Who’s at Fault for a T-Bone Car Accident in South Carolina?

T-bone crashes are among the most dangerous types of car crashes. A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact crash, is when the front of one car strikes the broader side of another car.

Almost one in every four car accident fatalities occurs as a result of a T-bone crash, even though they make up a much lower percentage of overall car accidents. The dangers of these crashes are as follows:

• The car that strikes the other car is involved in a crash with an impact on the front of their car, which is practically every bit as dangerous as a head-on crash.
• The car that is struck may be hit on the driver’s side, causing potential impact to the driver’s body (or the passenger side when there is someone else in the car)

Who is at-fault for a T-bone crash in these situations? The answer requires the counsel of a Moncks Corner T-bone car accident lawyer. If you or a loved one were injured in a T-bone crash in Berkley County, SC, reach out to West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers.

How T-Bone Crashes Occur

T-bone crashes occur when one driver does not yield the right of way as required by law, but it is not always the case that the driver who hits the other car is the one who is responsible for the crash. Here are scenarios in which T-bone crashes may occur:

• One or both drivers have a stop sign, and one driver runs the sign (they can strike the other car or be struck).
• A driver runs a red light when another is in the intersection (or tries and fails to make it through as the light is turning red).
• A driver tries to cross traffic to get to the other side of the street and is struck by an oncoming car.

The most common cause of T-bone accidents is distracted driving. Drivers may have their eyes off the road and not see the red light or stop sign. In other cases, the driver may be too aggressive at an intersection and speed through the red light, either because they missed getting through on a yellow light or because they intentionally failed to stop. Finally, a driver may not even see a stop sign or red light because they are intoxicated behind the wheel.

How to Receive Financial Compensation for a T-Bone Accident

To receive financial compensation for the accident, you must prove that someone else was to blame. In a T-bone car crash, the responsible driver is the one who failed to yield the right-of-way. You cannot even begin to discuss financial compensation until you establish liability.

Hopefully, there were witnesses to the accident, or it occurred in a manner that will make liability clear. In a T-bone accident, the problem is when you end up in a “truth contest” with another driver. Both you and the other motorist may have your own version of events. The other driver may not be telling the truth because they want compensation themselves or want to escape liability.

Proving Liability in a T-Bone Crash Case

In that case, you will need evidence to back up your own side of the story. It may be difficult for you to investigate your own accident, both because you are dealing with physical injuries and you do know how to obtain evidence. A car accident attorney can gather the proof necessary to establish your legal entitlement to financial compensation.

Possible evidence can include:

• Witness testimony from people who observed the actual crash
• Pictures of the scene of the accident
• The police report compiled by the officer who showed up at the scene
• Traffic camera or dashcam footage
• Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert

Your concern is that if both people are each telling their own story, and there is no evidence to prove one side, you may end up without financial compensation. In a car accident case, it is not what happened that matters most. It is what you can prove happened.

Obtaining Financial Compensation After a T-Bone Crash

There are two primary ways to obtain a check for the injuries that you suffered in a T-bone crash:

• You can file a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company in the hopes of reaching a settlement agreement. You will need to negotiate with the insurance company to obtain the right amount of money, assuming that they accept liability for the accident.
• You can file a lawsuit against the responsible driver in court and let the jury decide the matter. However, you will still be dealing with the insurance company, which is under the legal obligation to defend its policyholder. You may still reach a settlement agreement, as is what happens in most personal injury lawsuits.

While many things are uncertainties involved in a car accident claim, the one thing that is certain is that you are much better off with an experienced attorney handling your case. In a T-bone accident, there is a possibility that you can come away empty-handed or even legally responsible for the accident if you do not have an attorney to help you prove your case.

Injured in a T-Bone Crash? Contact a Moncks Corner Car Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a car accident, you need a fighter on your side. The attorneys at West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers can work to help you prove fault for the accident. Then, we will fight to maximize your compensation for your car accident injuries. All you need to do is call us at 843-483-8630 or send us a message to schedule your free initial consultation.