Hawk Law Group | August 16, 2022 | Car Accidents

One moment, you’re driving through an intersection—the next, a car slams into your side. Your vehicle spins. Glass shatters. Your heart pounds.

Now, you’re injured, overwhelmed, and facing medical bills you can’t afford. Worse, the other driver blames you.

Who’s really at fault? Will their insurance pay, or will they try to lowball you? 

This guide explains how to prove liability, gather evidence, and protect your rights after a T-bone accident.

Are you ready to discuss your case with a lawyer who can help? Call our law offices in Aiken, South Carolina at (803) 226-9089 to schedule a free consultation today.

What Is a T-Bone Accident?

A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact collision or broadside crash, occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another, forming a “T” shape. 

These crashes most often happen at intersections, where two vehicles cross paths—sometimes due to a failure to yield, running a red light, or driver distraction.

T-bone car accidents are among the most dangerous types of car crashes. 

Unlike head-on or rear-end collisions, the sides of vehicles offer minimal protection, leaving occupants highly vulnerable to severe injuries.

Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents

  • Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: A driver speeds through an intersection despite a red light or stop sign, colliding with a vehicle crossing legally.
  • Failure to Yield the Right of Way: Some intersections lack traffic signals, requiring drivers to follow right-of-way laws. If a driver ignores these rules, they may cause a crash.
  • Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, or other distractions can cause a driver to miss a stop sign or traffic light, leading to a broadside collision.
  • Reckless Driving & Speeding: Drivers who speed to “beat the light” or make last-minute turns often misjudge timing and cause crashes.
  • Poor Visibility or Weather Conditions: Fog, rain, or obstructed views (e.g., parked trucks blocking stop signs) can lead to mistakes in judging right-of-way.
  • Vehicle or Traffic Light Malfunction: If brakes fail or traffic signals don’t function properly, the crash may not be the driver’s fault.

Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?

Nearly every T-bone collision happens due to one driver’s careless actions. A careless driver can be considered negligent and liable for damages under the law.

Carelessness may include failing to yield the right of way at an intersection or cross street. This is typically due to distraction, perhaps due to the driver looking down at their phone, or impatience, where a driver will ignore other motorists and continue out of turn.

At uncontrolled intersections, where there are no traffic signs or signals, South Carolina’s right-of-way law governs which driver yields to others. 

As a South Carolina motorist, the onus is on you to know what the law requires and to yield the right of way to:

  • Pedestrians who are in the intersection or in a crosswalk
  • Vehicles that have already entered the intersection before you
  • The driver to the right of you

Drivers who fail to abide by these rules may not only cause a T-bone crash but may also be found responsible for paying compensation to you or others injured by the crash.

Potentially At-Fault Parties:

1. The Drivers Involved

  • If a driver ignored a stop sign or red light, they are typically at fault.
  • If both drivers claim they had the green light, witness testimony or camera footage may be needed to determine liability.
Example: A driver runs a red light at a busy intersection and slams into the side of a car that legally entered on a green. In this case, the red-light runner is at fault.

2. A Third-Party Driver

  • A driver who made an illegal left turn or forced another car to swerve may cause a T-bone crash—even if their car wasn’t involved in the collision.
  • These drivers can still be held liable for the accident.
Example: A driver makes an illegal left turn, cutting off another car. To avoid hitting them, the second driver swerves—only to be T-boned by another vehicle. The turning driver (who may have driven away) could still be held liable for causing the chain reaction.

3. Vehicle Manufacturers

  • Brake failure, steering malfunctions, or other mechanical defects can prevent a driver from stopping in time.
  • In these cases, the car manufacturer or maintenance provider may be held responsible.
Example: A driver sees a stop sign and attempts to brake—but their brakes fail due to a manufacturer defect. If this leads to a T-bone crash, the car manufacturer or mechanic who last serviced the vehicle may be responsible.

4. Local Government or Road Authorities

  • If a malfunctioning traffic signal or poorly placed stop sign contributed to the crash, the city or municipality may be at fault.
Example: A traffic light at a major intersection malfunctions and shows green in both directions, leading to a collision. The local government responsible for maintaining traffic signals could be held accountable for the crash.

How to Prove Fault in a T-Bone Accident

To successfully prove fault in a T-bone accident, you must establish negligence, causation, and damages—three essential elements of a personal injury case.

Insurance companies often dispute liability, so having the right evidence can mean the difference between getting full compensation or being unfairly blamed for the crash.

Key Evidence That Helps Determine Liability

Here’s what you should collect immediately after the accident:

  • Police Report – Officers document their initial findings on who was at fault, but this report isn’t always final—insurance companies may challenge it.
  • Traffic Camera or Dashcam Footage – Video evidence is the strongest proof of who had the right of way. If both drivers claim they had a green light, camera footage can settle the dispute.
  • Witness Statements – Neutral bystanders can verify if the other driver ran a red light, ignored a stop sign, or drove recklessly. Witness credibility can be key in contested cases.
  • Photos of the Scene – Capture road signs, traffic signals, skid marks, and vehicle damage. These details help accident reconstruction experts determine fault.
  • Accident Reconstruction – If fault is unclear, experts analyze vehicle positions, impact angles, and traffic flow to create a scientific breakdown of how the crash happened.

Can I Sue After a T-bone Collision?

Every personal injury case hinges on proving who was negligent and how their actions caused your injuries. 

Without strong evidence, insurance companies may try to deny or minimize your claim—leaving you with the financial burden.

If you’re struggling to prove fault after a T-bone accident, a personal injury lawyer can gather evidence, consult experts, and fight for your rights—ensuring you’re not unfairly blamed for someone else’s negligence.

Why Hiring a Lawyer After a T-Bone Accident Matters

After a T-bone accident, you might assume the insurance company will handle everything fairly—after all, the crash wasn’t your fault. 

But too often, accident victims find themselves fighting for the compensation they need while insurance adjusters try to downplay their injuries or shift blame. 

The process can be exhausting, confusing, and frustrating.

That’s why having a personal injury lawyer on your side can make all the difference.

1. Insurance Companies Don’t Play Fair

Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to pay out as little as possible—not to make sure you get what you deserve. They may:

  • Offer a low settlement that won’t cover all your expenses
  • Blame you for part of the accident to reduce their payout
  • Delay your claim, hoping you’ll give up

A lawyer knows how to push back and demand fair compensation so you’re not left paying for someone else’s mistake.

2. The Right Evidence Can Strengthen Your Case

If fault is disputed, evidence is everything—but gathering it on your own isn’t easy. A lawyer can help by:

  • Obtaining traffic camera footage to prove who ran a red light
  • Speaking with witnesses before details fade
  • Working with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash

3. You Deserve More Than a Quick Settlement

A fast insurance offer might seem tempting, but once you accept, you can’t go back for more. A lawyer ensures your full damages are accounted for, including:

  • Medical expenses—now and in the future
  • Lost income if your injuries prevent you from working
  • Vehicle repair or replacement
  • Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll

Dealing with the aftermath of a T-bone accident is hard enough—you shouldn’t have to battle the insurance company alone. Let Hawk Law Group take the legal burden off your shoulders while you focus on healing.

If you or a loved one were injured in a T-bone accident, we’re here to help. Call us today for a free case evaluation—we’ll answer your questions and walk you through your legal options.

We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and its surrounding areas:

Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 480 8962

Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863 6500

Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361 0350

Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437 9122

Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226 9089

We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.