Who Is At Fault for a T Bone Accident In Coral Springs?
Did you or a loved one have a T-bone accident in Coral Springs, Florida? We can help you determine who is at fault and therefore responsible for your injury and damages.
T-bone accidents, also called broadside, angle, or side-impact collisions, are among the deadliest types of car accidents. They often occur at high speed, usually because one driver fails to yield right of way or is driving dangerously.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
T-bone accidents are technically part of angle collisions and occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents mostly happen at intersections, the key being that the two cars are traveling almost perpendicularly to each other.
Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that angled collisions make up 18.2% of total fatal crashes. T-bone collisions are so deadly because there is very little metal and glass to protect the passengers, unlike head-on collisions where you have the engine bay and bonnet.
These accidents also tend to occur at high speed because one driver violated the right-of-way of another driver.
Determining Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident
Liability for a T-bone accident is rarely straight-forward. Unless the other driver admits liability or were clearly at fault (such as running a red light), most drivers will claim that they had the right-of-way. They will say that the car just came from nowhere and cut in front of them.
The scene of the accident is the most important source of evidence when it comes to T-bone collisions. Evidence about road conditions, traffic lights, road markings, and statements by witnesses will be critical.
Determining T-bone accident fault isn’t about who T-boned whom. There are several circumstances and causes of T-bone accidents that help lawyers and insurance companies determine who is at fault in broadside collisions.
Failing to Yield the Right-Of-Way
If one vehicle had the right of way, the car that violated that right of way is always held at fault. Traffic rules, traffic lights, and the circumstances of the accidents will be used to determine who had the right of way at the time of the accident since it will usually be disputed by both parties.
Running a Stop Sign or Red Light
When one driver was supposed to stop and they didn’t, the two cars will be traveling almost perpendicularly to each other and cross paths. These kinds of accidents are especially deadly since the cars are likely traveling at high speeds.
The driver that had the stop sign or red light and failed to obey is almost always held at fault in a T-bone accident.
Driver Turning Left
The driver who was T-boned can also be liable for the accident. In an intersection, left turns are only allowed if:
- The driver came to a complete stop and signaled before making the turn.
- The driver checks oncoming traffic to make sure that the road is clear.
- In most states, the driver shouldn’t enter into the right lane after turning.
- There is no sign to prohibit the turn
- The driver yields to bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
In this case, the driver making a left turn will be fully or mostly responsible for the accident.
Filing a Claim for a T-Bone Accident
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, which means that your own insurance should cover injuries and damages in the case of a car accident. That’s why minimum car insurance requirements include personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL).
However, personal insurance has its limits, especially in severe accidents such as T-bone accidents that can cause serious injuries. You can sue the other driver, insurer, or a third-party for pain and suffering caused by the accident.
However, your lawsuit has to meet certain minimum legal requirements, including the threshold for a “serious injury”. You also need sufficient evidence to prove that the other party was at fault because Florida recognizes pure comparative negligence.
Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence means that the injured party can only collect damages proportional to the percentage of fault of the offending party. You need to prove that the other party was mostly or completely at fault for the accident.
How a Lawyer Can Help
When filing a claim for a T-bone accident in Coral Springs, Florida, you will need an experienced car accident lawyer. The attorney will help you to prove that your lawsuit meets the minimum threshold to step outside the no-fault system.
Secondly, you need an attorney to collect and present irrefutable evidence to help you win the case. That includes witness statements, expert witnesses, photographic and video evidence, and many more.
Third parties and their insurers will fight hard to disprove your claim or make sure you get awarded the least damages possible. If you or a loved one had a T-bone accident here in Coral Springs, call us for your free consultation and let’s get started.