When a T-bone accident occurs—often because a driver fails to yield the right of way, runs a stop sign, or drives through a red light—the at-fault driver is typically the one who breached traffic rules. However, determining fault can be a complex process that depends on the details of the collision. Talking with a car accident lawyer can clarify where liability lies and whether multiple parties share responsibility.
At Allen & Allen, we understand how overwhelming it can feel after a side-impact crash. You might be dealing with pain, questions about medical bills, and concerns over missing work.
Our legal team is ready to take those worries off your shoulders and handle the claims process so you can focus on healing. We believe legal help should be accessible, compassionate, and driven by a legacy of caring for people throughout Virginia and beyond.
Our values guide our work
For more than 100 years, The Allen Law Firm has recognized and honored our responsibility to our clients, members of our firm, and our community. Our relationships are built on integrity, respect, compassion, and trust—the same values that have guided us since 1910. At Allen & Allen, we commit to making your fight our fight and obtaining justice on your behalf.
What is a T-bone accident?
A T-bone accident—also known as a side-impact or broadside collision—is a type of car accident that occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These collisions often happen at intersections where one driver may ignore or misunderstand the right of way. A T-bone collision can involve cars, trucks, SUVs, or any other type of vehicle.
Common causes include:
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming traffic
- Distracted driving
- Inattentive or impaired driving
- Attempting to turn left without a clear gap in traffic
Why side-impact collisions can be severe
Broadside crashes can cause significant harm because the sides of a vehicle don’t typically absorb impact as well as the front or rear. Airbags and crumple zones are more robust at the front end. Meanwhile, an oncoming vehicle can strike a passenger on the side, leaving little buffer beyond a door or window.
Even with the presence of side-curtain airbags in many modern vehicles, the force of impact can still travel through the door to the driver or passengers. This often leads to injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, and head trauma. Even at lower speeds, side-impact crashes can result in injuries to the driver’s or passenger’s head, neck, shoulder, and hip.
Where do T-bone accidents happen most often, and why?
Most T-bone accidents happen at intersections. These areas require vehicles to stop, yield, and obey traffic lights or signals. Although the rules appear straightforward, a moment of distraction, miscommunication, or a driver’s decision to push through a yellow light can lead to serious collisions.
Reasons T-bone accidents happen frequently at intersections include:
- Drivers misjudging the speed or distance of crossing traffic
- Confusion or inattention regarding who has the right of way
- Speeding drivers failing to see or stop for red lights
- Drunk, drowsy, or otherwise impaired driving
Intersections can become crowded, and traffic signals don’t always prevent people from making poor decisions. For this reason, a defensive approach can be helpful when crossing busy intersections.
Determining fault in a T-bone accident
In Virginia, determining liability for a T-bone collision can be nuanced. Although one driver often bears the majority of responsibility (like someone who ran a red light), liability can be shared in certain situations.
The police report, witness statements, and sometimes expert accident reconstruction can help clarify each driver’s role. While a police officer may cite one driver, insurance companies often conduct their own investigations and may try to argue that fault is shared or that no one is clearly responsible.
Why talking to a car accident attorney can help
After a serious T-bone accident, you might question whether you need a personal injury attorney. The process of negotiating with insurance adjusters, gathering medical bills, and proving fault can be overwhelming, especially while you’re trying to recover physically and emotionally.
Speaking with a car accident lawyer can remove uncertainty and burden from your shoulders. Your lawyer can build a strong case that ultimately impacts your ability to recover compensation for injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Here are a few ways an attorney builds your case and works to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries:
- Investigate the collision: An attorney collects police reports, medical records, and evidence from the scene. They might consult crash reconstruction professionals to help demonstrate fault.
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters: Insurers sometimes minimize or deny valid claims. A lawyer advocates on your behalf, working to obtain fair compensation.
- Handle paperwork: Filing a claim involves a flurry of documents and deadlines. Missing one detail could lead to less compensation. A lawyer manages these administrative tasks so you can concentrate on healing.
- Calculate damages: Your losses may extend beyond medical bills. An attorney reviews wage loss, future medical needs, pain and suffering, and more.
- Represent you if litigation becomes necessary: While many claims settle outside the courtroom, a lawyer prepares for trial if that’s the path required to seek justice.
Throughout this process, your lawyer becomes your ally. At Allen & Allen, we believe in treating every client with respect, compassion, and the same values that have guided us for more than a century. When you meet with us, you can expect to feel supported. We aren’t here to hand you a checklist of tasks; we’re here to manage those steps on your behalf.
Deadlines for filing a T-bone accident lawsuit in Virginia
In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, your claim may not be heard by the court. While two years can seem like plenty of time, the process of building a comprehensive case often takes several months of investigation, negotiation, and legal preparation.
It’s wise to speak with a lawyer sooner rather than later. Evidence can become lost or harder to track, and witnesses’ memories can fade. A timely consultation helps preserve critical information and keeps your options open.
Virginia traffic laws that may apply to T-bone accidents
Virginia has a set of traffic regulations that drivers are expected to follow. Failing to observe these laws can lead to collisions such as T-bone accidents. Here are a few that often come into play.
