📋 Overview: California T-Bone Collisions

T-bone collisions (also called broadside or side-impact crashes) occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, typically at intersections. These accidents are among the most dangerous because vehicle doors provide minimal protection compared to front and rear crumple zones. Determining fault in T-bone cases requires careful analysis of right-of-way rules under California Vehicle Code.

Why T-Bone Cases Are Complex

Unlike rear-end collisions where the following driver is presumed at fault, T-bone accidents require proving which driver had the right-of-way. Both drivers often claim the other ran a red light or stop sign. Success depends on gathering strong evidence and understanding California's detailed right-of-way statutes.

Right-of-Way Analysis

California Vehicle Code 21800-21804 establishes detailed rules for who must yield at different intersection types.

Severe Injuries Common

Side impacts bypass crumple zones, directly hitting occupants. Head, neck, and torso injuries are common.

Comparative Fault

California's pure comparative negligence means both drivers may share fault, affecting recovery percentages.

Evidence Is Critical

Traffic cameras, witness statements, and accident reconstruction often determine outcome.

Common T-Bone Collision Scenarios

  • Red light violation - Driver runs red light and strikes vehicle with green light
  • Stop sign failure - Driver fails to stop or misjudges oncoming traffic speed
  • Left turn across traffic - Driver turns left without yielding to oncoming vehicles
  • Uncontrolled intersection - Driver fails to yield to vehicle on the right
  • Yellow light timing - Driver accelerates through late yellow, strikes vehicle starting on green
  • Obstructed view - Driver pulls out when view is blocked by parked vehicles or landscaping

T-Bone Injuries Are Often Serious

The side of a vehicle offers the least protection. Common T-bone injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injury from head striking window or pillar
  • Fractured ribs, pelvis, and hips from direct door impact
  • Spleen and liver lacerations from blunt force
  • Neck and spine injuries from lateral forces
  • Arm and shoulder injuries from door intrusion

Even "minor" side impacts can cause significant injuries. Always get a medical evaluation.

What You Can Recover

A successful T-bone collision demand can include:

  • Medical expenses - Emergency, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation
  • Lost wages - Time missed from work, including future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering - Physical pain and emotional trauma
  • Property damage - Vehicle repair or total loss value
  • Loss of consortium - Impact on family relationships (in severe cases)
  • Punitive damages - If the at-fault driver's conduct was egregious (e.g., DUI)

📝 Elements to Prove

To recover damages in a T-bone collision case, I must establish the following elements in your demand letter.

Four Elements of Negligence

1. Duty of Care

All drivers owe a duty to operate vehicles safely, obey traffic signals, and yield right-of-way as required by Vehicle Code.

2. Breach of Duty

The at-fault driver breached this duty by violating a right-of-way rule (running red light, failing to yield, etc.).

3. Causation

The breach directly caused the collision and your injuries. The T-bone impact must be connected to the right-of-way violation.

4. Damages

You suffered actual damages including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

Establishing Right-of-Way Violation

The critical element in T-bone cases is proving who violated the right-of-way. I use multiple sources to establish this:

  1. Traffic camera footage - Red light cameras, nearby surveillance cameras
  2. Police report findings - Officer's determination of fault and citations issued
  3. Witness statements - Third-party observers who saw the collision
  4. Physical evidence - Point of impact, skid marks, vehicle damage patterns
  5. Accident reconstruction - Expert analysis of speeds, angles, and timing
  6. Vehicle data - Event data recorder (EDR/"black box") information

Addressing "He Said/She Said"

When both drivers claim the other ran the light or failed to yield, objective evidence becomes essential. Immediately after an accident:

  • Look for nearby businesses with security cameras
  • Get contact information from any witnesses
  • Note the location of any red light cameras
  • Take photos of skid marks and vehicle positions

Time is critical - camera footage is often overwritten within days.

💰 Calculating Your Damages

T-bone collision damages are often substantial due to the severity of side-impact injuries.

Categories of Damages

Category Description How to Calculate
Emergency Medical Care Ambulance, ER, hospitalization, surgery Total of all emergency bills
Ongoing Medical Treatment Follow-up care, specialists, physical therapy Total of treatment bills to date
Future Medical Expenses Projected surgeries, therapy, medication Physician's life care plan estimate
Lost Wages Time missed from work during recovery Pay rate x hours/days missed
Loss of Earning Capacity Reduced ability to work due to permanent injury Vocational expert analysis
Property Damage Vehicle repair or total loss value Repair estimates or FMV
Pain and Suffering Physical pain, emotional distress, trauma Multiplier method or per diem
Loss of Consortium Impact on spousal relationship Separate claim by spouse

Sample Damages Calculation

Example: Serious T-Bone with Hip Fracture

T-bone collision requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation

Ambulance and emergency room $8,500
Hospitalization (3 days) $45,000
Hip surgery (ORIF) $65,000
Physical therapy (6 months) $12,000
Follow-up care and imaging $8,500
Medications and supplies $2,500
Lost wages (4 months @ $5,000/mo) $20,000
Vehicle total loss $18,000
Rental car (45 days @ $50) $2,250
Subtotal Economic Damages $181,750
Pain and suffering (2x medical of $141,500) $283,000
TOTAL DEMAND $464,750

Comparative Fault Adjustment

If the insurance company successfully argues you were partially at fault, your recovery would be reduced proportionally:

  • 0% fault: Full $464,750 recovery
  • 10% fault: $418,275 recovery (reduced by $46,475)
  • 25% fault: $348,563 recovery (reduced by $116,188)
  • 50% fault: $232,375 recovery (reduced by half)

I fight to minimize any fault assigned to you and maximize your recovery.

