A broadside collision—also called a T-bone accident—can happen in an instant, leaving you with serious injuries, costly repairs, and a tough battle with insurance. These crashes often occur at intersections when another driver runs a red light, ignores a stop sign, or simply isn’t paying attention. If you’ve been in one, you’re probably wondering who’s at fault, how to get compensated, and what steps to take next. In this guide, we’ll break down what causes broadside collisions, how liability is determined, and what you can do to protect yourself—both on the road and in the aftermath.
What Is a T-Bone Accident? Is It the Same as a Broadside Collision?
A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, often at a perpendicular angle, and the impact forms a “T” shape at the point of collision. The terms broadside and T-bone are often used interchangeably, but some insurers and law enforcement agencies may distinguish them based on the angle or severity of impact. Unfortunately, these accidents are alarmingly common.
Where Do T-Bone Accidents Most Commonly Occur?
Broadside collisions happen most frequently at intersections, where vehicles cross paths from multiple directions. These locations are among the most dangerous on the road—the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that around 40% of all car crashes in the U.S. occur at intersections, with side-impact collisions making up a significant portion.
Analysis of Fatal Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes and Fatalities at Intersections from 1997 to 2004 by NHTSA showed that Florida has one of the highest rates of intersection-related fatal crashes in the U.S., with over 21,000 fatal crashes recorded for these years. Traffic signal violations and stop sign-related errors contributed significantly, with 20% of fatal crashes occurring at traffic lights and 10% at stop signs. Busy urban intersections see even higher risks, especially in cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, where heavy traffic, frequent stops, and complex road layouts increase the likelihood of these crashes.
Beyond intersections, broadside collisions are also common in parking lots and high-traffic urban areas, where limited visibility, unpredictable vehicle movements, and tight spaces increase the risk of low-speed side-impact crashes. While intersections, parking lots, and congested city roads are high-risk areas for broadside collisions, the root cause of these crashes often comes down to driver behavior and critical errors in judgment.
Causes of T-Bone Accidents
The Crash Factors in Intersection-Related Crashes report by NHTSA found that many intersection-related crashes are caused by driver errors such as illegal maneuvers, inattention, and misjudgment of speed or distance. The most common causes of T-bone accidents are:
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – A driver ignores a signal and slams into the side of a vehicle with the right of way, often leading to high-impact collisions with severe injuries. NHTSA data shows that male drivers are more likely to cause these crashes due to illegal maneuvers or aggressive driving.
- Failure to Yield – Misjudging another vehicle’s speed or right of way is one of the most common causes of left-turn T-bone crashes. According to NHTSA, drivers 55 and older are more likely to cause these crashes due to inadequate surveillance or misjudging gaps in traffic, while younger drivers (24 and under) are more likely to turn with an obstructed view.
- Distracted Driving – Internal distractions, such as phone use, GPS adjustments, or even talking to passengers, are major contributors to intersection crashes, especially among drivers 24 and younger. Female drivers are more likely to experience recognition errors like inattention or internal distraction. In contrast, male drivers are more prone to external distractions or aggressive maneuvers that lead to broadside accidents.
- Speeding – The faster the impact, the worse the damage. Speeding through an intersection increases the risk of rollovers, crushed vehicles, and life-threatening injuries. Data suggests that male drivers are more likely to be involved in these crashes due to excessive speed or aggressive driving.
- Drunk or Impaired Driving – Alcohol and drug impairment play a major role in T-bone crashes, with intoxicated drivers often misjudging speed, failing to yield, or ignoring traffic signals altogether. NHTSA analysis indicates that critical non-performance errors—such as falling asleep, passing out, or suffering a medical emergency—are significant factors in broadside collisions caused by impaired drivers.
- Poor Visibility & Weather Conditions – Heavy rain, fog, and glare reduce visibility, making it harder for drivers to see traffic signals, stop signs, or approaching vehicles.
How to Avoid T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents or broadside collisions often happen in an instant, but staying alert and anticipating other drivers’ mistakes can help prevent them. Always double-check before entering an intersection, as not all drivers stop when they should. Slow down at stop signs, be extra cautious when making left turns, and watch for speeding or distracted drivers. In parking lots and poor visibility conditions, move carefully and assume others may not see you.
Depending on the above-mentioned causes, speed, angle, and force of impact, a T-bone collision can range from a minor fender bender to a devastating crash with rollovers and life-threatening injuries. Let’s take a closer look at the most common injuries victims suffer in T-bone accidents and how the nature of these crashes makes them particularly dangerous.
Common Injuries Victims Face in T-bone Accidents
T-bone accidents happen in an instant, often leaving victims with serious injuries and totaled vehicles. These crashes are especially dangerous because the sides of a car offer far less protection than the front or rear. Unlike rear-end crashes, T-bone impacts hit passengers directly with little to absorb the force. The result? Serious injuries can change a person’s life. Some of the most common include:
- Head and Brain Injuries – Hitting the window or dashboard can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal and Neck Injuries – Even at moderate speeds, whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage are common.
- Broken Bones & Crush Injuries – The side of the vehicle can cave in, trapping the driver or passengers and leading to fractures, internal injuries, or amputations in severe cases.
- Rollovers & Roof Crush Injuries – If a larger vehicle (like an SUV or truck) T-bones a smaller car, the impact can cause it to flip over, increasing the risk of fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a T-bone accident, navigating the aftermath can be overwhelming—medical bills, lost income, and insurance companies looking to minimize payouts—but determining fault isn’t always straightforward due to conflicting witness statements, unclear traffic signals, or shared liability in certain scenarios, so let’s break down how fault is determined in these accidents and what factors impact liability.
