If you have been injured in a T-bone crash, our experienced T-bone car accident lawyers can help you determine who is at fault and secure the compensation you deserve.
For more than 65 years, Munley Law has represented a range of personal injury cases and secured favorable verdicts for our clients. With over a billion dollars in settlements won to date and one of our car accident verdicts reaching $20 million, our firm and attorneys have been recognized by some of the legal industry’s leading directories, including the National Board of Trial Advocacy, the Summit Council, the American Association of Justice, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. All five of our firm’s partners hold AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and have been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list.
Our skilled lawyers have the knowledge, experience, and dedication needed to guide you through the aftermath of your accident, file claims on your behalf, and help you to claim maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our car accident attorneys today for expert guidance and support.
What is a T-Bone Car Accident?
A T-bone accident is one in which one vehicle strikes the side of another with its front, thereby forming a “T” shape. This 90-degree angle impact often results in very serious injuries, and if you’ve been injured in a T-bone accident, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.
Unfortunately, these instances are all too common: side impacts accounted for 22% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2023. Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transport for 2024 reported 32,969 angle (T-bone) crashes and 247 deaths, as well as 7,490 sideswipe accidents and 57 related fatalities for that year. T-Bone accidents most often occur in intersections, when vehicles involved either intentionally or accidentally disregard a red light or stop sign, or negligently make a left turn.
Drivers involved in a traffic accident who decide to speed through a yellow light can also cause a T-Bone collision like this. In fact, T-bone accidents can also happen when two cars are heading in the same direction, but the driver of one vehicle loses control, causing their car to travel sideways, resulting in an accident known as a sideswipe.
A T-bone accident may also occur when a driver is pulling out of a parking spot, whether they failed to adequately check their surroundings, or the driver traveling through the lot behind them was being negligent.
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Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Do I Know Who Was At Fault in My T-Bone Car Crash?
One of the Drivers Involved
Like with most accidents, who is at fault in a T-bone accident depends on the specifics of the case. It may be any number of parties, and multiple parties may share responsibility.
In the case of a T-bone accident that occurs at an intersection, the driver at fault tends to be the one who is negligently passing through the intersection when they should not be. For instance, if Driver A is passing through on a green light and Driver B runs a red light and crashes into the side of Driver A, Driver B (forming the bottom of the T) is at fault for the T-Bone accident. If, however, Driver B has the green light but is cut off by Driver A who is running a red, Driver A is now at fault, even though they form the top of the T and are the one who was impacted.
Of course, it’s not always quite that clear in a T-Bone accident. Perhaps the accident occurred at an intersection with stop signs, and there is a debate over who has the right of way.
An investigation will take place to determine fault in these kinds of car accidents. You may also seek out a car accident personal injury attorney who can advise you and guide you through the process of determining fault and receiving proper compensation after a T-Bone collision.
A Third-Party Driver in T-Bone Accidents
When you’re asking “Who’s at fault in a T-Bone accident?” the answer in some cases is that neither of the drivers in the actual T-bone collision are responsible. One driver may swerve to avoid the other driver who is negligently driving, and because of this, end up causing a car accident with a third vehicle. In this case, the driver whose negligent driving caused the other car to swerve, resulting in an accident, is at fault and must remain at the scene until police arrive.
However, this is not a guarantee, especially if their car was not impacted. If this person does leave the scene, you should provide all relevant details to the police so they can properly determine what happened. Be sure to get a copy of the police report as well as documenting any medical attention you receive. You’re also free and encouraged to document the accident scene yourself, including taking down license plate numbers and taking pictures of the scene.
All of these details will be very helpful for your attorney should you need to build a T-Bone accident case.
Non-Driver Negligence
As mentioned previously, it’s also possible that both cars began by traveling in parallel or heading the same direction, and for whatever reason, one driver loses control of their vehicle, resulting in a T-bone accident.
In a case like this, it’s possible the real source of fault lies with the vehicle manufacturer. Perhaps the brakes stuck and prevented the driver from stopping. Or maybe the accelerator was not functioning properly. In many states, in cases like this, injured parties can legally hold vehicle manufacturers responsible.
You should speak to your experienced car accident attorney to determine if this is the best course of action for you. Based on their understanding of the case and their analysis of the investigation, your Munley Law car accident lawyer may advise filing a suit against the car company.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in
compensation for our clients.”
Daniel W. Munley
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect if I’ve Been Injured in a T-Bone Accident?
If you are not able to settle the matter through insurance, you may have to file a personal injury suit with your attorney. They will work with you to assess the extent of your losses as a result of this accident, and aim to win you compensation that covers any and all of the following:
- Lost wages
- Medical costs, including rehabilitation
- Anticipated future medical bills
- Emotional or psychological suffering (perhaps in the form of therapy bills)
- Property damage (potentially including damage to your vehicle and anything inside it that was destroyed and/or damaged)
Why Choose Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Car Accident Lawyers?
T-Bone accidents happen. No one should have to navigate the legal system alone, and if you were injured in a T-bone accident, you could be left with lost wages, medical bills, and headaches from dealing with your insurance company. If you’re asking “Who’s At Fault in a T-Bone Accident?” let an experienced lawyer help.
Our experienced lawyers have won millions in settlements for our clients, including a $6.9 million settlement for a driver crashed into by a garbage truck, and a $4.4 million verdict reached for a car accident case. The legal acumen of our attorneys has won our firm and lawyers numerous awards and accolades as well. Eight of our partners and attorneys have been featured as Super Lawyers, with Marion Munley consecutively named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and also honored as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.
Our firm has been named to Best Law Firms, and all of our attorneys have also received honors from Best Lawyers, with Marion Munley featured as Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation, Daniel Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, and J. Christopher Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation. All Munley Law lawyers are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Association of Justice, where Marion Munley is currently the Vice President of the AAJ and the first woman to head the organization’s Trucking Litigation Group, in which Daniel Munley served as Chair. All of these achievements and more demonstrate our skill and commitment in bringing our clients’ personal injury cases to justice.
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Frequently Asked Questions About T-Bone Car Accidents
What are the most common injuries in T-bone car accidents?
According to Consumer Shield, the most common and typical injuries in T-bone accidents include head injuries and traumatic brain injury, neck and back injuries, bone fractures, internal injuries, and psychological trauma.
How many T-bone accidents happen in Pennsylvania each year?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports two types of T-bone accidents in its crash statistics: angle crashes and sideswipe crashes. The latest report shows that there were 32,969 angle car crashes and 7,490 sideswipe crashes in Pennsylvania in 2024.
What’s the first thing I should do after being involved in a T-bone car crash?
If you have been involved in a T-bone car accident, contact emergency services right away to get swift medical treatment for any injuries you may have. While they are on the way, stay on the scene to exchange insurance information with the other driver and gather evidence of the incident (photographs, video footage, and eyewitness reports).
Who could be at fault in my T-bone car crash?
Either you or the other driver – or both – could be at fault for your T-bone accident. Some T-bone crashes can also be caused by a third party, such as a negligent car manufacturer. The best way to accurately determine fault in your car crash is to contact an experienced T-bone accident lawyer who can expertly evaluate your case.
What kind of compensation can I claim for a T-bone car accident?
You may be able to claim both economic and non-economic damages for a T-bone car accident. These include financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs, as well as damages for emotional and mental suffering and damage to your vehicle and personal property.
Work with an experienced Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys personal injury lawyer who will work tirelessly to guide you through the process and ensure you receive justice and fair compensation. Contact us today for a free case review or free consultation.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation,including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
