Who Is At Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident in Destin?

T-bones are one of the most serious types of car accidents. They often involve higher speeds and occur on the sides of vehicles where safety features may not be present or as effective. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, T-bone accidents make up nearly one-quarter of all motor vehicle accidents. 

If you find yourself as a victim of a T-bone car accident in Destin, Florida, you might be wondering about who may be to blame for your injuries. Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys can review the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine financial responsibility. 

What Is a T-Bone Car Accident?

A T-bone accident is a collision in which one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle head-on, forming the shape of the letter “T.” These accidents often cause serious injuries because they involve head-on collision injuries for one driver and side-impact injuries for the other driver. Many times, these accidents cause serious injuries, such as:

Because of the severe nature of these injuries, it is often necessary to pursue the at-fault driver for accident-related expenses and step outside of Florida’s no-fault system.

Common Causes of T Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents often occur when one driver fails to yield to a driver who has the right-of-way, such as when one driver turns left into the oncoming path of another driver. Common causes of T-bone accidents include:

  • Driver inattention or distraction
  • Speeding
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Impaired driving
  • Running a red light 

To hold the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries, you will need to show they were at fault for the accident. 

Who Is At Fault in a T-Bone Accident?

There may be various individuals who are at fault in a T-bone accident, including:

The Driver Who Was Turning Left 

Many T-bone accidents occur at intersections or other locations where drivers are turning left. Under Florida law, the driver turning left is required to wait for a clear path before turning. If they do not wait for a safe time to turn and do not yield the other driver’s right-of-way, they may cause an accident and be responsible for resulting damages. 

The Driver Who Broke The Law

It may be necessary to carefully evaluate the actions of all drivers involved to determine who violated a traffic law. For example, one of the drivers may have run a red light or may have been speeding at the time of the accident. All drivers are expected to obey traffic laws and can be held responsible for damages that result from their carelessness. 

Both Drivers

In some T-bone car crash situations, both drivers may have contributed to the accident. For example, the driver driving straight may have been speeding while the driver turning left may have failed to yield the right-of-way. In these situations, Florida’s new modified comparative negligence system would apply. 

Under this system, injured victims can still pursue compensation even if they contributed to the accident, but they cannot be more responsible for the accident than the person they’re suing. Additionally, the amount of their compensation is reduced by their own degree of fault. 

Proving Fault for a T-Bone Crash in Destin, Florida

You can help prove fault for a T-bone accident with evidence such as:

  • The accident report that cites the other driver for a traffic violation or the specific circumstances that support the other driver was at fault for the crash
  • Video footage of the accident
  • Witness statements regarding the actions of each driver
  • Pictures of the accident scene 
  • Vehicle damage that shows where the vehicles impacted

An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate the accident and gather evidence to establish fault. From there, your attorney can handle every further aspect of your claim for compensation while you focus on your recovery.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243

Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297