Legal Fighters - Accident Attorneys

T-bone Car Accidents

Car accidents come in many forms, but few are as dangerous or life-altering as T-bone collisions. These side-impact crashes, often occurring at intersections or busy roads, leave victims facing devastating injuries, financial burdens, and emotional trauma. If you’ve been involved in a T-bone car accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming. From physical injuries to financial burdens, these accidents leave a deep impact on the lives of victims and their families.

It’s important to remember that seeking justice and compensation is more than recovering money—it’s about finding the support you need to rebuild your life, access medical treatment, and ensure accountability for the harm caused to you or your loved ones.

Table of Contents

What Is a T-bone Car Accident?

A T-bone accident occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another at a right angle, forming a “T” shape. Typically, these collisions happen at intersections, parking lots, or areas where vehicles cross paths. Due to the lack of protective barriers on the sides of cars, these accidents often result in severe injuries to the occupants, particularly those sitting on the side of impact.

T-bone accidents can occur in busy areas like Hollywood Boulevard or intersections near iconic Glendale landmarks, such as the Americana at Brand. They can strike suddenly, even in familiar settings where you’d never expect an accident—a reminder that even a momentary lapse in attention or judgment on the road can have life-changing consequences.

Causes of T-bone Accidents

T-bone accidents don’t just happen out of nowhere. They’re often caused by someone’s negligence or failure to follow the rules of the road. Here are some of the most common reasons behind these accidents:

1. Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Intersections are a common site for T-bone collisions. Drivers who speed through red lights or fail to yield at stop signs endanger others on the road. For example, if someone fails to stop at an intersection near Grand Central Avenue in Glendale, their car could easily T-bone another vehicle lawfully crossing the intersection.

2. Distracted Driving

When drivers take their eyes off the road—whether to check a text, adjust the GPS or sip coffee—they put everyone around them at risk. A distracted driver might not notice a car in their path and fail to stop in time, leading to a side-impact collision.

3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Alcohol and drugs significantly impair judgment, reaction times, and motor skills. DUI-related crashes frequently turn into T-bone accidents, particularly at night in areas like Sunset Boulevard or the Ventura Freeway.

4. Failure to Yield Right-of-Way

Drivers have a legal obligation to yield to others in certain situations, such as at four-way stops or when making left turns. A failure to respect the right-of-way often results in a T-bone collision.

5. Adverse Weather Conditions

Rain, fog, and other weather conditions can make roads like the Pacific Coast Highway more treacherous, increasing the likelihood of accidents. If a driver misjudges their ability to brake or steer, they might slide into the side of another car.

By identifying the root cause of a T-bone accident, victims can better understand their rights and take steps toward securing justice.

Injuries Caused by T-bone Accidents

back injury xray

T-bone car accidents commonly lead to severe injuries, especially for occupants on the impacted side of the vehicle. Unlike the front and rear of cars, which often have crumple zones and reinforced bumpers, the sides offer far less protection. Airbags, if deployed, mitigate the damage only to an extent.

Victims of T-bone collisions often suffer from the following injuries:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The sudden jolt of impact can cause the brain to slam against the skull, leading to long-term cognitive and physical challenges.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Side impacts can crush vertebrae or sever the spinal cord, resulting in partial or full paralysis.
  • Broken Bones: Fractures in the ribs, pelvis, femur, or arms are common in T-bone accidents due to the force of collision.
  • Internal Injuries: The impact from side collisions can damage internal organs, leading to conditions like internal bleeding.
  • Sprains and Whiplash: Even if a victim is fortunate enough to avoid life-altering injuries, soft tissue damage, neck pain, and whiplash are still frequent and debilitating outcomes.

These injuries not only lead to physical pain but also prevent victims from returning to work, driving, or caring for their families as they did before. This is why compensation matters—it allows victims to afford the medical treatment and rehabilitation they need to regain control of their lives.

Consequences of T-bone Accidents

A T-bone accident doesn’t just disrupt life—it turns it upside down. For victims and their loved ones, the aftermath is emotionally draining and financially devastating.

  • Medical Bills: T-bone accidents often lead to extensive medical costs, including emergency room visits, surgeries, ongoing physical therapy, and long-term care needs.
  • Lost Income: When injuries keep someone from working, the entire household feels the strain. Whether it’s a missed paycheck or a long-term absence due to disability, lost wages can send families into financial hardship.
  • Property Damage: Broadside collisions frequently total vehicles, leaving victims without reliable transportation.
  • Psychological Trauma: The psychological trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), caused by a T-bone accident can take years to overcome.

Families facing such difficulties need to know they are not alone. Justice and accountability require holding the responsible parties—be it the reckless driver or their insurance company—liable for their actions.

Insurance Companies and T-bone Accidents

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Unfortunately, dealing with insurance companies after a T-bone accident can be yet another stressful layer in an already difficult situation. Insurance providers, such as State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate, often attempt to downplay injuries and undervalue claims to reduce payouts.

