T-Bone Car Accident in Riverview, Who’s at Fault?

The most common type of accident at an intersection is a T-bone car accident. A T-bone car accident is probably one of the most dangerous kinds of car accident because there is less structural support along the side of a vehicle, versus in the front or back.

T-bone accidents are very common at intersections given the inherent dangers involved with intersections. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40% of all vehicle crashes occur at intersections. This is “. . .because these are locations where two or more roads cross each other and activities such as turning left, crossing over, and turning right have the potential for conflicts resulting in crashes.”

Who is Responsible for a T-Bone Car Accident?

A T-bone accident occurs when one vehicle crashes head-on (or nearly head-on) into the side of another. These types of accidents most commonly occur when one vehicle is crossing over in front of the other. For example, if someone runs a red light and hits your car broadside, this is T-bone accident. In this scenario, it is obvious that the driver who ran the red light would be responsible for causing the crash, and for paying any medical bills, lost income, or other damages you may suffer if in the event that you were injured.

Another common scenario we see that results in a T-bone accident is where a vehicle is attempting to make a left-hand turn across a lane or several lanes of traffic. In most circumstances, the driver turning left (who gets t-boned), will be held responsible for the crash. This is because under Florida law, a car making a left turn should yield to oncoming vehicles and only turn when it is safe. However, this is not always the case.

Florida is a comparative law state. This means that if there is evidence of negligence on more than one party, each can be held responsible for his/her share of negligence. In the case of a T-bone accident involving a car making a left turn, there are times where the rule that the left turning driver is responsible may not apply. Such times include where there is evidence that the other driver was speeding, or that the other driver ran a red light. In these circumstances, the left turning driver may be relieved of some, or possibly all, liability for the crash.

4 Tips to Safely Navigate an Intersection

Since it is impossible to avoid driving through an intersection, and since driving through one is likely an everyday occurrence for you, it’s important to know what steps you can take that will help you navigate them more safely. Here are 4 tips to help you safely navigate an intersection:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times;

• Slow down while driving through an intersection;

• Keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you; and

• Always use your turn signal.

If you’ve been injured in a Florida spring break car accident, the attorneys at SouthShore Injury Attorneys are experienced in representing car accident victims in Tampa Bay and throughout the State of Florida. If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact SouthShore Injury Attorneys at 813-797-5998 for a free consultation.