Who Is at Fault for a T-Bone Accident?

October 9, 2025 | By Pendergast Law
Who Is at Fault for a T-Bone Accident?

Side-impact crashes, commonly known as T-bone accidents, often happen with little or no warning. You may be driving straight through a green light when another vehicle slams into your door. Or maybe you were turning left and suddenly struck by a speeding car. However it happened, the accident can leave you injured and stunned. Determining who is at fault for a T-bone accident isn’t always as clear-cut as it may seem.

If you were hit broadside by a negligent driver, it’s not unusual for insurance companies to try to place some of the blame on you. But fault depends on a combination of law, facts, and interpretation of the evidence. That includes traffic signal data, road markings, eyewitness accounts, and even the angle of vehicle damage. In states like Washington, where fault laws impact how much you can recover, that distinction matters more than most people realize, so working with a Seattle car accident lawyer can help protect your right to full compensation.

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Key Takeaways About Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident

  • Determining fault in a T-bone accident depends on evidence like traffic signals, vehicle damage, and witness testimony.
  • The driver who failed to yield the right of way is often found at fault, but not always.
  • In Washington, you may pursue compensation under comparative negligence rules, even if you're partially at fault.
  • Police reports and accident reconstruction experts can make a significant difference in proving what really happened.
  • A lawyer can protect you from being unfairly blamed and help strengthen your claim against insurance challenges.

How Fault Is Determined in a T-Bone Accident

Blurred motion photo of a high-speed car collision showing two vehicles crashed head-on with visible damage to the front of both cars.

Fault in a T-bone crash depends on what each driver did or didn’t do in the moments before the collision. The law generally looks for signs of negligence. Negligence means a driver failed to use reasonable care, resulting in harm to someone else. In side-impact collisions, the question becomes: which driver acted carelessly, and how did that contribute to the crash? Speaking with the best car accident lawyer in Seattle can help you evaluate the evidence, protect your rights, and pursue fair compensation if another driver’s negligence caused the collision.

Most T-bone crashes happen because a driver violated basic traffic rules. Often, that includes running a red light or ignoring a stop sign. In other cases, a driver making a left turn fails to yield to oncoming traffic, or someone speeds through an intersection without checking for cross traffic.

Distracted or impaired driving also plays a major role. Even a few seconds of looking at a phone or failing to notice a light change can lead to a devastating side-impact crash. When one driver isn’t paying attention or breaks the rules of the road, the risk of a serious injury increases significantly.

But proving these violations requires evidence. Strong cases are built from multiple sources, not just what the drivers say. Crucial evidence to determine liability in T-bone crashes includes:

  • Traffic signal or stop sign violations
  • Failure to yield during left-hand turns
  • Speeding or distracted driving
  • Dashcam or surveillance footage
  • Vehicle damage patterns
  • Eyewitness or passenger statements
  • Official police reports
  • Skid marks or crash debris location

Even if both drivers claim they had the right of way, the evidence often reveals what really happened. A well-documented case can limit how much blame the other side can shift onto you and preserve your ability to pursue compensation, which is critical when you are involved in a car accident and not at fault and need to prove the other driver’s responsibility.

Who Is Liable in a T-Bone Accident at an Intersection?

Most T-bone accidents happen at intersections. These are hotspots for collisions because they involve multiple lanes, signals, and turning vehicles. When a side-impact crash occurs here, the most important question usually becomes: who had the right of way?

If one driver ran a red light or a stop sign

When someone ignores a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign, fault is usually easy to assign. Traffic violations like these are strong evidence of negligence. That said, insurance companies may still try to downplay the violation or argue that the other driver could have avoided the crash.

If the crash involved a left-turning vehicle

Left-turn accidents are more complicated. Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic, but that doesn’t always mean they’re fully responsible. If the other driver was speeding or entered the intersection illegally, they may share fault.

