Request Free Consultation

Who is At Fault in a Car Accident T-Bone?

Request Free Consultation
September 20, 2021 Car Accidents

T-bone accident collisions often result in devastating injuries for those involved. When a T-bone collision occurs in Denver, it is crucial to conduct a complete investigation into the claim in order to determine liability. The truth is that there may be more than one party held liable for a T-bone collision. Determining fault for these accidents is a crucial part of figuring out how much compensation injury victims should receive. Here, we will look at various T-bone accident scenarios in order to examine who may hold liability in certain situations.

T-Bone Collision Scenarios in Colorado

It is impossible to determine fault for a T-bone collision based purely on an article online. The reality is that every vehicle accident is different, and fault for a T-bone collision in Colorado will depend entirely on the circumstances surrounding each particular incident.

However, we can look at some common T-bone collision scenarios and examine who would be at fault:

    1. If a driver disregards the right of way of oncoming traffic in turns left at an intersection, they would be at fault if they end up being T-boned by another vehicle.
    2. If a driver runs a red light or a stop sign, they would be at fault if they slammed into the side of another vehicle, causing a T-bone collision.
    3. Any driver who leaves a parking lot, alleyway, or an intersection without yielding the right of way to traffic already on the roadway would be at fault if they caused a T-bone collision.

Typically, we will find that T-bone accidents are caused by one driver failing to yield the right of way to another driver. The driver who fails to yield the right of way will likely be at fault. However, failing to yield the right of way can also be the symptom of other types of reckless driving, including operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs, while distracted by a phone or another device, while fatigue behind the wheel, etc.

Unfortunately, T-bone collisions often result in severe injuries for those involved, particularly for the driver struck on their side. It is not uncommon for Colorado T-bone accident victims to sustain the following types of injuries:

  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
  • Significant scarring or disfigurement
  • Internal bleeding
  • Internal organ damage

In addition to these injuries, victims of T-bone collisions will likely incur significant amounts of property damage that has to be repaired.

Colorado Comparative Negligence

When discussing fault for vehicle accidents in Colorado, we have to examine the possibility of more than one driver causing a collision. This state has laws to handle situations where more than one driver causes an accident. Colorado operates under a “modified comparative negligence” system. Under this system, drivers can still recover compensation even if they are partially at fault, so long as they are not 50% or more responsible for their own injuries. Any driver 50% or more responsible for a collision will not be able to recover compensation.

Any driver less than 50% responsible for causing their own injuries can still recover compensation, though the total amount they receive will be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident, it’s important to speak with a Denver T-bone accident attorney as soon as possible.