T-bone accidents can cause serious injuries, making them among the most dangerous types of car crashes. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), they account for nearly one-quarter of passenger car accident fatalities.
In a T-bone collision, one car strikes another directly on the side. Unlike the front or rear, the side of a vehicle has less structural protection. This lack of protection, combined with the high speeds and sudden nature of many T-bone crashes, increases the risk of severe injuries for accident victims.
Most T-bone accidents occur at intersections. Faults in these crashes often depend on who has the right of way. The at-fault driver may have run a red light, ignored a stop sign, or failed to yield. Determining fault can be complicated, especially if both drivers claim they have the right of way. Witnesses, traffic signals, and other evidence are essential in resolving these disputes.
If you’ve suffered car accident injuries in a T-bone collision, understanding who was at fault is critical to filing a car accident claim. Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Honolulu can help accident victims seek compensation through personal injury protection or a lawsuit. Knowing your rights when dealing with the insurance company can make a big difference in your case.
How Fault is Determined in Hawaii T-Bone Accidents
In Hawaii, determining fault in a T-bone car accident involves analyzing evidence from multiple sources. This helps car accident victims and their personal injury lawyers build a clear case. Fault is typically assigned by reviewing police reports, eyewitness testimony, traffic camera footage, and vehicle damage. Each plays a role in understanding how the accident happened and who may be responsible.
1. Police Reports
When T-bone accidents happen, law enforcement officers are often the first to arrive at the accident scene. They assess the situation by:
- Collecting evidence
- Taking notes
- Speaking with involved parties
If they believe distracted driving or another traffic violation caused the crash, they may issue a citation to the at-fault driver. The police report provides critical details about road conditions, weather, and statements from those involved. Auto insurance companies often rely on these reports when deciding liability in a T-bone accident case.
2. Eyewitness Testimony
Eyewitnesses play a major role in determining fault. Their accounts can help clarify how the accident happened, especially when there’s conflicting information from drivers. Witness testimony can support claims made by car accident victims or point to potential distracted driving. Personal injury lawyers use these statements to strengthen their case and establish who caused the crash.
3. Traffic Camera Footage
Many intersections in Hawaii have surveillance or traffic cameras that can record the exact moment of a T-bone car accident. This footage provides unbiased evidence of how the accident occurred. Traffic camera footage can be essential in proving fault in cases involving serious internal injuries or significant vehicle damage, especially when insurance companies dispute liability.
4. Vehicle Damage Analysis
Examining the vehicles involved helps determine the point of impact, which can indicate how the accident unfolded. In T-bone accidents, damage is usually concentrated on the side of one vehicle and the front of the other. This can show which driver had the right of way and which one may have been at fault. Auto insurance companies often use this analysis when deciding on claim payouts.
Factors to Consider When Proving Fault for a T-Bone Accident
Proving fault for a T-bone accident often comes down to the facts. You may rely on any of the following to prove fault:
- Who had a stop sign or stop light? Who had the right of way?
- What did the witnesses see? Was the light red or green?
- Did either vehicle show signs of braking before the crash?
- Are there recorders in either vehicle or vehicle cameras? What do they show?
- Was the party with the right of way speeding, such that the driver entering the roadway couldn’t gauge whether they posed a hazard to the intersection?
- Did a third vehicle push a vehicle into the intersection?
- Is there accident reconstruction that could explain the events of the crash?
Fault for a T-bone accident often relies heavily on witness testimony and videos, if available. It is important to thoroughly investigate and document the causes of the crash to determine the right to financial compensation.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents in Hawaii
T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. These accidents can be serious and often lead to severe injuries. In Hawaii, t-bone accidents occur frequently due to driver behavior and road conditions.
- Distracted Driving: One of the most common causes of t-bone car accidents is distracted driving. Drivers texting, using a phone, or engaging in other distractions may miss traffic signals or stop signs, leading to dangerous collisions at intersections.
- Failure to Yield: Many t-bone accidents happen when drivers fail to yield the right of way. This often occurs at intersections with stop signs or flashing yellow lights. Ignoring traffic rules can put other drivers at risk and result in serious injuries.