When both drivers claim they had a green light

This scenario is more common than you’d think. Two drivers collide, each insisting they had the right of way. Without cameras or witnesses, it becomes a credibility issue. Police accident reports, timing of traffic signals, and scene evidence like skid marks can all play a vital role in figuring out what happened.

When Fault Is Disputed or Shared in a T-Bone Crash

Blame is rarely one-sided in side-impact accidents. Sometimes, both drivers insist they had the right of way. Other times, one driver claims the other came out of nowhere or was going too fast. Insurance companies often take advantage of these scenarios to minimize payouts, even when their policyholder clearly ran a red light or failed to yield.

Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule under RCW 4.22.005, which means fault is not all or nothing. You can still pursue compensation, even if you were partially at fault.

Here’s what that means in practice:

  • If you're found 20% responsible for the crash, for example, your compensation is reduced by that amount.
  • Fault percentages are often subjective, especially without clear video or eyewitness evidence.
  • Insurance companies frequently exaggerate fault to reduce or deny payment.

If someone T-boned you and now blames you for the crash, it’s not the end of your case. With the right legal support, the system can work in your favor. Evidence like dashcam footage, vehicle damage analysis, and even the intersection’s traffic light cycle can clarify what happened and shift the fault back where it belongs, while medical records detailing common injuries from car accidents such as whiplash, broken bones, or head trauma help demonstrate the full impact of the collision.

T-Bone Car Accident Fault Rules in Washington

Every state has its own road laws, but Washington uses specific statutes to establish right-of-way and driver responsibility. Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), chapter 61, contains several laws that apply to intersection crashes, including:

  • RCW 46.61.185: Left-turning drivers must yield to oncoming vehicles
  • RCW 46.61.050: All drivers must obey traffic control signals unless directed otherwise
  • RCW 46.61.202: Unauthorized vehicles must not enter controlled intersections

Even if a violation isn’t documented in a police report, these laws still guide how fault is interpreted. A lawyer can analyze your situation through the lens of these rules and help push back against misinterpretations by insurers or opposing attorneys.

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What If There Were No Witnesses in a Side-Impact Collision?

T-bone crashes often happen so fast that few people notice the full sequence of events. If no witnesses were present, it might feel like your word against theirs. Fortunately, the absence of direct witnesses doesn’t mean you can’t build a strong case.

Other ways to prove what happened without witnesses include:

  • Traffic light timing logs that can help determine who had the green light.
  • Black box data from newer vehicles may show braking or speed.
  • Security cameras from nearby businesses or homes may catch key moments.
  • Vehicle damage patterns often indicate angles of impact and relative speed.
  • Roadway evidence, like debris or tire marks, can indicate what really happened.

In more serious high-stakes cases, accident reconstruction experts can also examine this data to create a clear picture of what happened. That level of analysis can be especially powerful when the crash involves severe injuries or contested liability.

What Happens When the Insurance Companies Don’t Agree on Fault?

Close-up of a person reviewing an insurance policy document on a clipboard with a pen in hand, next to a keyboard and glasses on a desk.

Sometimes, both drivers' insurance companies dig in and refuse to accept liability. When this happens, the claim process may slow down or stall entirely, which can impact a car accident claim by delaying payments for medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages while adding stress during your recovery.

If insurers can’t agree on fault, they may:

  • Refuse to pay out under liability coverage
  • Delay payment of property damage or medical bills
  • Offer reduced settlements in hopes you’ll give up
  • Try to shift blame to keep costs low

In these cases, having an attorney who understands insurance tactics and liability rules can level the playing field. Legal action may become necessary, but in many cases, simply presenting a stronger case file gets negotiations moving again.

T-Bone Crashes Often Lead to Serious Injuries

When one vehicle strikes another from the side, the occupants on that side have very little protection. Unlike front or rear collisions, there’s usually only a few inches of metal between the oncoming car and the person inside.

