A T-bone crash can turn a normal drive into an emergency in seconds. Side impacts often cause serious injuries because the side of a vehicle has less space to absorb a hit than the front or rear.
At the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell, we help people across California after intersection crashes, including T-bone collisions. We offer free consultations, and we handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Quick answers people search for
What is a T-bone accident?
A T-bone accident (side-impact collision) happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape.
Where do T-bone crashes happen most often?
Intersections: red lights, stop signs, left turns, and failures to yield.
Is a T-bone crash automatically the other driver’s fault?
Not always. Many are caused by red-light or stop-sign violations, but fault can be disputed, and California allows shared fault in many cases.
What causes most T-bone accidents?
Most side-impact crashes start with an intersection decision made too late or without a clear view:
- Running a red light or pushing through a stale yellow
- Rolling through a stop sign
- Failing to yield on an unprotected left turn
- Distracted driving (phone use, navigation, looking away)
- Impaired driving (alcohol or drugs)
- Speeding or driving too fast for traffic and visibility
- Blocked sightlines (parked cars, landscaping, trucks, glare, rain)
Common California intersection rules that matter in T-bone cases
Insurance companies argue “right of way” constantly after a T-bone crash. These California rules come up again and again:
Red lights
Drivers facing a steady red light must stop and remain stopped until a signal to proceed is shown, with limited exceptions for permitted turns after stopping when allowed.
Stop signs
Drivers approaching a stop sign must stop at the limit line, crosswalk, or the point nearest the intersection where they can see approaching traffic.
Left turns
A driver turning left (or making a U-turn) must yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard and keep yielding until the turn can be made with reasonable safety.
These rules help establish liability, but real cases still turn on evidence: timing, speed, visibility, and what each driver did in the seconds before impact.
Injuries we often see in T-bone crashes
Side impacts frequently cause:
- Head injuries and concussions (including traumatic brain injury)
- Neck and back injuries
- Rib fractures and chest injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Pelvis and hip injuries
- Shoulder, arm, and leg fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries that worsen over days
Even if you feel “mostly fine” at first, it is common for symptoms to show up later. Getting checked is often the safest call for your health and your documentation.
What to do after a T-bone accident
If you can do so safely, these steps can protect both your health and your claim.
Get medical care and follow through
Go to urgent care or the ER if you have head impact, confusion, chest pain, severe pain, numbness, or worsening symptoms. Keep copies of discharge papers and follow-up instructions.
Call law enforcement and get the report number
A report can help when the other driver changes their story later.
Take the right photos and video
- All vehicle damage (including the exact point of impact)
- Vehicle positions, lanes, and traffic controls (signals, stop signs, lane arrows)
- Skid marks, debris field, and final resting positions
- Any blocked sightlines (parked cars, bushes, work trucks)
- Visible injuries
Identify witnesses and preserve video fast
Intersection crashes are often captured by:
- Nearby businesses
- Home doorbell cameras
- Dashcams
- Traffic cameras (availability varies)
Video is often deleted quickly. We like to move fast to preserve it.
Be careful with recorded statements
Insurance adjusters may push for a recorded statement right away. It is fine to share basic facts, but avoid guessing about speed, timing, or “who had the green” if you are not sure.
Who is at fault in a T-bone accident in California?
Many T-bone cases involve one driver clearly violating a signal or failing to yield. Others are disputed, especially when the at-fault driver claims:
- “I had the yellow.”
- “They sped up.”
- “They came out of nowhere.”
- “They were distracted.”
- “They changed lanes in the intersection.”
California uses pure comparative negligence, which means responsibility can be shared and a person’s compensation can be reduced by their percentage of fault rather than barred entirely.
What compensation may be available
Depending on the facts, an injury claim may include:
- Medical bills and future care
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Every case is different, and coverage limits can affect what is realistically available.
Deadlines that can affect your case
Standard deadlines
California’s general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit is 2 years from the date of injury, and property damage claims are commonly 3 years.
If a public entity may be involved
If the crash involves a roadway defect or dangerous condition on public property, special claim rules can apply and the claim deadline is often six months.
Waiting can cost you evidence and options, even when you think you have time.
T-bone accident FAQ
What if the other driver ran a red light but says they had a yellow?
This is common. Witnesses, video, vehicle damage patterns, and timing evidence can matter.
What if I was turning left when I was hit?
Left-turn T-bone crashes often involve arguments about whether the oncoming vehicle was close enough to be a hazard and whether the left-turn driver yielded as required.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. California’s comparative fault system allows recovery even if you share fault, with the amount typically reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
How long do I have to take legal action?
Often 2 years for injury and 3 years for property damage, with shorter deadlines if a public entity is involved.
Talk with a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer about your T-bone crash
If you were injured in a T-bone accident anywhere in California, we can help you understand fault issues, preserve evidence, and handle insurance communications. Contact the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell for a free consultation. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
