A T-bone accident can lead to devastating injuries, particularly for anyone sitting on the side of the vehicle struck in the side. If you suffered injuries or even severe vehicle damage in a T-bone collision in Atlanta, you may find yourself wondering exactly who bears liability for the accident and how you can best determine liability.
Who Bears Fault for a T-Bone Accident in Atlanta?
Most often, the driver of the vehicle that strikes the other in the side will bear liability for a T-bone collision. However, a look at the cause of the accident can make it easier to determine exactly who bears liability.
In addition, you may want to take a look at other potential factors that may have contributed to a T-bone collision. While the driver that caused the accident will most often be responsible for the accident, you may need to talk to a car accident lawyer about other factors that may have contributed to the accident. For example, if brake failure contributed to the accident, you may need to have your lawyer look into factors like why the brakes failed. If an employee was on the clock, driving for work, when the accident occurred, the driver’s employer might share liability for the accident.
Working with a lawyer can make it easier for you to look into all the factors that may have contributed to the T-bone collision.
Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions
T-Bone accidents can be caused due to a variety of potential factors, including bad weather conditions and a potentially dangerous intersection. However, driver error often contributes heavily to T-bone collisions.
- Speeding
A driver speeding toward an intersection may fail to see a stop sign, traffic light, or even crossing road until they are on top of it. A speeding driver may have a hard time stopping in time to avoid a devastating T-bone collision.
- Distraction
Despite knowing the potential dangers of driving while distracted, many drivers nevertheless fall into the trap of engaging in a variety of potentially distracting behaviors while behind the wheel. The cliché is, of course, a driver checking a cell phone; but many drivers may also take a look down at the radio or air controls, eat and drink behind the wheel, or even get lost in conversation with another passenger.
- Failure to Yield
Most intersections clearly lay out who has right of way. A driver who tries to force their way through the intersection, ignoring right of way, may end up involved in an accident due to failure to yield. Failure to yield when merging into traffic on an interstate or highway may also, in some cases, result in a T-bone collision.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals
Both red lights and stop signs clearly designate who has the right to move through the intersection when. Some drivers, however, may ignore those signals. Sometimes, drivers will try to run red lights or stop signs to save time. Ignoring traffic signals, however, can result in a dangerous T-bone collision.
- Brake Failure
In some cases, brake failure can lead to a dangerous T-bone collision. Failed brakes can make it impossible for the driver to come to a safe stop. In the case of brake failure, several entities may share liability for the accident.
- If the owner of the vehicle and the driver are different people, and the driver failed to take care of needed maintenance on the vehicle, the owner may bear liability for the accident.
- If maintenance was recently performed on the brakes, a mechanic that worked on the vehicle may bear liability for a failure caused by the mechanic’s negligence.
- Sometimes, the manufacturer of the vehicle, or of the brake parts, may bear liability for damages caused by brakes that did not meet appropriate safety standards.
If a brake failure contributed to your T-bone collision, you may need to talk to a lawyer about the potential cause of that brake failure. A car accident lawyer can connect you with an expert who can examine the vehicle and identify the likely cause of brake failure.
- Intoxication
A drunk driver can commit any number of errors that can increase the risk of an accident, including a T-bone collision. Drunk drivers often have problems with their vision and their control of their vehicles. As a result, they may end up flying through an intersection and striking another vehicle. If you suspect that the driver who caused your T-bone collision was drunk, make sure you speak with the police at the scene of the accident.
Do You Need a Lawyer’s Help After a T-Bone Collision in Atlanta?
If you suffered injuries in a T-bone collision, you may need an attorney to help you move forward with your claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer today to learn more about your right to compensation and how you can best file a claim.
