Accidents can be a frightening experience. No matter who you are, they’re your worst nightmare if you drive. What many people don’t know is that car accidents can come in many shapes and forms. More precisely, T-bone accidents are a common occurrence. So, what are T-bone accidents? How do they happen, and who is at fault? Let’s take a look at cause, fault, and how to navigate a T-bone accident claim.
What is a T-bone accident?
Also known as a side-impact or broadside collision, T-bone accidents occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. Generally, these collisions occur at intersections when someone accelerates as they’re not supposed to, running a red light. These accidents can cause severe damage to not only the vehicle but the driver or passenger. This is due to the limited protection vehicles have on their sides.
As these accidents occur on the side of the car, occupants have less protection. Due to the impact pushing passengers sideways, it increases their chance of contact with a vehicle’s window, or worse. The term ‘t-bone accident’ is based on the ‘T shape’ the accident creates when one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle.
As mentioned above, these typically occur when one driver fails to yield their right of way. Intersections controlled by stop lights or stop signs can make for dangerous areas where T-bone accidents occur. If a driver is making a left turn and assumes the other motorist will brake at the yellow light, they risk a T-bone accident if the driver proceeds through the light.
What is the impact of a side-collision accident?
There are a handful of dangerous impacts that come with T-bone accidents. The results can be extremely traumatic and devastating for all involved. Some common ones include:
- Damage to vehicle: Since the sides of most vehicles are less protected than the front and rear, most T-bone accidents result in significant damage to the vehicle’s interior and exterior.
- Injuries to occupants: Since passengers aren’t as protected, they face a higher risk of injuries, like broken bones or head trauma.
- Fatalities: Unfortunately, deaths as a result of T-bone accidents are far too common. Generally, death occurs when vehicles are moving at higher speeds.
- Emotional trauma: The emotional trauma that comes with a T-bone accident can be severe. It is not uncommon for long-term psychological effects to affect both involved in the accident. Similar to other major crashes, side effects can include anxiety when driving or PTSD.
How do these accidents happen?
Generally, T-bone collisions occur when a driver does not yield the right of way. Though this is the most common, there are various reasons why a driver may fail to yield the right of way. Some examples of these are as follows:
- Running a red light or stop sign: This is arguably the most common. A driver runs a red light or stop sign and collides with the vehicle with the right of way.
- Distractions: Texting and driving or other reasons for distracted driving can cause drivers not to notice other vehicles or specific traffic signals.
- Speeding: If someone is speeding, their reaction time is reduced. This makes the likelihood of running a red light or stop sign much higher.
- Driving under the influence: If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they’ll likely have slower reaction times when it comes to other vehicles and traffic signals.
- Poor weather conditions: Rain, sleet, and snow can all reduce drivers visibility. On top of this, it can be harder to stop if roads are slippery.
Who is at fault when it comes to these types of accidents?
Deciphering who is at fault when it comes to T-bone accidents can be difficult. It tends to be one of the most common questions when it comes to these types of accidents. This is because finding out who is at fault can sometimes be a tricky part of the insurance process. However, the driver at fault in a T-bone accident is usually the person who acts negligently. This means the driver who runs a red light or makes a faulty left turn will generally be held accountable.
Here are some examples of how to decipher who is at fault in a T-bone accident:
- Right of way: Police will determine who had the right of way at the time of an accident. If a driver fails to yield, they are usually the one at fault.
- Traffic signals and stop signs: These are a primary consideration when it comes to figuring out who is at fault. Traffic cameras, red light cameras as well as witness statements, can provide evidence as to who caused the accident.
- Witness statement: As with any major accident, witnesses can offer testimonies that may be valuable to figuring out how the accident occurred.
- Police report: When filing a police report, officers assess the situation and determine fault based on evidence at the scene. This can include skid marks and vehicle positions after the accident.
What happens if I’m involved in a T-bone accident?
When you get into a T-bone accident, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure you and your drivers remain safe and sound. Generally, these steps will be similar to the steps taken in any major accident. The steps are as follows:
- Move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if possible.
- Ensure all passengers in your car are safe. On top of this, make sure any people in the other vehicle are also safe. If there are injuries, call emergency services immediately.
- Exchange insurance information.
- File a police report. This is crucial for insurance claims. Make sure to also take photos of the vehicle damage, as well as traffic signals.
- Collect the information from anybody who may have witnessed the accident.
- Report your accident to your insurance company and provide the documentation collected during your police report.
- Visit a collision reporting centre before you use your vehicle on the road again.
Will a T-bone accident increase my insurance?
Like any other accident, if you are found at fault in a T-bone accident, your premiums are likely to increase. Many factors come into play when determining the extent of the increase. This includes the severity of the accident, as well as your driving history.
To minimize your premium increase after a T-bone accident, there are some steps you can take. If you’re found at fault but believe it to be inaccurate, you can dispute the determination with your provider. From there, it is important to avoid other traffic violations and accidents to keep your insurance costs lower. Additionally, some companies will offer accident forgiveness programs. These will waive or reduce your increase in premiums when it comes to specific accident types.
It is important to shop around for insurance quotes from different companies to ensure you get the best rates. This is the case even if you have never been in an accident! Are you in the market for a new insurance provider? If so, why not check out isure? We offer some of the best prices in the province as well as customer service you can rely on. Contact us or request a car insurance quote today.
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