Liability in T-Bone Accidents: Who’s at Fault?
Broadside collisions often come down to who had the right of way and who violated traffic laws. While many assume the driver who crashes into the side of another car is always at fault, that’s not always the case. Liability depends on how and where the crash happened, and in some scenarios, both drivers—or even a third party—could share responsibility.
T-Bone Accidents from Left Turns Across Traffic
Not all T-bone crashes at intersections are the same. One of the most common types involves left turns across oncoming traffic. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles unless they have a protected green arrow. If they misjudge another vehicle’s speed, turn too late, or fail to yield, they will likely be found at fault for the collision. However, if the oncoming driver was speeding, distracted, or ran a yellow light that turned red, they could share some responsibility.
Intersection T-Bone Collisions: A Broader Category
T-bone crashes at intersections aren’t always caused by left turns. Some occur because a driver runs a red light, ignores a stop sign, or makes an unsafe right turn. In these cases, liability typically falls on the driver who violated the traffic signal or failed to yield. However, fault can sometimes be disputed, especially if the signals were unclear or both drivers entered the intersection at nearly the same time. Traffic camera footage, eyewitness testimony, and police reports are often key in proving fault.
T-Bone Collisions in Parking Lots
Broadside crashes don’t just happen on busy roads—they’re also common in parking lots, where vehicles frequently pull out of spaces or navigate tight lanes. If a driver backs out of a spot without looking and gets hit in the side, they are typically at fault. But if another driver was speeding through the lot, ignoring right-of-way rules, or cutting across lanes, they could share liability. Since many parking lots are private property, insurance companies often classify these accidents differently, and law enforcement may not issue citations unless injuries are involved.
T-Bone Collisions When Entering the Roadway
A driver pulling onto a street from a driveway, parking lot, or side road must yield to traffic already on the roadway. If they miscalculate a gap in traffic or fail to come to a full stop, they are likely responsible for a broadside crash. However, if the approaching driver was speeding well over the limit or engaged in reckless driving, they may be partially liable. In some cases, if poor visibility, missing signage, or an obstructed view contributed to the accident, liability might extend to local municipalities or property owners for failing to maintain safe roadway conditions.
Some other broadside collision scenarios may include:
Multi-Car T-Bone Accidents
If one vehicle is pushed into another due to a rear-end crash or an out-of-control driver, the driver who caused the initial impact may be held liable.
T-Bones Caused by Malfunctioning Traffic Lights
If a traffic signal is broken or mistimed, liability may extend beyond the drivers involved to the city or agency responsible for maintaining the lights.
T-Bones Involving Commercial Vehicles
If a truck or rideshare driver causes a broadside crash, their employer or the company’s insurance may also bear responsibility under vicarious liability laws.
After a broadside collision, one of the biggest concerns is who covers the costs.
Who Pays for Damages in a Broadside Collision?
Medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs after a broadside collision can be financially overwhelming, leaving victims wondering who covers the costs. In some states, like Texas, at-fault drivers are responsible for covering damages through their liability insurance. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning even if a driver is 99% at fault, they can still recover 1% of their damages.
In Florida, however, the answer depends on who was at fault, the insurance policies involved, and the severity of the injuries. Because Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will cover a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages—regardless of who caused the accident. PIP typically pays up to 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages, but coverage is capped at $10,000 unless you suffer an emergency medical condition.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means liability can be split between both drivers. If you’re found less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the crash, your total settlement would be reduced by 20%. However, if you’re more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages from the other driver.
On the contrary, if the other driver caused the crash—by running a red light, failing to yield, or making an unsafe turn—you may be able to seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance. If the at-fault driver is insured, their policy may cover:
- Medical expenses beyond PIP limits
- Pain and suffering damages (which PIP does not cover)
- Vehicle repairs or replacement costs.
If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may need to turn to your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage—if you have it—to cover the remaining costs.
Even when liability seems clear, insurance companies often delay or dispute claims to minimize payouts. If you’re dealing with medical bills piling up and an insurance company refusing to pay what you’re owed, taking legal action may be the only way to secure fair compensation.
How Our Lawyers Can Help After a T-Bone Accident
As we’ve already seen, T-bone accidents often leave victims with serious injuries, totaled vehicles, and overwhelming medical bills—all while insurance companies try to minimize payouts. If another driver’s negligence caused your crash, you shouldn’t have to fight for fair compensation alone. That’s where we come in.
Proving Fault in Complex Cases. T-bone collisions often lead to disputed liability, especially if the at-fault driver claims they had the right of way. We gather traffic camera footage, witness statements, accident reconstruction reports, and police records to build a strong case and prove what really happened.
Maximizing Your Compensation. Insurance companies routinely undervalue T-bone accident claims, downplaying injuries or blaming the victim. Our car accident lawyers fight to recover full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation costs—ensuring you don’t get shortchanged.
Handling Insurance Negotiations. Dealing with insurers can be frustrating and exhausting. We handle every call, email, and negotiation, making sure you’re not pressured into accepting a low settlement that won’t cover your expenses.
Taking Your Case to Court if Necessary. If the insurance company refuses to pay what you deserve, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. We know how to present compelling evidence and expert testimony to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Insurance companies aren’t looking out for you—we are. If you were injured in a T-bone accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on recovery.