Who Is At Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident in Phoenix, AZ?

October 29, 2024 | Car Accidents

Who Is At Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident in Phoenix, AZ?

T-bone accidents happen more often than you might think. Of the many types of car accidents that occurred in the U.S. in 2022, T-bone collisions accounted for 22% of deaths in passenger-occupied vehicles.

What exactly is a T-bone car accident, and how do you determine who’s at fault?

What Is a T-Bone Car Accident?

What does “T-bone” mean in a car accident? The meaning is right there in the name.

It’s not uncommon to hear someone say that they’ve been T-boned, meaning they were involved in a car accident in which the front of one vehicle hit the side of another, making a T-shape. These accidents usually happen at intersections, and they can be dangerous because the side of a car doesn’t have the same kind of protection as the front or back.

Why T-Bone Accidents Are So Dangerous

T-bone crashes pose a serious threat to drivers and passengers for several reasons, including the following:

  • Less Protection: Car sides have less crumple zone to absorb impact
  • Rollover Risk: The impact can cause vehicles to flip, especially taller SUVs
  • Direct Hit: The striking vehicle’s full force may hit passengers directly

As a result, T-bone accident victims may also sustain severe injuries like brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries.

T-Bone Accident: Who Could Be At Fault?

Figuring out who is at fault for a T-bone accident isn’t always straightforward. The answer depends on who has the right-of-way. In other words, it’s about which car was legally supposed to go and which one was supposed to wait.

A driver in a T-bone accident who’s at fault likely:

In Arizona, most T-bone accident claims are based on negligence, which means one or more parties failed to act with proper care. It can be tricky, though, because both drivers might claim the other was at fault. That’s why evidence like witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert analysis can be so important to determine who bears fault.

Arizona’s Comparative Negligence Law

It’s worth noting that Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that fault can be split between parties in a car accident case.

Even if you share some of the blame for the accident, you’re still eligible to recover damages. However, the amount you receive will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.

Other Parties That May Also Be At Fault For a T-Bone Accident

Some less obvious but nonetheless potentially liable entities in a T-bone accident case could include:

Motor Vehicle Manufacturers 

You can hold the manufacturer of the vehicle or a part liable if a mechanical defect caused the accident. For example, you can sue the manufacturer if defective brakes lead to a T-bone accident. These cases are usually harder to determine.

Parties Involved in the Road Design

Road design flaws, poor signage, and inadequate lighting can contribute to T-bone accidents. If these factors led to the mishap, you could hold the entities responsible for maintaining road signs and street lighting liable.

Determining Fault in a Phoenix T-Bone Accident

Which party is at fault in a T-bone accident comes down to who acted negligently. But sometimes, it’s not just one driver, individual, or entity — in Arizona, fault can be shared, and that could impact the damages awarded for injuries and property damage.

If you’ve been in a T-bone accident, it’s important to gather as much evidence as possible to show who was at fault. The more information you can provide about what happened, the better your chances of a fair and just outcome will be.

Contact the Arizona Car Accident Lawyers at Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Today

If you were injured in an accident in Phoenix, AZ, and need legal help, contact our Phoenix car accident attorneys at Runion Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.

Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
3200 N Central Ave Suite 1100, Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 600-9000