If a traffic accident involves ‘T-bones’ of one vehicle over another, it’s not easy to find out who was actually responsible for the crash.
T-bone traffic accidents are also known as side impact collisions. These can take place in different traffic conditions. Depending on the situations, either of the drivers, who broadsided or was broadsided, might be at fault for the mishap.
Let us explain the scenario with an example. You were driving through a crossing on a green light and another party (other driver) hit your car on the driver’s side after blowing through a red light. Another example is you may be driving your car through a different crossing and other car suddenly comes in front of you on a left turn and as a result, you ended up hitting the other car on the passenger side. In either case, the other party may be at fault but it is never easy to prove your innocence.
T-Bone Collisions Can Be Dangerous
Side Impact or T-Bone collisions are uniquely severe. If a vehicle collides with the front or back of your vehicle, you may be protected by a feet of bumper, engine, seats, trunk and steel. But if a vehicle T-bones your car, there is only a window and a door (and sometimes, a passenger seat)to safeguard you. It may lead to dangerous consequences such as, injuries or even death of passengers or a driver.
In the USA, side impact collisions cause death to 8, 500-10, 000 persons every year. All cars sold across the United States are obliged to fulfil certain standards related to federal side-impact safety. However, the makers are increasing weight of the average vehicles and that along with the age of these safety standards has raised an impertinent question if these standards are safe enough.
Proving Faults in T-Bone Traffic Accidents
Driver’s fault is sometimes obvious depending on how the mishap happened. The at-fault party may even admit his/her fault. But in the most common types of T-Bone accidents, the other driver often claims that he/she was driving through the right way and alleges that you were liable for the accident.
It Starts at the Accident Site
If you have been involved in a side impact car accident, the first thought that strikes your mind is what to do next. Make sure to call the police, collect contact details from witnesses (if any was present at the site) and if possible, take photos of the scene and damages to your car. It is important not to admit your liability to the other party.
Traffic Signals
Depending on the type of the accident, traffic signal is likely to be an important question. To prove your innocence, you should take a note of the time when the collision happened. In some circumstances, it is possible to compare the time to the automated programming of the traffic signal. Though it is not surefire tool, still it may help a lot in some cases.
Vehicle Defects
A common complication in these accidents involves different manifestations of defective vehicle parts. The driver may have taken the wrong side due to brake failure but it may be the manufacturer’s fault or driver’s failure of routine maintenance. In such a case, you may demand that the manufacturer should take some responsibility for the collision or severity of your injury and property damage.
