Side Impact Car Crashes: Fault, Causes & Much More

A side impact or T-bone car crash is statistically one of the most dangerous car accidents in the US.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, side impact collisions were responsible for 22% (5,697) of all vehicle occupant deaths from crashes in 2022, making it the second most fatal type of car accident, topped only by head-on collisions.

Given how common side impact accidents are, drivers must understand them, their causes, and the steps to take after one.

What Are Side Impact Collisions

A side impact collision occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another, often forming a T-shaped alignment at the moment of impact. 

Consequently, these incidents are frequently termed T-bone or right-angle collisions.

These crashes are prevalent at intersections when one driver does not have the right of way, in parking lots when vehicles are backing out, or in any other situation where drivers do not adequately follow traffic rules. 

For example, a side impact may occur when an oncoming vehicle travels at a high speed, leaving the driver with little to no time to slow down before striking the side of another car.

How Are They Caused?

Various factors can cause side-impact crashes, often linked to negligent drivers or failure to obey traffic rules. Some common causes include:

Traffic lights, stop or yield signs, and other traffic rules typically determine the right of way, which is what determines which driver is supposed to proceed at intersections. 

However, some impatient drivers disregard traffic rules by failing to yield to the driver with the right of way. 

Due to this failure to yield, most side-impact crashes at intersections occur.

Drivers who fail to yield when they should are likely to encounter traffic going in another direction when they enter an intersection, increasing the likelihood of a side-impact crash.

It is pretty easy to get distracted while driving, and some of the most common sources of distraction are your phone, car settings, other passengers in the car, or even billboards. 

However, distracted drivers pay less attention to the road and may fail to see traffic signs or other drivers as a result.

When distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road, they may make mistakes like keeping unsafe following distances, stopping after the stop line at an intersection, or failing to notice a moving vehicle behind them when reversing out of a parking lot. 

All those mistakes can easily cause side-impact crashes.

3. Reckless Driving

Driving without regard for the safety of other drivers is another likely cause of side impact accidents. Overspeeding, for instance, is a form of reckless driving that reduces reaction time, making it difficult for drivers to stop safely.

Even when a driver sees a collision ahead, swerving or avoiding it becomes much more difficult when driving at high speeds.

The force of impact is also more significant at high speeds, increasing the chances of death, severe injuries to occupants, and severe property damage. 

Other reckless driving practices, such as illegal U-turns or dangerous lane changes, can also lead to severe T-bone collisions. 

These sudden, unpredictable maneuvers make it difficult for other drivers to anticipate and react appropriately to prevent the collision.

4. Driving under the influence

Drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances are impaired and far more likely to make poor decisions that significantly increase the likelihood of a side-impact accident. 

Impaired drivers may struggle with judging distance and speed, fail to stay within their lanes, drift into oncoming traffic, or miss traffic signals, leading to crashes.

All states recognize the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances, hence their laws to criminalize such behavior.

For example, Illinois’ 625 ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/11-501 makes it unlawful for a person to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Similarly, West Virginia’s W. Va. Code § 17C-5-2(b) states that driving a vehicle while impaired is a felony offense, punishable by up to three years of incarceration. 

These laws show the serious consequences of impaired driving and aim to prevent such behavior.

5. Weather conditions

Slippery or icy roads caused by bad weather can contribute to side-impact crashes by making it easier for drivers to lose control of their vehicles.

However, bad weather does not make a driver less liable for an accident made worse by their negligence or recklessness.

Why They Are Often Very Serious

Side-impact collisions tend to be more severe than head-on collisions because the side panels of most vehicles' have less structural protection. 

While crumple zones and airbags absorb impact in front and rear collisions, side panels provide much less cushioning, putting occupants at greater risk. 

Therefore, when a car is struck from the side, the force of the crash is likely concentrated on the area of the vehicle where passengers are sitting, directly exposing them to most of the impact.

The risk of serious injuries is more severe if the windows are shattered or the doors are crushed, especially when the occupant is seated directly on the impacted side of the vehicle. 

A 2000 study also showed that side-impact collisions are likely to affect more children than adults since children often sit in the backseat, making them closer to the point of impact.

Side impact crashes often result in:

• Head and neck injuries: Without the buffer of a front-end crumple zone, passengers are more likely to experience head trauma, whiplash, or other serious neck injuries.
• Broken bones: The force of the impact can cause fractures, particularly to the ribs, pelvis, or arms, as passengers are often thrown against the door.
• Internal injuries: The impact can cause life-threatening damage to internal organs, particularly in crashes that occur at high speeds.
• Fatalities: In extreme cases, side impact crashes can result in deaths, particularly when the vehicle is struck at high speeds or by larger vehicles like trucks or SUVs.

