Houston T-Bone Car Accidents

Houston residents deal with high-traffic conditions, congested roadways, and a soaring number of daily traffic accidents. Despite having only eight percent of the population, over 16% of the state’s traffic accidents occur in Houston, including dangerous T-bone collisions.

Also known as side-impact collisions, broadside accidents, or right-angle collisions, T-bone accidents most commonly occur in intersections when the front of one car collides into the side of another. In Texas, an astonishing 1,030 people were killed in car accidents at intersections in 2022.

When a driver’s negligent or reckless action behind the wheel causes a T-bone accident, injured victims should not be left responsible for damages like medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. A car accident attorney in Houston can help injury victims by navigating a complex car accident claim while they focus on healing from their injuries.

Common Injuries in T-Bone Car Crashes in Houston

Around 20% of car accidents in Houston are T-bone accidents, causing serious injuries to drivers and passengers. Because a T-bone accident causes a point of impact at the side of the vehicle, the driver and passengers lack the buffer of the engine or trunk of the car that’s present in rear or front collisions. Backseat passengers are at higher risk of injuries in T-Bone accidents in Houston compared to other accident types due to the relatively thin layer of metal and plastic between occupants and the impact.

Common injuries in T-bone accidents include the following:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Broken bones
• Thoracic injuries/internal organ damage
• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic limb loss

T-bone accidents almost always occur due to driver error. When a driver’s negligent actions cause a T-bone accident in Houston, according to the state’s fault-based insurance laws, they are responsible for paying for damages to the victims, typically through their auto insurance policy.

How Do T-Bone Accidents Occur?

Side-impact collisions occur when one vehicle hits another one broadside, forming a T shape. They occur in the following ways:

• A driver runs through a red light or stop sign and hits a vehicle already in the intersection
• A driver exits a driveway or parking lot and hits a vehicle already in the roadway broadside
• A driver on a sidestreet enters a major roadway and collides with a car passing on the roadway
• A driver skids sideways and impacts another vehicle

It can be difficult to determine fault in a T-bone accident unless it occurs in an intersection with a traffic camera. Often, both drivers dispute who had the right of way when the accident occurred.

Who is Liable for a T-Bone Accident in Houston?

When T-bone accidents occur and cause significant property damage and injuries, it often takes a skilled accident attorney to examine the evidence, interview eyewitnesses and consult with accident reconstruction experts to document evidence of liability. Proving liability in a comparative negligence insurance state like Texas requires showing evidence that the at-fault party owed a duty of care to take reasonable measures to prevent causing injuries to others on the roadway, they breached this duty, and their breach of duty directly caused the accident and injuries

In most cases, the liable party will be another driver (or several other drivers) However, in certain situations, other parties may be legally responsible. For instance, if a defective vehicle epark such as a brake or electrical component failed and prevented a driver from stopping, the vehicle or parts manufacturer may be liable.

If You or a loved one were injured in a side impact or T-bone collision, it may be in your best interest to speak with an attorney. An attorney can examine the facts of your case and fully explain your legal options.