Common injuries in side-impact accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Head injuries are especially common in T-bone crashes, where the head may strike the window or frame. This includes concussions, memory loss, or long-term cognitive effects.
  • Neck and back injuries: Sudden side impact can lead to whiplash, muscle strain, or more serious conditions like herniated discs and spinal cord injuries, which may affect mobility or sensation.
  • Fractured ribs or pelvis: The sides of a vehicle offer less structural protection, making broken bones a frequent result, especially to the ribs, pelvis, and hips.
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage: Blunt-force trauma from a side-impact crash can injure internal organs, often without immediate visible signs, requiring emergency care.
  • Shoulder, hip, and knee trauma: T-bone crashes often twist the body abruptly, leading to joint dislocations, torn ligaments, or long-term orthopedic complications.

These injuries often require months of treatment and recovery. Medical bills pile up, and time off work can affect your financial stability. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s carelessness, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term effects, while learning the mistakes to avoid after a car accident so you do not weaken your claim.

Protecting Your Case After a Side-Impact Crash

After a serious crash, you may be physically and emotionally drained. Trying to deal with legal paperwork, insurance adjusters, and damage assessments adds another layer of stress. On top of that, the other driver or their insurer may try to blame you.

This is where working with the right legal advocate matters. An attorney who handles side-impact collision claims day in and day out can interpret crash evidence, challenge unfair blame, and coordinate the entire claims process on your behalf—so you don’t have to manage it alone.

T-bone cases are often anything but straightforward. Between conflicting statements, gaps in evidence, and the pressure to settle quickly, many claims fall short without experienced legal support guiding the way.

FAQ for Who Is at Fault for a T-Bone Accident?

What if I was turning left and got hit in a T-bone crash?

Left-turning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic, but the other driver may still share fault if they were speeding or ran a red light. These cases often hinge on traffic signals, camera footage, and eyewitness accounts.

How long do I have to file a claim for a T-bone accident in Washington?

In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Washington is three years from the date of the crash, according to RCW 4.16.080. However, it’s best to act well before that deadline to preserve evidence.

How do insurance companies decide who’s at fault?

Insurers review police reports, driver statements, physical evidence, and sometimes traffic camera footage. They may also use vehicle damage assessments and digital data. However, their conclusions may not always align with the facts.

What if both drivers say they had the green light?

This creates a dispute that often requires outside evidence—such as surveillance footage, signal timing data, or accident reconstruction—to resolve. In these cases, it’s especially important to act quickly before evidence disappears.

Do I need a lawyer if the other driver is clearly at fault?

Even if the fault seems obvious, insurance companies may still dispute parts of your claim. A lawyer can document your damages, gather evidence, and protect you from low settlement offers or unfair blame.

What if I was injured as a passenger in a T-bone crash?

If you were a passenger, you may be able to file a claim against one or both drivers, depending on who was at fault. Passengers are rarely considered liable, so you may have a strong case for recovering damages such as medical bills and lost wages, even if fault is still being disputed.

Can I still recover damages if the at-fault driver was uninsured?

Yes, but you may need to rely on your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance. This type of claim can still be complex, and insurance companies may dispute the payout. A lawyer can help you review your policy and file the correct type of claim.

How long does it take to settle a T-bone accident claim?

There’s no fixed timeline. The length of time it takes to resolve a case often depends on how long your medical treatment lasts and how willing the insurance company is to negotiate fairly. Working with a qualified car accident lawyer can help you secure the most compensation in the most efficient way possible. 

Joseph Pendergast

If you've been injured in a T-bone accident in Washington, you don’t have to deal with insurance companies or fault disputes alone. Pendergast Law has handled thousands of injury claims involving complex liability, serious injuries, and unfair insurance tactics, helping clients recover full damages after a car accident for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Whether your crash happened in Seattle, Renton, Tacoma, or anywhere in the state, our team is here to help. We bring a thorough, evidence-driven approach to every case and focus on protecting your right to pursue compensation under Washington’s fault laws.

Call (425) 228-3860 to speak with someone at our Renton office, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We’ll handle the details so you can focus on recovery.

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