Determining Fault in Side Impact Car Crashes

Proving fault in side-impact crashes is not always straightforward. And one of the vehicles or its occupants sustaining the most damage from the collision is not evidence that the other driver caused the accident. 

When a fault in a side impact collision is not apparent, it may evolve into a highly complex case where it is just one driver’s word against the other’s.

Typically, the fault is established by determining which driver had the right of way and whether either party was driving negligently or without proper care. 

The following factors are usually taken into consideration:

Type of car damage

Certain types of vehicle damage may provide clues that will be considered when evaluating liability. 

For instance, damage to the driver’s side of a car caused by another vehicle’s front end often indicates that the striking vehicle failed to yield or did not ensure the road was clear before entering an intersection.

Also, damage to specific sides of both vehicles helps paint a clear picture of how the crash occurred.

For instance, if a vehicle making a left turn shows damage to its front, while the other car has damage on its front-right side, it strongly suggests that the left-turning driver may be at fault for failing to yield. 

Courts use damage patterns and other evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine which driver acted negligently.

Traffic footage

Traffic camera footage or witness statements can help establish who had the right of way. Hence, if one vehicle ran a red light or failed to stop at a stop sign, they would likely be held responsible for the crash.

Failure to yield

In many side-impact crashes, one driver may have failed to yield the right of way. 

For example, suppose one driver arrives at a stop sign intersection after another driver but fails to yield to the driver who came first, and both drivers passing through the interaction at the same time cause a side-impact collision. 

In that case, the driver who failed to yield will be liable.

Speeding or reckless driving

If a driver was overspeeding or engaging in any other reckless driving behavior, they could be liable for causing the crash, even if the driver had the right of way.

Vehicle defects

In rare cases, a malfunction such as brake failure could contribute to the accident. The vehicle manufacturer or repair shop may share some liability in such cases.

What To Do If You've Involved In A Side Impact Car Crash

The aftermath of a side-impact car crash is likely to be devastating, with significant property damage and possible injuries. If you’ve been in one, and you are still conscious after the accident, you must remain calm and take the following steps:

Prioritize your Health

Given the severity of side-impact car crashes, the first thing to do is to take a second to assess your condition and that of everyone involved in the accident, especially those on the side of impact. If anyone is injured in any manner, call 911 for medical assistance.

Even if the injuries are minor and you “feel fine,” it is crucial to seek medical attention as injuries from side impact crashes, like internal injuries or whiplash, may be more severe than they appear at the time of the accident. It may take days or even weeks for you to feel the pain.

Document the accident

The best way to prove the fault is through a preponderance of evidence the best time to gather critical evidence is immediately after the accident except if you have sustained severe injuries, in which case you must seek treatment immediately and nothing else.

But if you can, start preparing your account of the accident, which must include:

• The laws of various states require drivers to exchange details following an accident—for instance, Texas’ Transp. Code §550.023 requires that drivers share their name, address, contact information, vehicle registration number, and vehicle insurance information. 
• Record the time and date of the accident.
• Take a picture of the location showing the cars' positions, weather conditions, and all relevant road signs.
• Take pictures or videos of damage to all vehicles from different angles.
• If you notice any cameras that may have captured the accident, you should obtain any CCTV recordings.
• Dash Cam footage – if you have any.
• If possible, collect the contact details of eyewitnesses. This may be of use in proving fault.

Consult a car accident attorney

Given the complexities of side-impact car accidents, you need an experienced lawyer as your ally to navigate the murky waters of insurance claims or personal injury action.

Should you desire to seek legal remedy for your injuries and losses, the major challenge you will face is proving that the other driver was at fault, and a skilled car accident lawyer is your best chance at discharging this burden of proof.

Even if you don’t plan to pursue a claim for personal injuries or property damage, it is still essential to consult a lawyer immediately to protect yourself from liabilities, as the other driver may bring the claims against you or your insurer.

How The Accident Helpers Can Help You

Have you or someone you love been in a side-impact car accident? 

If yes, you are probably wondering how to get a skilled car accident attorney to help gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, or represent you in court if necessary.

Well, look no further. With The Accident Helper’s network of lawyers, we can connect you to the best and most experienced attorneys ready to take your case.

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All you have to do is contact us today, speak with one of our consultants, and provide us with the facts of your case. 

We will then provide you with options for legal representation within hours. Also, our services are free; you won’t have to pay a dime.

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