- Speeding Through Intersections: Speeding increases the likelihood and severity of a t-bone car accident. Drivers who speed through intersections may not have enough time to react if another vehicle crosses their path. The higher the speed, the more severe the impact and potential for internal injuries.
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Drivers who run red lights or stop signs create dangerous conditions that frequently lead to side-impact collisions. In many Hawaii car accidents, failure to stop results in high-impact crashes, often requiring car accident victims to seek medical attention or personal injury lawyers for help.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a significant cause of t-bone accidents in Hawaii. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, making it more likely for them to cause an accident at an intersection.
- Poor Visibility or Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, or low light can reduce visibility on the road. Poor weather makes it harder for drivers to see traffic signals, other vehicles, or pedestrians. In these conditions, t-bone accidents happen more frequently, especially if drivers do not adjust their speed.
- Auto Insurance Issues After T-Bone Accidents: After a T-bone accident, car accident victims often have to deal with an auto insurance company to cover medical expenses and vehicle damage. Working with personal injury lawyers can help ensure fair compensation, especially in complex t-bone accident cases involving serious internal injuries.
Hawaii Traffic Violations that May Result in a T-Bone Accident
T-bone accidents are any accident with a front impact on one vehicle and a side impact on another. There may be many specific traffic violations that cause a T-bone crash to occur. These include:
- Vehicle Turning – Haw. Stat. § 291C-62 – When turning onto a road, alley or driveway, a driver must yield to any vehicle or persons who are already in the intersection and close enough to be an immediate hazard.
- Right of Way/Who Turns First – Haw. Stat. § 291C-61 – When two vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, the one on the right goes first.
- Stop or Yield Intersection – Haw. Stat. § 291C-63 – A vehicle approaching an intersection must stop as required. Then, they must yield the right of way to any vehicle that is already on the highway that poses an immediate hazard. If there is a yield sign, the driver must yield in the same manner so as to avoid being a hazard to other vehicles.
- If there is a crash, and there is a stop or yield sign, the party that didn’t wait until the road was free of hazards is presumed at fault because they did not yield the right of way.
- Stop Lights/Traffic Control Devices – Haw. Stat. § 291C-31 – Drivers must obey traffic control devices, like stop lights.
- Speeding, Driving Too Fast for Conditions – Haw. Stat. § 291C-101 and § 291C-102 – A person may not drive too fast for road conditions and potential hazards present. They must observe the speed limit.
- Driving a Defective Vehicle – Haw. Stat. § 286-21 – Any vehicle driven on the roads must be in good working condition.
Examples of Fault for a T-bone Accident
Here are some examples of fault in a T-bone accident:
- At an intersection, only one direction has a stop sign. Vehicle A is traveling through with no stop sign. Vehicle B’s direction of travel has a stop sign. Even though Vehicle A has the right to proceed freely into the intersection, Vehicle B cuts them off. A crash occurs. Vehicle B is at fault.
- Vehicle C and Vehicle D are traveling in opposite directions. They arrive at the intersection at the same time. Vehicle C is on the right, so they should go first. Vehicle D doesn’t wait. Vehicle D proceeds into the intersection. A crash occurs. Vehicle D is at fault.
- Vehicle E is traveling through an intersection. They have a green light. Vehicle F is waiting at the stop light to turn left. Vehicle F turns in front of Vehicle E, even though Vehicle E had a green light. A crash occurs. Vehicle F is at fault.
- Vehicle H stops at a red light. Vehicle G is behind them. Vehicle J is coming from the other way, with a green light. As Vehicle G approaches the intersection, their brakes fail. They rear-end Vehicle H, pushing Vehicle H into the intersection. Vehicle J T-bones Vehicle H. The driver of Vehicle G is at fault for having defective equipment.
Call an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney for T-Bone Accidents in Hawaii
Recovering compensation after a T-bone accident can be challenging. Auto insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or shift blame. A personal injury attorney can protect your rights and help build a strong case. They will gather evidence from the accident scene, handle communications with insurers, and guide you through each step of the process.
At Recovery Law Center, we have experience helping victims of Hawaii car accidents, including T-bone collisions. We understand how these accidents affect your life physically, emotionally, and financially. Our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you pursue fair compensation for all types of damages. Schedule a consultation with our personal injury lawyers.
