A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact or broadside accident, can be catastrophic due to the angle and speed of the impact. The sides of a motor vehicle offer limited protection to the car’s occupants, often leading to serious and fatal injuries. If you get into a T-bone accident, contact our Oakland car accident attorneys for a free consultation.
We’ve won over $2B for our clients!
Injured in an Oakland T-Bone Accident?
No Fees Unless We Win.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident is a crash where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another to form the shape of an uppercase “T.” T-bone accidents occur most often in Oakland at busy intersections, such as International Boulevard and High Street. They can happen when a driver fails to obey road signs and traffic laws at an intersection, such as by running a red light or failing to yield the right-of-way.
Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions
Identifying the cause of a T-bone accident is one of the first steps toward providing victims with financial compensation. Since California is a fault state, the driver or party at fault for the crash will be held liable (financially responsible).
Common causes of T-bone accidents in Oakland include:
- Running red lights
- Rolling through stop signs
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Failing to yield to others
- Unsafe left-hand turns
- Illegal U-turns
- Traffic light malfunctions
After a T-bone collision, get medical care immediately. Then, if you can, start collecting evidence to help prove the cause of the crash. This can include photos, videos and eyewitness testimony. Under the fault law, it is up to you to prove fault to recover compensation.
Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
Fault for a T-bone accident will generally go to the driver who was negligent, or who failed to act in a reasonable and prudent manner. For example, the at-fault driver may have unsafely or unlawfully entered the intersection due to careless or reckless driving.
Determining Liability at Intersections
Naming the correct at-fault party in a T-bone accident case requires understanding California’s intersection and right-of-way laws. Most likely, one driver violated these laws, disregarding the traffic signal or sign and causing the side-impact accident. Proof of this lapse in judgment can make that driver accountable for the crash.
Why You Need an Oakland Car Accident Attorney
You may be eligible for financial compensation for many of your past and future losses as the victim of a T-bone accident in Oakland. Unfortunately, you cannot trust car insurance companies to offer a fair settlement right away. It may take hiring an attorney to get a car insurance company to treat you fairly during the claims process.
Proving Fault and Handling Insurance Disputes
An attorney can provide invaluable assistance during a T-bone accident case. You can count on a lawyer to fight for justice and maximum compensation on your behalf. This includes helping you prove that the other driver is at fault and handling insurance communications and disputes on your behalf. If necessary, a lawyer in Oakland can take your case all the way to trial for justice.
Choose a local attorney in Oakland at Jacoby & Meyers for legal knowledge and high-quality advocacy. Call (510) 616-9169 for a free T-bone accident case review.