Why T-Bone Accidents Are So Dangerous

T-bone accidents—also known as broadside or angle collisions—are among the most common types of serious crashes, accounting for nearly 24% of all U.S. collisions in 2020, according to national data. Not only are these accidents exceptionally common, they can also be incredibly dangerous. Because T-bone collisions often involve one vehicle striking the vulnerable side or doors of another, the potential for serious injury can be extremely high in these accidents and lead to long-lasting consequences for multiple involved parties.

If you’ve been injured in a T-bone collision, you likely understand the unique challenges posed by these dangerous collisions. Here is a brief overview of some of what makes T-bone accidents so dangerous and how an experienced personal injury attorney can help T-bone victims fight for compensation following a major collision.

Why are T-Bone accidents dangerous?

The term “T-bone accident” refers to a specific kind of car crash in which the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another at a perpendicular angle (forming a “T” shape). Unlike front-end or rear-end crashes, the sides of most vehicles lack structural reinforcements responsible for absorbing the energy of a crash. That means drivers and passengers on the impacted side of a T-bone accident are often more vulnerable.

Other factors that make T-bone accidents hazardous include:

• High-speed intersections: If one vehicle at an intersection fails to yield or runs a red light or stop sign, a T-bone collision can occur at a high rate of speed, thus increasing the likelihood of severe injury.
• Limited reaction time: The driver being T-boned in these collisions typically has little or no time to maneuver or brace for impact – particularly if the impacted driver had the right of way at the time of the crash or had limited visibility of another vehicle approaching in their blind spot.
• Increased rollover risk: Because of the speed and angle of T-bone crashes, it’s relatively easy for broadside crashes involving SUVs or other high-profile vehicles to lead to a dangerous rollover.
• Multiple points of impact: T-bone crashes can lead to chain reactions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or fixed objects at 4-way stops and busy intersections.

All of these factors contribute to the relatively high risk posed by T-bone accidents. Because these collisions tend to occur in busy intersections and on congested roadways, the potential consequences of these actions can reverberate throughout a victim’s life and create long-term physical, emotional, and financial distress.

Common causes of T-bone crashes

T-bone accidents, like all traffic incidents, can be caused by a variety of different factors. The good news is, the vast majority of T-bone crashes are preventable, as long as motorists exercise their legally mandated duty of care. When this accepted level of care is violated, however, things can take a turn for the worse.

Here are a few examples of crash-contributing behaviors that would likely be considered a violation of a driver’s legal duty of care:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failure to yield at intersections
• Making illegal turns
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Speeding

If a driver engages in any of these behaviors and causes a T-bone accident, they may be found liable for the accident and any harm it might cause. An experienced car accident lawyer can help accident victims build a strong case for liability against the at-fault party by conducting a thorough investigation into all the variables and behaviors that contributed to the crash. With the right combination of information and evidence, accident victims and their families can pursue justice while navigating the recovery process.

Injuries commonly associated with T-bone car accidents

T-bone accident victims frequently suffer serious, life-altering injuries due to the accident conditions outlined above. Some of the most common injuries associated with these collisions include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Bruising
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries

In the worst cases, T-bone accidents can lead to wrongful death. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side-impact crashes were responsible for 22% of all crash fatalities in 2023. Additionally, research consistently demonstrates that the risk of fatality in T-bone crashes increases significantly when crashes involve both a passenger vehicle and a large SUV or truck.

These unfortunate facts underscore the substantial dangers posed by T-bone accidents and highlight how crucial it is for victims of T-bone accidents to seek effective legal support while navigating their post-accident recovery. An experienced T-bone accident attorney can help injured parties and their families pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and costs associated with wrongful death in the most tragic of cases.

What damages are available for T-bone accident claims in Pennsylvania?

The consequences of a serious T-bone accident can extend into nearly every aspect of a victim’s life. Car accident and personal injury claims are typically intended to help victims and their families navigate the conflicting demands of the post-recovery process both immediately after an accident and in the years that follow.

Under Pennsylvania law, victims of car accidents may be within their rights to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Decreased capacity to work
• Mental healthcare
• Rehab and other long-term care costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage

In Pennsylvania, the average payout for a T-bone accident is not subject to a cap on damages, unless the claim is being made against the Commonwealth or another local government. This means victims of T-bone accidents can pursue claims for the full scope of the harm they suffered as the result of their injuries.

Keep in mind that insurance companies may try to minimize your payout. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer ensures your claim includes all damages, not just immediate medical costs. It’s also vital that drivers understand the nuances of Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence system. Under this system, all parties’ contributions to a crash will be assessed and any damages awarded to them in their case will be reduced commensurately with their level of fault (unless the victim is 51% or more at fault, in which case they cannot recover).

This makes it all the more crucial for accident victims to gather as much evidence as possible immediately following a crash to ensure insurance companies don’t try to make unsubstantiated claims of shared liability.

What to do after a T-bone crash

Immediately following a T-bone accident, the first thing you should do is take the necessary steps to ensure your safety. These steps might include (A) contacting law enforcement and emergency medical services, (B) moving your vehicle to a safe location, and (C) rendering emergency aid to anyone who is clearly suffering from severe injuries.

If you are safely able to do so, it’s also important that you take steps to document the scene of the accident and any injuries and/or damages related to the crash. The easiest way to do this is by taking photos or videos of the crash site and anything that might serve as evidence in a future claim.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents that are not investigated by the police have 5 days to submit an accident report to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering if the accident resulted in any of the following:

• Death of a person
• Personal injuries which require medical attention.
• Vehicle damage severe enough to require towing from the scene

It’s worth noting that while accident reports are required by law under these conditions, they can be subjective and are not always admissible in court due to evidentiary rules. They do, however, often play an important role in insurance claims and settlement discussions. An experienced lawyer can help you better understand the nuances of filing a police or accident report and advise you of the role a report might play in an insurance claim or legal action.

Final thoughts

T-bone accidents can be devastating in more ways than one. These notoriously dangerous accidents can have long-term consequences for accident victims and their families ranging from physical injuries to wrongful deaths. If you’ve suffered injuries from a T-bone car accident or are grieving the loss of a loved one as the result of another motorist’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

The experienced team at KBG Injury Law understands the unique challenges associated with T-bone accidents and has spent nearly 40 years helping accident victims across Pennsylvania fight for the compensation they need to move forward after a crash. Give us a call today or fill out our contact form for a free case consultation with a member of the KBG Injury Law team—we’ve helped countless clients across Pennsylvania navigate the legal system following a T-bone crash, and we would love the opportunity to offer you the same support.