A T-bone accident is one of the most dangerous collisions car occupants can encounter on the road. While side airbags can help, the human body simply can’t handle the intense impact of a car hitting right into the passenger area.
What makes it even worse is knowing that a lot of these accidents happen because someone else was simply not paying attention to the road or made a careless choice. You don’t have to deal with all this alone; rather, you can opt for support from a T-bone accident lawyer.
In this article, our legal team breaks down the main reasons why T-bone accidents happen, how you can show that the other driver is at fault, and what damages you can claim.
- What Is a T-Bone Accident?
- Side-Impact and T-Bone Collision Statistics
- Meet our team!
- What Are the Most Common Causes of the T-Bone Accident?
- How to Determine Who’s Responsible in a T-Bone Accident
- T-bone Accident Lawyers Near Me
- Who Can Be at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
- Client Reviews
- What Damages Can Be Recovered in a T-Bone Accident?
- How to Build a Strong T-Bone Accident Case in Massachusetts?
- Contact Our T-Bone Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today!
- 30-Day, Risk-Free Guarantee
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone collision is a type of side-impact collision that happens when one car collides directly with the side of another vehicle, creating a shape that resembles the letter “T.” These vehicle crashes usually take place at intersections when a driver doesn’t stop at a red light or stop sign. It can be extremely dangerous due to the fact that the sides of cars have less structural reinforcement compared to the front and back.
When one car hits another’s side at high speed, it can cause severe damage, like a traumatic brain injury or broken bones, to the people sitting on that side. While modern cars are equipped with specialized side-impact airbags and tougher door beams, T-bone accidents continue to pose risks, and the statistics below prove this point.
Side-Impact and T-Bone Collision Statistics
In 2022, side-impact crashes, which include T-bone accidents, were responsible for 22% of all vehicle-related deaths in 2022. Thus, approximately one in five people who died in car accidents lost their lives in these types of collisions.
Out of those who died in side impacts, over half (54%) were buckled up during the crash. While seat belts are critical for safety, unfortunately, side-impact accidents can still result in fatalities, even if car accident victims were wearing one. You can check out Massachusetts seat belt laws to know the latest updates.
When we look at the specific circumstances of these accidents, it’s clear that a T-bone accident involving multiple vehicles colliding from the side tends to be significantly more lethal than single-car incidents. For every million people, there were seven deaths in accidents involving multiple cars in side impacts. In contrast, there was only one death per million in single-vehicle side-impact collisions.
When it comes to Massachusetts car accident statistics, T-bone accidents made up 23% of car accidents in 2024.
These statistics remind us of the crucial need to remain vigilant and drive defensively. And if such a collision has already happened due to others’ negligence, act defensively to protect the victim’s legal rights and future. The support of a knowledgeable Cambridge personal injury lawyer becomes valuable here.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of the T-Bone Accident?
Let’s explore what commonly leads to a T-bone accident:
- Running red lights or stop signs. People often rush to save a few minutes, which makes them run red lights or ignore stop signs. This can have catastrophic consequences, especially when traffic is heavy.
- Distracted driving. In our connected world, it can be tempting to juggle several tasks while driving. A driver may take their eyes off the road to check a phone, eat, or talk to passengers. This pulls attention away from intersection signals and approaching cars.
- Poor weather conditions. Mother Nature can also create dangerous road situations. Reduced visibility in rain or fog (plus, add slippery roads to the equation) can make it harder for drivers to see what’s coming and react on time.
- Impaired driving. A drink or two (or more) can affect a driver’s sense of speed and the ability to make safe decisions.
- Reckless driving. Aggressive behaviors like speeding through intersections or making rushed turns put everyone at risk. These actions often stem from road rage or running late.
- Mechanical failures. Sometimes, it’s the car that causes problems. A brake failure, a steering issue, or a flat tire can leave drivers powerless when they need control the most.
- Confusing intersection design. Not every intersection is easy to navigate. If the signs are unclear, views are blocked, or traffic flows seem complicated, even experienced drivers can make mistakes that may lead to a T-bone accident.
How to Determine Who’s Responsible in a T-Bone Accident
While the circumstances of a T-bone collision might seem obvious, demonstrating another driver’s liability isn’t as simple. Just sharing your perspective isn’t enough. That’s why what you do right after the T-bone accident matters greatly.
If your condition allows, gather fresh evidence — take pictures of the damaged cars, get the police report, and collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed the T-bone collision. This will help you make your claim stronger after.
Even if you think you could be partially at fault, or if you just feel sorry about what happened, don’t make any statements about your possible fault at the accident scene. An initially kind gesture can negatively affect your T-bone accident case down the line.
