In a split second, an ordinary drive can become a life-changing event. T-bone accidents — also called side impact crashes — are among the deadliest collisions on U.S. roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), side impact crashes account for about 22% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths.
After a T-bone accident, the fault isn't always clear. But knowing how these crashes happen and how liability is proven can protect your rights. It can also help you recover the full compensation you deserve.
At Cory Watson Attorneys, we help injury victims across Alabama and Tennessee — in places like Birmingham, Huntsville, Nashville, and Murfreesboro — stand up to insurance companies and win. Here’s everything you need to know if you're trying to figure out who's at fault in a side impact crash.
How T-Bone Accidents Happen
A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a "T" shape at the point of impact. These collisions usually happen at intersections, but they can also happen in parking lots, driveways, and anywhere vehicles cross paths.
The most common situations where T-bone accidents happen include:
- A driver runs a red light or stop sign
- A driver makes a left turn without waiting for a clear path
- A driver speeds up to "beat" a yellow light
- A distracted driver fails to notice oncoming traffic
- An impatient driver cuts across lanes without checking
In cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, and Chattanooga, major intersections such as 20th Street South or Gunbarrel Road are frequent sites of side impact crashes.
T-bone accidents can be catastrophic because the sides of cars have less protection than the front or rear. You might have a thin door, a side airbag, and little else shielding you from a fast-moving vehicle. That's why injuries in these crashes are often more serious — and why proving fault matters so much.
What Is Side-Impact Whiplash
Whiplash isn’t only caused by rear-end crashes. In a side impact crash, your body is violently jolted sideways, often without warning. This can cause the neck to whip in unnatural directions, leading to painful injuries known as side-impact whiplash.
Common symptoms of side-impact whiplash include:
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull
- Shoulder and arm pain
- Numbness or tingling in arms and fingers
- Dizziness and blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating (sometimes called "brain fog")
What makes side-impact whiplash dangerous is that symptoms often don’t show up immediately. You might walk away from the crash feeling fine, only to feel serious pain hours or days later.
If you’ve been in a T-bone accident — even a "minor" one — it’s important to get medical care right away. Medical records not only help you heal, but they also serve as key evidence when filing a personal injury claim.
Common Causes of T-Bone Car Accidents
T-bone accidents often happen because someone failed to follow basic traffic rules. Some of the most common causes include:
Running red lights and stop signs
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 2020 alone, over 900 people were killed in crashes involving a driver running a red light. Many more suffered serious injuries.
Failing to yield
Failing to yield at intersections is a major cause of side impact crashes. This includes left-hand turns across oncoming traffic and failing to give the right of way at four-way stops.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is now one of the leading causes of all types of crashes. Whether it’s texting, checking GPS, eating, or adjusting the radio, any distraction can lead to a T-bone accident in seconds.
Drunk and impaired driving
According to the NHTSA, about 31% of all traffic crash deaths in 2020 involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Alcohol and drugs reduce reaction times and decision-making abilities, making side impact crashes much more likely.
Speeding
Speeding shortens the time drivers have to react to traffic signals and other vehicles. It also makes collisions much more deadly. In cities like Montgomery and Memphis, where speed limits can shift suddenly from highway speeds to urban limits, this is a big issue.
Poor weather conditions
Rain, ice, and fog contribute to side impact crashes by reducing visibility and making roads slick. Drivers often misjudge distances in bad weather, leading to dangerous intersection crashes.
In nearly all these cases, the driver who broke a traffic law or acted carelessly will be considered at fault. But you’ll still need solid evidence to back up your claim.
How Your Attorney Will Prove Liability
Proving who’s at fault in a T-bone accident isn’t always simple. Insurance companies often try to argue that both drivers share blame — which can reduce or eliminate your payout under Alabama's contributory negligence law and Tennessee’s modified comparative fault law.
Here’s how an experienced attorney from Cory Watson Attorneys will work to prove liability:
Investigating the accident scene
We gather all available evidence: skid marks, broken glass, vehicle resting positions, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
Collecting eyewitness statements
Independent witnesses can be powerful. They can confirm who had the green light or who failed to yield.
Analyzing the physical damage
The pattern of vehicle damage can reveal the angle and force of the collision. If your vehicle’s side was struck and the other driver’s front end was damaged, it can show you had the right of way.
Reviewing police reports
Police often document important facts at the scene, like who admitted fault or which traffic laws were violated. We use these reports as supporting evidence.
Subpoenaing phone records
If we suspect the other driver was texting or using their phone, we can request their phone records as evidence of distracted driving.
Working with accident reconstruction experts
In complex cases, we bring in experts who can recreate the accident scene using scientific data. They can calculate speeds, angles, and vehicle movements to strengthen your case.
What Damages Can You Recover After a T-Bone Accident
After a T-bone crash, you can recover compensation for all losses caused by the accident. These typically include:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
In cases of reckless or intentional misconduct (like drunk driving), you might also be eligible for punitive damages.
At Cory Watson Attorneys, we fight aggressively to make sure you get every dollar you deserve — not just what the insurance company wants to offer.
Final Thoughts
T-bone accidents are violent, terrifying experiences. When another driver’s carelessness causes you harm, you shouldn’t have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and insurance negotiations on your own.
Cory Watson Attorneys is here to help. With offices in Alabama and Tennessee, we serve clients from Birmingham to Nashville and everywhere in between. Our team has decades of experience holding negligent drivers accountable and securing strong financial recoveries for injury victims.If you or someone you love has been hurt in a side impact crash, call us today. Let’s talk about your case. Your consultation is free, and you don’t pay unless we win for you.