Here are a few tactics insurance adjusters use to reduce or deny claims:

  • Arguing the victim was partially or fully at fault for the accident
  • Undervaluing damages, especially pain and suffering
  • Rushing victims into accepting low-ball settlement offers
  • Delaying payouts in hopes that claimants give up

If you’re facing resistance from an insurance company, it’s critical to advocate for yourself and push for fair compensation. Remember, you deserve the support and resources to rebuild your life.

What to Do After a T-bone Car Accident

Ideally, after a car accident, you would have collected evidence at the scene—photographs, witness information, and a police report. However, in the chaos and trauma of an accident, it’s understandable that not everything goes according to plan. The good news is that even in the days and weeks following a T-bone collision, there are crucial steps you can take to strengthen your case and seek the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Here’s how to safeguard your case in the weeks following the incident.

1. Get a Thorough Medical Evaluation

Your health and safety should always come first. Even if you were evaluated immediately after the accident, schedule a follow-up appointment to identify any delayed injuries or complications. Injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injuries may not immediately show symptoms, and delaying treatment could make these conditions worse. Keep every document from doctor’s visits, including medical reports, prescriptions, and billing statements, as this will be vital evidence in your claim.

If you skipped an initial evaluation at the time of the accident, it’s not too late—get checked out as soon as possible. Insurance companies are less likely to question injuries when they’re documented by a healthcare provider, no matter when they’re identified.

2. Request a Copy of the Police Report

Whether you called the police to the scene or not, you may still be able to access an accident report. Reach out to the law enforcement agency in the area where the accident occurred. For accidents in Glendale, for example, you can contact the Glendale Police Department. If a report hasn’t yet been created, it’s worth following up to ensure one is filed.

A police report often includes critical details about what happened and may support your version of events.

3. Revisit the Scene of the Accident

If possible, return to the accident site to collect missing details. Look for potential surveillance cameras from nearby traffic lights, businesses, or even residential doorbell cameras along the street. These devices may have recorded the crash, and requesting this footage—or at least noting its existence—can help you build a stronger case.

If possible, take photos of any remaining evidence at the scene, such as skid marks, debris, or vehicle positions, as these can support your case. Even after some time has passed, these details can still be valuable pieces of evidence.

4. Contact Witnesses

If there were witnesses but you didn’t collect their contact details at the scene, it’s worth revisiting the area or asking nearby businesses or residents if they can help you identify anyone who might have seen the accident. Witness testimony can play a powerful role in corroborating your account of the incident, and attorneys often use this information to negotiate with insurance companies.

5. Notify Your Insurance Company

Woman drivers call insurance after a car accident

After an accident, it’s important to report the incident to your own insurance provider within the required timeframe. Notify them of the crash and provide honest, straightforward details. However, be cautious in your interactions. Adjusters may try to get you to downplay injuries or minimize liability, so stick to the facts and avoid speculating about fault.

If you plan to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, you can also begin gathering information about their coverage. Your legal representative can take over correspondence with them to help protect your interests.

6. Compile Financial Records of Accident Impact

Start tracking the financial toll of the accident, including all related expenses. This may include:

  • Ongoing medical bills and therapy costs
  • Vehicle repair or replacement receipts
  • Prescription medication expenses
  • Records of missed work and lost wages

By keeping an organized record of these costs, you’re laying the foundation for a comprehensive compensation claim that fully reflects your losses.

7. Consult Legal Representation

Having a skilled car accident attorney in your corner makes a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Attorneys experienced in personal injury cases can guide you in gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and ensuring you’re not shortchanged for your injuries and losses.

Legal professionals will review police reports, medical documents, and witness statements, and they’ll even work with accident reconstruction experts if needed. With their support, you’ll feel confident that every aspect of your claim is being handled thoroughly and strategically.

8. Avoid Speaking About the Case Publicly

Finally, be cautious with what you share on social media or in casual conversations. Social media posts about the accident, your injuries, or unrelated activities may be used by insurance companies to dispute your claim or downplay its severity.

Instead, focus on the steps above and document everything carefully. By doing so, you’ll build a stronger foundation for obtaining the compensation and support you deserve.

Regardless of the initial steps you took, it’s never too late to take control of your case. Start with these actions, stay proactive, and lean on trusted professionals to guide you through the process ahead.

Contact Legal Fighters for Help with Your T-Bone Accident Claim

If you or someone you care about has been in a T-bone car accident, you don’t have to face the challenges alone. At Legal Fighters, we are deeply committed to helping victims secure the compensation they deserve. With unparalleled knowledge and partnerships with top lawyers nationwide, our team will fight for justice every step of the way.

Don’t let the aftermath of a T-bone accident define your future. Call Legal Fighters today at (800) 210-0000 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. Allow us to help you take the first step toward recovery. Your victory begins here.