A broadside collision is a T-bone accident where the front of one car or truck crashes into the side of another vehicle.
Broadside accidents most often occur at intersections when one of the drivers disobeys the traffic device like a stop sign, red light, or fails to yield at a yield sign. T-bone crashes can lead to death or serious injuries to the drivers and passengers of the vehicles involved in the crash.
Drivers and passengers may suffer from traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, broken bones in arms and legs, and spinal cord injuries.
One reason broadside impacts result in so many serious injuries is the vehicles are often knocked off course and into a second collision. The vehicle broadsided can be suddenly forced to go sideways or spun, either toward the roadside or toward the direction of oncoming traffic. Likewise, the force of a T-bone collision will often spin the striking vehicle in the direction that the other vehicle was moving. After a vehicle has been thrown off its intended course, the occupants are at risk of further collisions and traumas, crashing into such objects as trees, light poles, guardrails, telephone poles, and other vehicles. If the force of the collision is significant enough, the broadsided vehicle may roll over completely, especially if it is knocked onto a ditch or slop on the side of the road.
Another factor that increases the number of severe injuries in T-bone collisions is the close proximity between the impact point and the driver or passenger in the broadsided vehicle. Obviously, there is much more protection from a front or rear-end impact collision because of the front and rear bumper of your car than there is between you and your car door. Consequently, side impact occupants have less protection from a broadside crash than you would have from a head-on or rear end accident. While most modern vehicles manufactured today have side-impact air bags and crumple zones designed to absorb and redistribute the force of the impact energy coming from the side, a fast moving truck or car that hits a point just a foot or so away from the driver or passenger will do harm - serious harm. With the broadsiding vehicle putting its full force and weight straight into the relatively unprotected side of the other vehicle, T-bone accidents are even more likely to cause death or serious injuries than sideswipe accidents.
The law of the road applicable to broadside collisions begin with every driver’s legal responsibility to stop for stop signs, Michigan compiled laws Annotated sec. 257.649, and to obey traffic control devices including traffic lights, Michigan compiled laws Annotated sec. 257.611(1). Michigan law states, if you have already entered an intersection, you have the right of way, and other traffic must yield to be safe. Michigan compiled laws Annotated sec. 257.649(1). In addition, Michigan law say’s that, if two motor vehicles enter an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. Michigan compiled laws annotated sec. 257.649(2).
Important point to remember is that simply because a driver has a green light does not necessarily mean the driver can drive through an intersection without due care and caution. At common law every operator of a motor vehicle has a responsibility to do what he or she can to avoid an accident. However, if you are the driver of a motor vehicle that carelessly drives into an intersection without keep a proper look out for any dangers up ahead, you may be held liable for causing an accident, even if you technically had a green light.
Some T-bone accidents are caused by a truck or car making a left turn in front of another vehicle. The most important rule to remember is that if you are the driver making a left turn at an intersection must yield to all oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard. Michigan compiled laws annotated sec. 257.6521(1). It is illegal to turn before the turn can be made safety. Michigan compiled laws annotated sec. 257.6521(1). If you are the driver that causes a crash by making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic when it was unsafe to do so, you may also be held liable for the harm to other people in the crash, including the passengers in your vehicle. Only when the oncoming vehicle traffic has cleared by you, can you make the left turn because you have the right of way, and any oncoming vehicles must yield. If a driver that is driving through the intersection has enough time to stop and let a vehicle ahead complete its left turn, but instead continues driving into the intersection and crashes into the left turning vehicle, that driver may be held responsible for negligently any injuries resulting from the accident.
Broadside T-bone accidents can happen in any number of ways and locations. In Michigan some of the most common side-impact collisions are as follows:
In a broadside collision, typically the party at fault for the accident is the party who had a duty to stop or yield the right-of-way and failed to do so. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine who had the right-of-way at an intersection.
If you have been broadsided as a result of the negligence of another driver, you may have the legal right to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, attendant care benefits and pain and suffering caused by the other driver. Call The Joseph Dedvukaj Firm today at 866-HIRE-JOE for a free consultation to learn your rights.
In order to prove which driver had the ran the red light or had the right of way and who could have avoided a crash by taking evasive action reasonably, a thorough investigation after the crash is often necessary. There may be evidence at the scene that shows the path of each vehicle, such as skid marks, yaw marks, gouge marks, tire marks in gravel or mud, rutting, impact debris marks on guardrails, or other impacted surfaces that help us piece together how the accident happened. Cameras on traffic light poles or video footage on surveillance cameras at nearby businesses’ may also be available to show what happened. Our skilled and experienced team has significant car crash investigation experience in helping victims of broadside collisions for the last 30 years, so contact us online or call us anytime at 248-352-2110 or toll-free at 866-HIRE-JOE if you would like to discuss a potential T-bone collision case. BBB A+ Rated Injury Law Firm.