Car accidents can range in severity from minor bumps and scrapes to major multi-vehicle collisions. One of the most dangerous and impactful types of car accidents are broadside accidents, also known as T-bone accidents or side-impact collisions.
These collisions occur when one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle head-on, leading to severe damage to the vehicle and injuries to anyone sitting inside. Because of their severity and complexity, it can be difficult to determine who is at fault in a broadside accident.
Common Causes of Broadside Accidents
When it comes to broadside or side-impact accidents, the cause is not always clear immediately after the accident. Many factors and instances of negligent driving can cause these collisions, including the following.
- Speeding, especially in inclement weather conditions
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving or performing another activity that takes someone’s mind, hands, and eyes away from driving
- Failure to yield
- Passing another vehicle in a dangerous or reckless manner
- Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Any other instance of reckless or aggressive driving
After identifying how the accident occurred, you and your Bakersfield motor vehicle accident attorney will need to work closely together to prove that the other driver was responsible for causing the accident. If you can prove fault in this case, you may be eligible to collect compensation for your injuries.
Proving Fault in a Broadside Accident Case
Proving who is at fault in a broadside accident can be very complex. It may be apparent to you that the other driver caused the accident, but he or she may accuse you of engaging in negligent driving. To prove fault in your lawsuit, you and your car accident attorney in Bakersfield will need to gather the evidence necessary to establish the following four elements.
- The at-fault driver owed you a duty to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner and follow all rules of the road.
- The driver breached his or her duty of care to you.
- The breach of duty of care directly caused the accident.
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident that you can claim compensation for in your lawsuit.
There are instances where the fault, in this case, is obvious. For example, a driver running a red light is clearly at fault for the accident because he or she failed to follow the traffic signal. However, there are some cases where the negligence is not always clear — perhaps the driver claimed his or her vehicle had a defect that led to the accident or claims that you acted in a way that led to the accident.
In these situations, collecting evidence is crucial, and you will need an attorney on your side to assist you with your claim. Your lawyer can provide a number of benefits to help you prove your car accident case, including the following.
- Your attorney will have access to a network of expert witnesses who can provide testimony in your case, including medical experts and accident reconstruction professionals.
- Your attorney will have the authority to access pieces of evidence that you may not be able to obtain, including traffic camera footage, traffic signal data, police records, and vehicle maintenance reports.
- You can collect many types of damages in a personal injury lawsuit, and you may not be aware of the damages you are eligible for. Your lawyer can advise you on your legal options, helping you collect the pieces of evidence necessary to prove your need for compensation.
Broadside accidents can be very severe, resulting in thousands of dollars in medical bills and property damage, severe injuries, and other physical, financial, and emotional damages you may not have prepared yourself for. However, you can claim compensation for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim with the help of a car accident attorney. Contact your lawyer today to discuss your accident and strategize your next steps.