The majority of car accidents are two-car collisions, including car accidents in Texas. The most common two-car collisions in Austin and elsewhere are angle collisions or T-bone accidents. In 2022— the most recent year of fully analyzed data—there were 8,800 T-bone accident fatalities. T-bone accidents make up 44.9% of two-car collisions, making these car accident claims in Austin unfortunately common. Under the fault-based insurance laws in Texas, it’s necessary to prove another driver’s fault for a T-bone accident in Austin before you can recover compensation for your damages, including property damage to your car and personal injury compensation.
Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions In Austin
T-bone accidents are also known as angle collisions or broadside accidents. They occur when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another car, forming a T shape. They most commonly occur in intersections, or when a car exits a parking lot onto a roadway. Common causes of T-bone collisions in Austin and elsewhere include the following:
- Failure to yield the right of way at an intersection
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Improper left turns
- Intentionally running a red light
- Brake failure
- A strong rear-end collision that bumps a car in front forward into an intersection
T-bone accidents are a common cause of car accident injuries and fatalities and are one of the most common causes of serious injuries to back-seat motorists compared to rear-end or head-on collisions.
What Types of Injuries Occur in Austin T-Bone Accidents?
Front-end and rear-end collisions cause serious injuries, but motorists inside the vehicle have some protection from direct impact through the car’s engine in the front end and the trunk in the rear. The side of a vehicle is the thinnest section with little protection between the vehicle occupants and the direct impact. Injuries occur from the crash force of the collision and also from blunt force trauma as the door and side of the car collapse inward. Common injuries in T-bone accidents include the following:
- Fractures, including of the limbs, ribs, clavicle, hips, and pelvis
- Soft-tissue injuries to shoulders and knees
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
In the worst cases, T-bone accidents can cause fatal injuries to motorists, typically those in the vehicle hit broadside due to the little protection afforded by the side of a vehicle.
Liability and Comparative Negligence in Texas Angle Collision Accidents
It often takes a thorough investigation to determine the liable party in a T-bone accident in Austin or elsewhere. It may seem that the driver who hits another car broadside is always at fault, but suppose they were the driver with the right of way and the other driver was present in the intersection when they did not have the right of way. Proving liability to recover damages from the at-fault party’s insurance requires demonstrating the following:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of reasonable care to others on the road
- They breached their duty of care by negligent or reckless driving
- Their negligent breach of duty directly caused the injury
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
Common damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
How Can a T-Bone Accident Lawyer In Austin Help?
Instead of taking on a challenging claim against insurance companies that may prioritize profits at your expense, call the Austin car crash lawyers at Shaw Cowart, LLP to safeguard your best interests throughout the process. With Shaw Cowart on your side, you can focus on recovering from your physical injuries.