Our state follows the Modified Comparative Negligence Rule. This means that even if you’re partly to blame, you can still get financial compensation as long as your responsibility doesn’t exceed 51%. Your payout will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you, but you can still seek compensation. Our T-bone accident lawyer can help you determine the amount of compensation you’re eligible for.
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Who Can Be at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
When we consider a T-bone accident, we often presume that one of the drivers made a mistake. While that’s often the case, multiple parties may share responsibility for a T-bone collision, including those who weren’t directly involved in the crash.
Driver
The driver who broke traffic rules or acted carelessly is usually the one at fault. A moment of inattention can lead to devastating consequences at an intersection.
Vehicle Manufacturer
Vehicle manufacturers can also be held accountable if a flaw in their product contributed to the accident. Defective brakes that fail to halt the car, malfunctioning steering systems, or tires that unexpectedly blow out can all lead to a T-bone accident. In these situations, the manufacturer might be held responsible for putting a risky product on the roads.
Government Entities
Badly designed intersections with blind spots, broken traffic signals, absent stop signs, or poor lighting can create dangerous situations that lead to a T-bone collision. If road problems or lack of maintenance help cause an accident, the city, county, or state agency responsible for that area might be found liable.
Every party involved can add a layer of complexity to the case. That’s why T-bone accident claims require a thorough investigation and help from an experienced T-bone accident lawyer to identify all the potentially responsible parties. This is critical, as the results of the investigation determine the accident settlement amount you can get and your next legal steps.
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I really liked that I was always able to reach my lawyers and it wasnt extremely difficult to do so. They kept me informed and were always readily available to answer any of the questions I did have. I had a great experience and felt very personable with my lawyers and as though they represented me very well!
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What Damages Can Be Recovered in a T-Bone Accident?
Massachusetts law allows accident victims to get compensation for various damages:
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Current and future medical expenses
This covers emergency care for serious injuries, like a concussion, fractured bones, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, and rehabilitation. Even after you’ve dealt with the immediate treatment, you might need ongoing care like regular check-ups or mental health support to cope with the trauma received in a T-bone accident.
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Lost wages
If your injuries sustained in a T-bone crash have impacted your earning capacity, you can claim for lost income. This includes not only paychecks you’ve already lost but also considers future earnings you might lose.
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Property damage
Besides your car repair or replacement, this covers any personal belongings that were damaged in the crash. Plus, it can cover rental car costs while your vehicle is being repaired.
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Pain and suffering
These damages are about both physical and mental pain, as well as loss of enjoyment in life. If the T-bone accident affected your relationships with loved ones or your ability to enjoy daily life, this can be part of your T-bone accident claim.
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Out-of-pocket expenses
Many unexpected costs can pop up after an accident. For example, transportation to a hospital, necessary home modifications, or in-home care services.
Thus, keep all your receipts for anything related to the accident since you might be able to get that money back. The actual amount you’re entitled to recover will depend on the details of your case, particularly the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. A reputable T-bone accident lawyer in Massachusetts can estimate the fairest amount in your particular case.
How to Build a Strong T-Bone Accident Case in Massachusetts?
In the world of car accidents, proving that someone was careless comes down to solid proof and knowledge of the traffic laws in Massachusetts. You need to show exactly what went wrong and how the other driver’s actions caused your physical injuries and other losses. Here’s what you should do:
- Gather evidence at the scene. As we’ve mentioned, this step includes taking photos of vehicle damage and tire marks on the road and collecting contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Obtain the police report. Police officers will note important details about the accident, such as other driver’s statements, any traffic rules broken, and road conditions. Their unbiased account carries a lot of weight.
- Document your injuries. Medical records are the link between the crash and your injuries. You should document all your doctor visits, treatments, and how you’re coping daily with your injuries.
- Establish traffic law violations. You should also show that the other driver didn’t follow traffic laws. You can use traffic camera footage, witness accounts, and the police report to back this up.
- Hire an experienced T-bone accident lawyer. It can be hard to handle all of this on your own, especially while you’re dealing with the accident’s consequences. A knowledgeable T-bone accident lawyer knows exactly what proof you need for your personal injury lawsuit. They can gather extra evidence, work with accident experts, and build a solid case while you focus on healing.
Contact Our T-Bone Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today!
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a T-bone accident in Massachusetts, Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers are here to prove the other party’s liability and help you get the maximum compensation. We’ve helped countless victims of a T-bone accident, and our track record of recent settlements speaks for itself.
While our law firm fights aggressively against insurance companies and an opposing personal injury attorney, we make sure to treat our clients with compassion. Accidents don’t wait for a good time, and questions may appear at all hours. That’s why our clients can reach out to us 24/7.
The first step is to contact our team for a free T-bone accident case evaluation.