📂 Evidence Checklist

T-bone cases require thorough evidence to establish who had the right-of-way. Time is critical for preserving certain evidence.

📹 Critical - Time Sensitive

  • ✓Traffic camera footage (request within 48 hrs)
  • ✓Nearby business surveillance video
  • ✓Witness contact information
  • ✓Skid mark photos before road cleaning
  • ✓Vehicle EDR data (preserve vehicle)

📄 Accident Documentation

  • ✓Police report (Traffic Collision Report)
  • ✓Photos of all vehicle damage
  • ✓Photos of intersection (signals, signs)
  • ✓Photos of visible injuries
  • ✓Diagram of collision

💉 Medical Documentation

  • ✓ER records and discharge summary
  • ✓Hospitalization records
  • ✓Surgical reports
  • ✓Imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI)
  • ✓Physical therapy records
  • ✓All medical bills

💰 Financial Documentation

  • ✓Pay stubs showing lost wages
  • ✓Employer letter confirming absence
  • ✓Vehicle repair estimates
  • ✓Total loss valuation
  • ✓Rental car receipts
  • ✓Out-of-pocket expenses

Act Immediately on Video Evidence

Traffic camera and surveillance footage is typically overwritten within 48-72 hours. If you were T-boned at an intersection:

  • Immediately contact the city/county for traffic camera footage
  • Visit nearby businesses and ask them to preserve footage
  • Note the location of any red light cameras
  • If you have an attorney, we can issue preservation letters immediately

Lost video evidence can mean the difference between winning and losing your case.

📝 Sample Demand Language

I use these frameworks when drafting T-bone intersection demand letters. Customize with your specific facts.

Opening - T-Bone Collision Demand
I represent [CLIENT NAME] in connection with a motor vehicle collision that occurred on [DATE] at the intersection of [STREET 1] and [STREET 2] in [CITY, California]. Your insured, [AT-FAULT DRIVER], struck my client's vehicle in a broadside collision after violating my client's right-of-way. This letter constitutes a formal demand for compensation pursuant to the bodily injury liability coverage under policy number [POLICY NUMBER].
Liability - Red Light Violation
Liability in this matter is clear. Your insured violated California Vehicle Code Section 21453 by proceeding through a red traffic signal. My client was lawfully proceeding through the intersection on a green signal when your insured entered the intersection against the red signal and struck the [driver's side/passenger side] of my client's vehicle. [The police report confirms your insured was cited for running a red light. / Traffic camera footage obtained from [SOURCE] clearly shows your insured entering the intersection after the signal had turned red. / Multiple independent witnesses confirm your insured ran the red light.] Your insured's violation of Vehicle Code 21453 constitutes negligence per se under California Evidence Code Section 669.
Liability - Stop Sign/Yield Violation
Your insured violated California Vehicle Code Section 21802 by failing to yield the right-of-way after stopping at the stop sign on [STREET NAME]. My client was traveling on [CROSS STREET], which has no stop sign, and had the right-of-way. Your insured entered the intersection when my client's vehicle was so close as to constitute an immediate hazard, directly causing the collision. Under VC 21802, a driver at a stop sign must yield to any vehicle approaching closely enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Your insured breached this duty, and that breach was the proximate cause of my client's injuries.
Liability - Left Turn Failure to Yield
Your insured violated California Vehicle Code Section 21801 by failing to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn. My client was proceeding straight through the intersection when your insured turned left directly into my client's path. Under VC 21801, a driver turning left must yield to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are close enough to constitute a hazard. Your insured's decision to turn in front of oncoming traffic was negligent and directly caused this collision.
Injury Description - Serious Impact
As a direct result of this T-bone collision, my client sustained [specific injuries]. The force of the side impact caused [describe mechanism of injury - e.g., my client's body to be thrown against the driver's side door, causing rib fractures and a lacerated spleen]. My client was transported by ambulance to [HOSPITAL] where [describe emergency treatment]. My client underwent [surgery/procedures] and has been in treatment for [X months] including [treatment types].
Comparative Fault Rebuttal
I anticipate you may argue comparative fault on my client's part. Any such argument is without merit. My client was proceeding lawfully at or below the speed limit with a [green light/right-of-way]. My client had no duty to anticipate that your insured would [run the red light/fail to yield]. The collision occurred because of your insured's violation, not because of any action or inaction by my client. Under California's comparative negligence rules, my client bears zero responsibility for this collision.
Damages Summary
My client's damages are summarized as follows:

Medical Expenses:
Emergency Services/Ambulance: $[AMOUNT]
[Hospital Name] - ER/Hospitalization: $[AMOUNT]
[Surgeon] - Surgery: $[AMOUNT]
[Provider Name] - Physical Therapy: $[AMOUNT]
Imaging and Diagnostics: $[AMOUNT]
Medications: $[AMOUNT]
Total Medical: $[TOTAL]

Lost Wages: $[AMOUNT] ([X] months at $[MONTHLY RATE])

Property Damage: $[AMOUNT] (total loss)

Pain and Suffering: $[AMOUNT]

TOTAL DEMAND: $[TOTAL]
Closing - Demand and Deadline
Based on the foregoing, I demand payment of $[TOTAL AMOUNT] to fully and finally resolve my client's bodily injury claim. This demand remains open for [30] days from the date of this letter.

Please note that the statute of limitations under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 will expire on [DATE - 2 years from accident]. My client is prepared to pursue litigation if this matter is not resolved, which will include claims for the full measure of damages, costs of suit, and any additional damages that accrue.

I look forward to your prompt response.

🚀 Next Steps

After sending your demand letter, here is what to expect and how to proceed.

Expected Timeline

Days 1-7

Insurance company receives demand, assigns to senior adjuster given complexity

Days 7-21

Adjuster reviews police report, video evidence, medical records, evaluates liability

Days 21-30

Initial response - often with liability dispute or comparative fault argument

Days 30-90

Extended negotiation - T-bone cases often require multiple rounds

If Insurance Disputes Liability

In T-bone cases, insurance companies often dispute who had the right-of-way. I respond by:

  • Providing additional evidence (video, witness statements, expert analysis)
  • Addressing specific arguments with legal citations
  • Presenting accident reconstruction analysis if needed
  • Challenging any unsupported comparative fault allegations

If Settlement Cannot Be Reached

File Lawsuit

Filing in California Superior Court forces the insurer to take the case seriously. Discovery allows us to obtain additional evidence including deposition testimony.

Mediation

Many T-bone cases settle at mediation where a neutral mediator helps both sides reach agreement without trial.

Do Not Miss the Deadline

California's statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years from the accident date (CCP 335.1). T-bone cases often require expert witnesses and detailed investigation. Do not wait - contact an attorney well before the deadline.

📥 For Insurance Companies: Responding to T-Bone Claims

If you are an insurance adjuster evaluating a T-bone intersection claim, here are the key considerations.

Liability Requires Investigation

Unlike rear-end collisions, T-bone cases do not carry an automatic presumption of fault against either driver. However, when the evidence clearly establishes a right-of-way violation (red light, stop sign, failure to yield), liability is just as clear. Investigate thoroughly but do not deny clear liability claims.

Evaluating the Demand

  • Secure evidence - Obtain traffic camera footage, witness statements, police report immediately
  • Review right-of-way rules - Identify which VC section applies to this intersection type
  • Assess insured's statement - Did insured admit running signal? Claim light was yellow?
  • Evaluate physical evidence - Point of impact, damage patterns, skid marks
  • Consider accident reconstruction - For disputed liability, expert analysis may be warranted
  • Review medical records - Are injuries consistent with T-bone impact mechanism?

Comparative Fault Analysis

Speed of Plaintiff

Was plaintiff exceeding speed limit? If so, could they have avoided the collision at legal speed?

Late Yellow Light

If both drivers claim green, analyze signal timing. EDR data may show impact speeds.

Distraction

Evidence plaintiff was distracted (phone records) may support shared fault argument.

Evasive Action

Did plaintiff have time to take evasive action and fail to do so?

Unsupported Comparative Fault Arguments Backfire

Asserting comparative fault without evidence damages your credibility and may result in bad faith exposure. If your insured ran a red light and you argue the plaintiff was "speeding" without evidence, expect the demand to increase and plaintiff's counsel to be less willing to negotiate reasonably.

⚖ Attorney Services

I assist individuals injured in T-bone collisions and provide consulting services to insurance professionals. Here is how I can help.

For Injured Victims

  • Investigate the accident and secure time-sensitive evidence (video, witnesses)
  • Analyze right-of-way rules and establish liability under Vehicle Code
  • Calculate full damages including pain and suffering
  • Draft a professional demand letter with supporting evidence
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters, addressing comparative fault arguments
  • File suit and litigate if fair settlement cannot be reached

For Insurance Professionals

  • Liability evaluation on disputed intersection accidents
  • Comparative fault analysis and defense recommendations
  • Medical record review and damages assessment
  • Coverage opinions on complex claims

T-Boned at an Intersection?

Get a 30-minute strategy session to evaluate your claim and discuss your options.

Book Consultation - $240/hr

Hourly Consultation

$240 per hour for case evaluation, strategy sessions, and hourly legal work.

Flat Fee Demand Letter

$450 flat fee for professional demand letter drafting with liability analysis and supporting documentation.

Contingency Fee Representation

33-40% contingency for full representation through settlement or litigation. No fee unless you recover.

Contact Information

Email: owner@terms.law
Book Online: calendly.com/sergei-tokmakov/30-minute-zoom-meeting