- Obeying traffic signals and signs: Drivers must stop at red lights and stop signs. Rolling through a stop sign or speeding up to beat a red light can contribute to an intersection crash.
- Yielding the right of way: If you’re turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic until it’s clear. If you’re entering a main road from a side street, you’re required to stop or yield as indicated by signage or signals.
- Avoiding distractions: Texting or using a handheld phone while driving is unsafe and can lead to split-second lapses in judgment. Although Virginia has laws to discourage phone use behind the wheel, distracted driving remains a significant cause of T-bone crashes and other collisions.
- Following speed limits: Speeding through an intersection reduces the chance of braking in time, making T-bone collisions more severe.
These laws can be used to demonstrate fault after a car accident. For example, if one driver violated a traffic regulation, that might be used as evidence against them.
Nonetheless, insurance companies sometimes argue that multiple factors contributed to the crash. If this happens, your attorney will gather records, photos, and witness statements to clarify exactly how the accident occurred and who was primarily responsible.
Damages that may be included in a personal injury claim
Medical bills
Medical expenses after a T-bone accident can escalate quickly. Even if you have health insurance, deductibles and co-pays add up. Personal injury cases aim to address these costs. If another driver’s negligence caused the collision, they or their insurance company can be held responsible for your medical bills. When those bills exceed their policy limits, your own coverage may come into play.
Expenses you can typically include in a claim:
- Doctor and hospital visits
- Surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Home health care or nursing assistance
- Psychological counseling or therapy
Your attorney can collect and organize all these bills, ensuring you’re seeking an amount that matches your current and anticipated future needs.
Lost income and future earning capacity
If you’re unable to work due to injuries, or your injuries force you to move to a lower-paying position, you can seek compensation for lost wages and lost earning capacity. This calculation can be detailed, involving pay stubs, tax returns, and sometimes vocational experts who assess your long-term work potential.
By having a lawyer handle these details, you avoid guesswork and reduce the risk of underestimating the financial impact of your injuries. The settlement or verdict you receive can help provide a financial cushion as you adapt to life after a serious T-bone accident.
Pain, suffering, and intangible losses
Not all losses come with an itemized price tag. A T-bone crash may leave you with chronic pain, depression, anxiety, or the inability to enjoy once-routine activities. In Virginia, personal injury law recognizes these non-economic damages. While money can’t undo what happened, it can provide resources for treatment and therapy and help you reclaim parts of your life that were disrupted.
An attorney can present evidence of the emotional and physical impact you’ve endured, whether through your own testimony or the testimony of family members, friends, and medical professionals.
What to do if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured
Sometimes, the driver responsible for a T-bone accident carries no insurance or lacks enough coverage to pay for your damages. In these cases, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help bridge the gap. In Virginia, auto insurance policies typically include UM/UIM coverage, though the specific amounts vary.
If you have UM/UIM coverage, it stands in place of the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. A car accident lawyer can guide you through filing a claim with your insurer and ensure you’re compensated under that portion of your policy.
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists in side-impact collisions
While T-bone crashes usually involve two vehicles, side-impact collisions can also happen with motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians. If a driver makes a left-hand turn without seeing a pedestrian in the crosswalk or a motorcyclist in the oncoming lane, it can lead to a devastating crash. Virginia law protects the rights of vulnerable road users, and drivers are expected to yield appropriately.
If you were injured as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist in a T-bone-like collision, the same principles of fault apply. An attorney can help you gather witness statements, traffic camera footage, and other evidence to hold the negligent party accountable.
Preparing for your free case evaluation
If you’ve never worked with a lawyer before, you might be unsure how the first meeting goes. Typically, you’ll share what happened, and the attorney will discuss the legal options that may be available.
At Allen & Allen, we strive to make this meeting comfortable. We encourage you to ask questions, express concerns, and share your goals. Our job is to listen, advise, and then put our resources to work for you.
You’re under no obligation to hire us after the initial consultation, and there’s no cost for that meeting. We find that most people feel less anxious about the legal process once they have clear information and know that help is available.
What should I bring to an initial consultation with an attorney?
If possible, bring any accident-related documents, such as police reports, medical records, photos, or insurance correspondence. If you don’t have these on hand, don’t worry—a lawyer can help gather them.
Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire an attorney?
Many personal injury attorneys, including Allen & Allen, work on a contingency fee basis. This means we’re paid only if we resolve your case successfully, and our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict.
Talk to a lawyer at Allen & Allen after a T-bone accident
A T-bone accident can be a life-changing event, causing injuries, pain, and uncertainty about how to move forward. If you’ve been in such an accident, you don’t need to handle the aftermath alone. Fault can be a complicated question, and insurance companies aren’t always cooperative.
That’s where The Allen Law Firm comes in. We advocate for you, manage the claims process, and pursue the compensation you deserve. For more than a century, we’ve guided clients in Virginia and beyond, driven by the same core values that have always defined our work: integrity, respect, compassion, and trust.
We’re committed to making your fight our fight. Contact Allen & Allen today for more information on how we can support you after a T-bone wreck. You focus on healing—let us handle the rest. Call our Richmond office at 866-388-1307 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
