving, disregarding a stop sign, or not allowing someone else the right of way.
The negligent party that causes the accident is usually liable for the damages unless other mitigating circumstances exist. For instance, if the driver who was struck was in the wrong place at the wrong time, they may be partially responsible for the accident. The court may assign a portion of the blame to the driver who was struck and require them to cover some of the damages. Additionally, if the driver who caused the accident was intoxicated or driving recklessly, they may be held to a higher standard of liability. Ultimately, the court will evaluate the evidence to determine who is liable for the accident.
Proving Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident
Determining fault in a car crash is not cut and dry. There are many elements to consider when proving fault in a car accident. For example, the four elements that prove fault in a T-bone car accident include duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty of care refers to the responsibility that all drivers have to obey traffic laws, drive safely, and be aware of their surroundings at all times while a breach of duty means that the defendant failed to meet that duty. Causation is when the breach of duty directly caused the accident. Meanwhile, damages refer to the injuries, pain and suffering, property damage, and financial losses that resulted from the accident. All of these elements must be established to prove fault in a T-bone car accident so hiring an attorney is essential.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer
While it is of the utmost importance that you seek medical care immediately if necessary, if you or someone you know has suffered injuries after a T-bone car accident, you should seek out an attorney for car accident law for a case evaluation as soon as you are safe.
An attorney can help by gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, analyzing the police report, medical records, and other relevant documents, consulting with experts, negotiating with the insurance company, filing a lawsuit on your behalf, and representing you in court or at a settlement conference.
Regarding a T-bone car accident, an attorney can also help you determine who is at fault and how to seek compensation for your damages. Your car accident lawyer will investigate the cause of the accident and work to determine who was at fault to make sure you are fully compensated for the damages you have suffered. They will also negotiate with the other party’s insurance coverage and both insurance companies tomake sure you get the best settlement possible.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the following parties may be liable:
- A driver who runs a red light, a stop sign, or a yield sign
- A driver who fails to signal, check blind spots, or avoid obstacles
- A driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- A driver who is distracted by a phone, a GPS, or a passenger
- A driver who has a defective vehicle, such as faulty brakes or tires
- The entity that maintains the road, such as a city or a state agency
A T-bone car accident can be a complex and stressful experience, but with the help of a skilled auto accident lawyer, you can properly investigate your car accident case, navigate the legal system, and seek justice for your losses.
Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer Today
As a full-service personal injury firm law firm, Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. specialize in all areas of personal injury. Our dedicated litigation teams diligently represent clients, including matters related to 9/11-related illness, personal injury claims, car accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and firefighter law across New York City, Long Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, as well as New Jersey. Contact us today to learn more about our firm or schedule a consultation with an attorney.