Determining Liability in a T-Bone Collision
When a T-bone car accident happens, one vehicle drives head-on into another either the driver’s or the passenger’s side of another vehicle. The way that the vehicles are positioned in this type of accident resembles the shape of the letter “T.” T-bone accidents can happen for many reasons, and the Insurance Insitute of Highway Safety indicates that these accidents, also called side impact accidents, resulted in 23% of all deaths from car accidents in 2019. This statistic included both the passengers and drivers involved in fatal car crashes that year.
If you were in a T-bone accident, you may be unsure as to what your rights are and who is liable for your injuries and damages. After seeking medical treatment, you may benefit from coming in to see one of the experienced Tampa car accident attorneys at Fulgencio Law. During your free consultation, an attorney at Fulgencio Law can evaluate your accident and advise you of your legal options to secure monetary compensation for your losses.
Who is at Fault After a T-Bone Accident?
Due to Florida’s insurance laws, a victim of a car accident must first connect with their own insurance provider for financial assistance with medical expenses. This is because Florida is a no-fault insurance state. When their damages are severe and the costs exceed what their insurance covers, only then can a victim seek to file a claim against another party’s insurance.
Often in a T-bone crash, those who are on the side of the impact take on the brunt of the harm, though anyone in the car can be hurt in one of these accidents. If there is more than just the driver in the vehicle at the time of a T-bone collision, more than one person can sustain damages.
T-bone accidents are not cut-and-dry events. Depending on the situation, various reasons may have caused the accident and thus, liable parties can also be diverse. Consider the following:
- A driver may have been negligent in their driving behavior and caused the crash. For example, they may have been speeding through an intersection, running a red light, or not paying attention to the road when the crash happened.
- The road design was unsafe and defective. Here, potentially, a sign was missing that would have directed drivers as to what to do, or the actual layout of the road was confusing and not intuitive for drivers. The local or state government could be liable for these mistakes. Maybe a contracted company involved in road construction could be found to have fault.
- Drivers losing control of their vehicles could be the fault of a repair shop that did poor work or the car’s manufacturer where there was a defect in design or in a part.
Speak with a Florida Car Accident Attorney Today
The scenarios above are just a sampling of the different ways that a T-bone accident can happen and where liability may fall. For more accurate information regarding liability after a car accident, it is best to take your case to a legal professional that knows how to examine such situations.
Call Fulgencio Law today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident experience with a Tampa personal injury attorney at (813) 463-0123.
