T-Bone Accident

San Diego T-Bone Accident Attorneys

A T-bone crash, where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, usually happens in an instant at an intersection and leaves little between the occupants and the point of impact. These broadside collisions can cause serious injuries, and figuring out who had the right of way is central to your claim.

At Banker’s Hill Law Firm, our San Diego T-bone accident lawyer team represents people hurt in broadside and side-impact crashes throughout San Diego County. As dedicated personal injury attorneys, we reconstruct what happened at the intersection, prove who failed to yield, and pursue full compensation for your injuries and losses. These cases are part of our broader work as San Diego car accident lawyers.

Contact our office today for a free case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we win your case.

How Fault Falls in a T-Bone Collision

T-bone crashes almost always come down to right of way. California law spells out who must yield, and the driver who violated those rules is usually at fault. The key rules include:

  • Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard, under Vehicle Code Section 21801.
  • Drivers must stop at a red light under Vehicle Code Section 21453 and at a stop sign under Vehicle Code Section 22450.
  • At open intersections, drivers must yield to vehicles that entered first or that are approaching on their right, under Vehicle Code Section 21800.

A T-bone accident lawyer uses intersection evidence such as traffic signal timing, camera footage, vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, and witness accounts to establish who had the right of way. Because both drivers often insist they had a green light, this evidence is critical to proving fault.

Common Injuries in T-Bone Crashes

The side of a vehicle offers far less protection than the front or rear, so broadside impacts frequently cause serious torso and pelvic injuries, including:

  • Broken ribs and collarbones
  • Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
  • Pelvic and hip fractures
  • Spinal injuries
  • Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury

Occupants seated on the side that is struck are especially vulnerable, and these injuries often require emergency care and a long recovery.

Insurance and Comparative Negligence

Because T-bone cases often turn on who ran the light or failed to yield, insurers frequently dispute fault and try to pin part of the blame on you. California follows pure comparative negligence, established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975), so your compensation is reduced by your share of fault but is not barred even if you were partly responsible. Our attorneys build the intersection evidence, counter the insurer’s version of events, and fight to protect the value of your claim.

What to Do After a T-Bone Crash

Call 911 and make sure officers document the scene and the position of the vehicles, then get medical attention right away, since side-impact injuries are not always obvious. Photograph the intersection, the traffic signals, and the damage to both vehicles, and collect the names and numbers of any witnesses. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before speaking with an attorney.

How Our San Diego T-Bone Accident Attorneys Handle Your Case

Attorney reviewing case documents with a client in a law office
1
Free Case Evaluation
We begin with a no-cost, confidential consultation to review the facts of your case. You speak directly with an attorney — no obligations and no upfront fees.
2
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Our team collects accident reports, medical records, photographs, surveillance footage, expert opinions, and witness statements to construct a comprehensive and compelling case.
3
Medical Documentation and Damage Calculation
We work closely with your treating physicians to document all current and future treatment needs and calculate every element of your economic and non-economic damages.
4
Negotiation with Insurance Companies
We negotiate aggressively with insurers on your behalf. We know their tactics and will not accept an inadequate settlement offer.
5
Trial Representation, If Necessary
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to litigate your case at trial and advocate for you before a judge and jury.

What Compensation Can You Seek After a T-Bone Crash?

A successful claim can pursue both economic and non-economic damages to cover the full impact of your injuries.

Economic Damages

  • Past and future medical bills, including hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing treatment
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Property damage and vehicle replacement
  • Out-of-pocket costs related to the crash

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and psychological trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment and diminished quality of life
  • Permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability
  • Loss of companionship or consortium

In California, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the crash under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Some claims carry shorter deadlines, such as the six-month claim requirement when a government entity is involved, so it is best to speak with an attorney promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions: T-Bone Accident Claims

Fault usually comes down to right of way. We gather intersection evidence, including signal timing, camera and dashcam footage, vehicle damage, and witness accounts, to show which driver failed to yield, ran a red light, or ignored a stop sign.
This is common in intersection crashes. Independent evidence such as traffic camera footage, nearby surveillance video, signal timing data, and impartial witnesses can establish who actually had the right of way, and we work quickly to secure it before it is lost.
Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred entirely.
Generally two years from the date of the crash, though shorter deadlines can apply in certain situations, such as when a government entity is involved. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
We work on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact Our San Diego T-Bone Accident Attorneys Today

Smiling client shaking hands with a member of the legal team

If you were injured in a broadside crash, you deserve a firm that can prove who had the right of way and stand up to the insurance company. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can preserve intersection evidence and build a strong claim on your behalf.

At Banker’s Hill Law Firm, we provide determined, compassionate representation to injured people throughout San Diego and Southern California. Call us today at (619) 230-0330 or contact our office online to schedule your confidential, no-cost case evaluation.