A T-bone crash, also called a side-impact or broadside crash, happens when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another and the two cars form a T. They usually happen at intersections, and they can be serious because the side of a car offers far less protection than the front. This guide explains who is usually at fault in Texas, what injuries to watch for, how to protect your claim, and what to do next. It is written by The Miller Law Firm, home of The Texas Bulldog, a Houston personal injury firm.
How a T-bone crash happens
In almost every T-bone crash, one driver enters an intersection when they should have waited. The other driver is going straight and has the right to be there, and takes the hit on the side of the vehicle. The IIHS, the insurance industry’s safety research group, says side-impact crashes account for about a quarter of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the United States, which is why these crashes are treated seriously by doctors and insurance companies alike.
The shape of a T-bone crash
Who is at fault in a T-bone accident in Texas
Fault comes down to who had to yield. Texas has clear right-of-way rules, and most T-bone crashes involve a driver who broke one of them. These are the situations we see most often.
| Situation | The rule | Who usually has to yield |
|---|---|---|
| Red light | A driver facing a steady red light must stop at the marked line and wait (Transportation Code 544.007). | The driver facing the red light |
| Stop sign | A driver must stop at the marked line and give the intersection to others (Transportation Code 544.010 and 545.151). | The driver facing the stop sign |
| Left turn | A driver turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles that are in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard (Transportation Code 545.152). | The driver turning left |
| Dark traffic signal | If a signal is not working, drivers must treat the intersection like a stop sign (Transportation Code 544.007 and 545.151). | Every driver approaching it, who must stop first |
| Driveway or alley | A driver pulling out must give way to traffic already on the road. | The driver pulling out |
Texas law also says that a driver who is required to yield and who is involved in a collision at the intersection is presumed not to have yielded (Transportation Code 545.151). That presumption can help you, but the other driver can still argue that you were partly to blame, and insurance companies often do. You can read the rules yourself in chapters 544 and 545 of the Transportation Code on the Texas Legislature’s website.
Fault can be shared
Texas follows a 51% rule. Your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame, and you cannot recover anything if you are found more than 50% at fault. That is why a driver who was mostly right can still lose money if the insurer pushes some blame back onto them. In a T-bone crash, that argument often sounds like “you were speeding” or “you could have stopped.” The graph below shows how much a few percentage points can change a claim. Our comparative fault guide goes into more detail.
How your share of the blame changes what you can recover
Evidence that matters in a T-bone case
When both drivers say they had the right-of-way, evidence decides who is believed. Start collecting it right away.
- Photos and video: Take photos of both vehicles, where the damage is, skid marks, the traffic signal or sign, and the intersection from every direction.
- Nearby cameras: Businesses and homes near the intersection may have video, and many systems record over old footage within days. Ask for it as soon as you can.
- Witnesses: Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash and was not in either vehicle.
- The crash report: The officer’s report records the drivers, the insurance, and the officer’s opinion about what happened. Read our guide on what to do when your police report is wrong if you find a mistake.
- Vehicle data: Most modern vehicles store speed and braking data. A lawyer can ask that it be preserved before the vehicle is repaired or sold.
- Medical records: Record every symptom and every visit, starting with the day of the crash.
Common injuries after a T-bone crash
The side of a vehicle has little steel and little space between you and the other car, so a T-bone crash often injures the part of your body closest to the impact. Neck and back injuries are common, including whiplash and herniated discs. So are head injuries, broken ribs and other chest injuries, shoulder and arm fractures, and hip and pelvis injuries. Some injuries do not show up for days, so see a doctor right away even if you feel fine. Insurance companies often use a gap in treatment to argue you were not really hurt.
What to do after a T-bone accident
Call 911 so medical help and the police come, and get medical care even if you think you are okay. Take photos before the cars are moved if it is safe. Exchange names, phone numbers and insurance information with the other driver, but do not discuss fault. Get witness information, and keep a record of your symptoms. Do not post about the crash online. Our full checklist for what to do after a car accident covers each step.
The other driver’s insurance company will probably call you quickly. You do not have to give a recorded statement, and doing so before you talk to a lawyer can hurt your claim. Our recorded statement guide explains why. If the other driver has no insurance or not enough, your own policy may help: see our uninsured and underinsured motorist guide.
What a T-bone accident claim can include
A claim can cover your medical bills, the income you lose while you recover, the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, and the pain and disruption the crash caused. If the other driver was working, a company may also share responsibility, and a commercial truck T-bone crash works very differently from a crash between two cars, as explained in our truck accident practice area. In Texas you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, as explained in our statute of limitations guide.
Frequently asked questions about T-bone accidents
Who is at fault in a T-bone accident in Texas?
Usually the driver who failed to yield. That means the driver who ran a red light or a stop sign, or who turned left in front of oncoming traffic. Fault can be shared, and Texas lowers your recovery by your share of the blame, so the details matter. See our comparative fault guide.
Is the driver who hit the other car’s side always at fault?
No. The front of one car hitting the side of another does not decide fault. If the driver who was hit ran a red light or turned left across traffic, the driver whose front hit the side may not be to blame. Signal timing, camera footage, witnesses and vehicle data are what settle it.
What if both drivers say they had the green light?
That is common, and it is why evidence matters. Look for video from nearby businesses and traffic cameras, witnesses who were not in either car, 911 call records, and the data stored in each vehicle. Footage can be erased within days, so ask for it right away. Do not argue about it at the scene.
What injuries are common after a T-bone crash?
The side of a car has little steel and space between you and the other vehicle, so injuries to the neck, back, head, chest, ribs, hips and shoulders are common. Some do not show up for days. Read about whiplash, broken ribs and herniated discs, and see a doctor even if you feel fine.
How much is a T-bone accident settlement worth?
It depends on your injuries, your medical bills, the time you miss from work, who was at fault and the insurance coverage available. Our settlement calculator shows the factors, but no calculator replaces a review of your actual case.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a T-bone crash in Texas?
Two years from the date of the crash in most cases. Waiting makes evidence harder to find, so talk to a lawyer early. See our statute of limitations guide.
Do I need a lawyer after a T-bone accident?
If you were hurt, or if fault is disputed, it is wise to talk to one. The first consultation is free, you pay no attorney’s fees up front, and we are paid only if we recover money for you. Our fee guide explains how that works.
Help after a T-bone crash in the Houston area
If you were hurt in a T-bone crash anywhere in the Houston area, see how we help injured drivers on our car accident practice area and our Houston car accident lawyer page. We also help drivers in Pearland, Conroe, Sugar Land and Katy.