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Who’s At Fault in a T-Bone Accident? Determining Liability
T-bone crashes hit hard and fast, and the injuries can be life-changing. If you were broadsided at an intersection or clipped while someone turned across your lane, you are probably wondering who is responsible and how to prove it.
At Shlosman Law Firm, a New Orleans personal injury team, we help individuals rebuild after serious accidents and deal with the challenges of insurance companies’ pushback. This article explains how fault gets sorted in side-impact collisions and what steps help your claim. It is educational, not legal advice.
What is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another, forming a “T.” You might also hear it called a side-impact or broadside collision. Intersections are the most common sites of these crashes, but they can also occur in parking lots and on busy highways when a car spins or slides sideways out of control.
The side of a car has far less structure than the front or rear. That thinner protection, even with side airbags, makes these wrecks dangerous for drivers and passengers seated on the hit side.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
Most of these collisions start with a split-second mistake, a missed signal, or a rushed decision. Here are frequent triggers we see on Louisiana roads:
- Running red lights or rolling through stop signs
- Turning left across oncoming traffic without a safe gap
- Speeding or illegal turns at intersections
- Distraction from phones, screens, or in-car controls
- Impairment from alcohol or drugs
- Limited line of sight from buildings, trees, or parked vehicles
Each cause points to a behavior or condition that can be proven with the right evidence, which we cover below.
Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way
This is the number one cause. Drivers who enter an intersection against a red signal or ignore a stop sign often set up a broadside crash. Left turns across traffic are also risky if the driver misjudges speed or distance.
Traffic Law Violations
Speeding, illegal U-turns, and rolling stops shrink reaction time and expand the danger zone. A few extra miles per hour can turn a near miss into a hard side strike.
Distracted Driving
Texting, tapping a screen, or even reaching for a drink pulls eyes and attention away at the worst moment. At intersections, seconds matter, and distraction steals those seconds.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drugs slow reactions and blur judgment. Those delays are a significant factor in intersection errors and late braking, which can result in T-bone collisions.
Obstructed Views
Buildings, large SUVs, vegetation, and parked delivery trucks can block sightlines. When drivers creep out too fast from a blind corner, the side of one vehicle ends up in the path of another.
Even when one factor stands out, fault can involve more than one mistake. That is where careful investigation matters.
Determining Fault in a T-Bone Accident
Fault turns on the rules of the road and proof. Investigators, insurers, and sometimes juries look at who had the right of way, whether traffic laws were followed, and what the physical and digital evidence reveals.
Right-of-Way
The driver who fails to yield the right of way is usually at fault. Signals, stop signs, flashing lights, and lane markings decide who goes first. If a driver enters on a red light, ignores a stop sign, or turns left without a safe gap, liability tends to follow.
Evidence Gathering
Strong claims are established early, supported by clear and documented evidence. If you are safe and able, collect what you can, then follow up soon after.
- Photograph vehicle positions, skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries from several angles.
- Get names and contact details for witnesses, along with brief statements if they are willing to provide them.
- Request nearby video, such as traffic cams or business security footage, before it is overwritten.
- Obtain the police report and review any listed violations or diagrams.
Keep medical records, receipts, and repair estimates in one place. A clean paper trail helps link the crash to your losses.
Comparative Fault
Louisiana follows comparative fault. Each driver can receive a percentage of responsibility, and your compensation is reduced accordingly. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault, your award is reduced by that same 20 percent.
This system still allows recovery even if the fault is shared, which is common at busy intersections with competing stories from drivers and witnesses.
| Evidence | What It Can Show | Where to Find It |
| Signal timing data or traffic video | Who had green or red, a sequence of lights | City traffic systems, nearby businesses |
| Vehicle damage patterns | Angle of impact and point of contact | Crash photos, repair estimates |
| Skid marks and debris field | Speed, last-second braking, collision point | Scene photos taken right after the crash |
| Witness statements | Right-of-way, signal color, driver behavior | On-scene interviews, follow-up calls |
| Police report | Citations, diagrams, and initial findings | Local agency records request |
When evidence is thin or disputed, accident reconstruction and expert input can help fill the gaps and clarify the sequence of events.
Potentially Liable Parties in a T-Bone Accident
Responsibility can extend past the two drivers. Investigations look for every contributing factor, not just who struck whom.
The Drivers Involved
The driver who violates traffic rules or fails to yield is generally responsible for damages. If both contributed, each can be held accountable for a percentage of fault under Louisiana law.
Vehicle Manufacturer
If a defective part helped cause the crash, such as brake failure or a stuck accelerator, the manufacturer can be held liable. Product liability rules enable individuals who have been injured due to a dangerous defect to pursue recovery.
Other Negligent Parties
Sometimes a faulty traffic light, a missing sign, or a confusing construction setup plays a part. A public agency or a road contractor may share liability if their mistakes contributed to the collision.
Common Injuries in T-Bone Accidents
Side impacts create powerful forces on the body, especially for those seated on the struck side. These are injuries we often see after broadside collisions:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries, from concussion to severe TBI
- Burns
Get checked quickly, even if symptoms feel mild. Some conditions initially appear to be hidden, then worsen over several days.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
After medical care, a consultation with a car accident lawyer should be high on your list. An attorney can collect key evidence, speak with witnesses, and secure video that can disappear quickly. They also handle insurers, push for fair offers, and take your case to court if needed.
Your legal team can calculate current and future losses, such as continued treatment or reduced income. That full picture keeps you from settling for less than your claim is worth.
Get the Help You Need After a T-Bone Accident
At Shlosman Law Firm, we work hard for crash victims across New Orleans, and we do not back down from insurers that try to shortchange our clients.
If you have questions about your side-impact collision, call us at 504-826-9427, email info@shlosmanlaw.com, or reach us through our website. We welcome your questions and will walk you through the practical next steps. Our firm is dedicated to achieving strong results for individuals injured in T-bone crashes and their families.