T-Bone Accident Injury Lynchburg, VA
T-Bone Accident Injury Lynchburg, VA| Who’s at Fault?
T-bone Accidents or otherwise known as side impact or broadside accidents accounted for 23% percent of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2018, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A T-Bone accident is caused by one vehicle crashing head on into the side of another vehicle and creating a shape with the resemblance of a T. Being involved in a T-Bone accident unfortunately increases your chances of sustaining a serious injury or injuries. If you have been in a T-bone accident you may be entitled to compensation. Here are some of the things you should know about Lynchburg T-Bone Accidents and what you could do if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
What Happens in a T bone Accident?
Almost all T-bone accidents are caused because one of the two vehicles has failed to yield the right of way to the other. Examples include taking a unsafe left turn at an intersection, assuming the other vehicle would stop on yellow. Taking a left turn late after the red light with the other vehicle also running the red light. Or another driver running a stop sign and colliding with you. A drivers increased cell phone use, exhaustion and or the use of drugs or alcohol could all be contributing factors that increase the chances of a T-Bone accident occurring. With that being said in T-Bone accidents it is typically easier to prove liability due to the main cause being failure to yield the right of way or doing something illegal such as blatantly running a read light or a stop sign.
Determining Liability in a T-bone Accident Case
The most common occurrence for T-Bone accidents is when one vehicle is trying to turn left. When police arrive on scene of a left-turn collision, almost all of the time they will give the ticket to the driver who was turning left. Because of the Virginia right-of-way laws the left-turning driver is to blame for an accident that occurs during the turn unless it is at an intersection controlled by traffic lights with separate left turn signals. At all other intersections and left turn occurrences it is rare to find the other driver liable, but there are some exceptions.
If a vehicle going straight runs a red light or stop sign and collides with you, the driver of that vehicle would be held partially if not fully liable for the accident. Another exception could be the vehicle going straight was traveling significantly over the speed limit which would deem them partially or fully liable. Lastly a driver who may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could be held liable for the accident.
Although most T-bone accidents are easy to judge some have many different ways to determine who is at fault. In accidents like this it is difficult to prove who is at fault without it becoming a “he said, she said” situation, that is why it is best to always identify witnesses. It is good to check for possible street light cameras that may have picked up the accident, or to get in contact with other drivers that may have been on the rode or even pedestrians.
Consulting an experienced Lynchburg T-bone accident attorney
Figuring out who is liable for your recent T-Bone accident can be frustrating and taxing on you. It can turn out to be extremely stressful for anyone to deal with this as well as deal with taking care of possible injuries. Hiring the right attorney to handle your lynchburg T-Bone accident claim is one of the most important decisions you can make, and one of the few things you have full control over. Our personal injury lawyers at Randall J. Trost, P.C. have helped injury victims throughout the state since 1982. We are experts in Lynchburg car accident law and personal injury law, and we have the experience, expertise as well as resources to take on any insurance company. Contact Randall J. Trost, P.C. today to schedule a free consultation with a Lynchburg T-Bone accident attorney.