Who’s at Fault in a T-Bone Collision?

Could road rage stem from a phobia?

Accelarousal is the phobia that affects drivers whenever they have to slow down, like at a red light. In a road rage study, 50% of participants experienced accelarousal when they had to decelerate.

As researchers learn more about the psychology of drivers, they can search for ways to alleviate problems like road rage. However, since unsafe driving habits still exist, you have to know how to prepare for the aftermath of a car accident.

When dealing with the t-bone collision, how do you determine who is at fault? Read on to learn the top t-bone accident causes.

Who Had the Right of Way?

Determining fault in any collision is always going to be a case-by-case situation. The first question you should ask to determine liability is, who had the right of way?

Let’s say for instance you and another vehicle arrived at a four-way stop. If the other vehicle arrived at the stop before you, they would have them right away. If you hit them because you went out of turn, the majority of the liability would lie with you. Whereas if you arrived first, you would have the right away, therefore making them most at fault if they crashed into you.

Failure to Obey Traffic Signs

Next, if either driver failed to obey a traffic sign or light, they’re most likely at fault for the accident. For example, let’s say you another vehicle broadsides you as you pass through an intersection. Regardless of who arrived at the intersection when, if the other vehicle ran a red light before they hit you, they would be responsible for the accident.

The same line of thinking holds if you were to fail to obey a stop sign. If you roll through a stop sign, and another car broadsides you, you could still be liable for the accident. Even though the other car is the one who hit you, you failed to uphold your responsibility as a driver when you ran the stop sign.

Careless Driving

Next, on our list of t-bone accident causes, let’s talk about speeding. Even if you fail to obey a traffic sign, if the other driver was speeding they could still be held responsible. Speeding is viewed as a type of careless, and even reckless driving behavior.

The speeder in the accident wasn’t thinking of their safety or the safety of others. By ignoring safety standards, a level of negligence is at play, opening the speeder up to a liability lawsuit.

Dealing With Distracted Drivers

Another big factor in determining liability has to do with distracted driving. A driver may appear to be obeying traffic laws and stop signs. However, if their full attention isn’t on the road ahead, they’re feeling to drive in a way that’s considered safe and responsible.

Distracted driving is just as bad as drunk driving. Anytime you take your eyes off the road, you jeopardize both your safety and the safety of those around you. If the other driver was fiddling with the radio or checking their phone when the accident occurred, they could be held liable.

Even if you’re the one who hit the other driver, their distracted driving could have contributed to the crash. Perhaps they stopped suddenly because they were checking their text messages or they were in the wrong lane.

Whatever the case may be, whenever a driver is distracted, insurance adjusters and police are going to want to know. Car accident lawyers will also be interested in documenting any cases of distracted driving.

For example, if in the police report one of the drivers states that they were checking the time when the crash occurred, they could be accused of distracted driving. Lastly, eating and drinking are also examples of distracted driving.

DUIs Contributing to a T-Bone Accident

Do you suspect that the other driver was inebriated? As soon as the responding officers come to the accident scene, you’ll want to let them know you’re suspicions. If the other driver was intoxicated in any way, you can almost guarantee that they’ll be held fully responsible for the accident.

Whenever a DUI is involved, plaintiffs have the opportunity to ask for more damages than usual. On top of seeking out economic damages to help pay for medical bills and lost job wages, DUI cases can also sue for punitive damages.

Punitive damages are a type of punishment. The idea behind punitive damages is that they motivate the defendant to avoid driving drunk or drugged ever again. Punitive damages are most often sought out if a t-bone collision results in a fatality. If you lost a loved one, you’ll want to reach out to a car accident attorney to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What to Do After a T-Bone Collision

No matter how large or small the t-bone collision is, it’s worth your time to seek out a personal injury attorney. Let the car accident attorney know the details of your claim, and ask them if you have a case worth pursuing.

If you’re worried about being able to afford an attorney, don’t be. Most reputable injury lawyers are willing to work on a contingency basis. However, before you even worry about setting up a contingency payment plan, you can just look into getting a free consultation.

During your consultation, you’ll be able to review your case, as well as the best courses of action you can take. Whether you’re the victim of a car accident or think you might be liable, an attorney can help guide you through the process. Don’t assume that just because the police say you’re responsible for the crash that you are. There could be extenuating factors that will cause the other driver to share some of the liability with you.

Staying Safe on the Roads

Recovering after a t-bone collision can be a lengthy process. However, by understanding how liability works, you can help position yourself for a faster recovery. Even if you’re not sure you have a case, you owe it to yourself to seek out a free consultation with an attorney.

In a matter of weeks, you could be receiving a settlement check that will help you pay for your medical expenses, along with the other bills that rack up when a car crash takes place. For more tips, explore more of this site.