Where Do T-Bone Accidents Most Commonly Occur?
T-bone accidents are not uncommon and often result in severe injuries for drivers and passengers. Data indicates that approximately 22% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths were caused by side impact collisions in 2021. Most T-bone, or broadside, accident collisions occur in areas where vehicles cross paths perpendicularly, usually at an intersection type of arrangement.
Intersections and T-Bone Collisions
Intersections are areas where various things happen at once, and they take an immense level of coordination among drivers to navigate successfully. At any given moment, except perhaps when traffic is at the slowest, there will be, at minimum, multiple vehicles approaching an intersection, often coming from different directions. There may be pedestrians looking to cross the road, bicyclists on a bike path waiting to go through an intersection, municipal buses stopping to let passengers on or off, and more.
There are several ways in which T-bone collisions occur at intersections. Perhaps the most obvious way this occurs is by one driver failing to yield the right of way or stop when required by traffic signals or signs. When this occurs, the at-fault driver could slam into the side of a driver with the right-of-way vehicle, or a driver with the right-of-way could slam into the side of the driver who disregarded traffic signs or signals.
Exits From Driveways or Parking Lots
Similar to intersections, entries and exits of driveways and parking lots can lead to significant driving confusion. These are also areas where drivers going in different directions must coordinate entry and exits, and there are also likely to be pedestrians, bicyclists, and others to contend with.
Drivers pulling out of a driveway or leaving a parking lot typically must yield the right of way to those already on a roadway. There may be some exceptions to this, specifically at exit with official traffic signals or signs. However, if a driver fails to yield the right of way or follow traffic signs or signals, the chances of a T-bone collision increase.
The Impact of a T-Bone Collision
Unfortunately, T-bone collisions often result in significant injuries. Studies indicate that occupants on the side impacted by the crash have a higher likelihood of sustaining severe or fatal injuries compared to those on the opposite side of the impact.
Some of the most common injuries sustained as a result of T-bone accidents include:
- Severe soft tissue damage
- Concussions or a more severe traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord trauma
- Whiplash
- Fractured or dislocated bones
T-Bone Accidents and Determining Liability
Individuals harmed in a T-bone collision caused by the actions of another driver should be able to recover compensation for their losses. We encourage any person who sustains injuries or property damage in a T-bone collision to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled car accident lawyer in Sacramento can examine the facts of your case and help you move forward through the insurance claim and, if necessary, a personal injury trial against the at-fault party. Ultimately, the goal is to recover compensation for your medical expenses, any lost wages you incur, property damage losses, and pain and suffering damages.