Who Is at Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident in Louisiana?

Who is at fault in a T-bone car accident in Louisiana? It takes an in-depth investigation of a specific accident to determine the answer to this, as there is not always one party that is responsible.

Many car accidents can be potentially serious, including T-bone accidents. Determining fault is an important step after any car accident so that those injured by another driver’s negligence can get the compensation they need. Who is at fault in a T-bone car accident in Louisiana? It takes an in-depth investigation of a specific accident to determine the answer to this, as there is not always one party that is responsible.

What Are Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents?

T-bone accidents can occur on many occasions, especially when drivers fail to adhere to traffic laws. The following acts by drivers can result in a T-bone accident:

• Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light
• Failing to wait their turn at a four-way intersection
• Pulling in front of another vehicle out of their driveway, a parking lot, or an alleyway
• Refusing to yield to the right-of-way, such as while turning left at an intersection

These are all acts of negligence that could result in an accident. Drivers are more likely to be negligent in these ways if they are fatigued, distracted, or under the influence.

Understanding T-Bone Accidents in Louisiana

T-bone accidents, side-impact, or side-angle collisions happen when one vehicle runs into the broadside of another. These accidents can be fatal at high speeds. Throughout the U.S., angle collisions make up 18.6% of fatal crashes, and many angle collisions are T-bone accidents.

In Louisiana in 2024, 59 fatal crashes were perpendicular collisions. This made up 8.40% of all fatal crashes by manner of collision out of 702 fatal crashes. Perpendicular collisions were also the second most common type of collision for fatal accidents between vehicles in transport, after head-on collisions.

Perpendicular collisions also made up 7,633 suspected injury crashes out of 37,379. They were 20.42% of crashes, second to head-on collisions.

These accidents most frequently happen at intersections. In 2024, 15,323 fatal and injury accidents happened at intersections in Louisiana, and 143 of these were fatal crashes. When drivers follow the rules of the road, these accidents are unlikely to happen. However, if drivers ignore lights or signs that direct the flow of traffic, T-bone accidents are more likely to occur.

Proving Liability for a T-Bone Accident

A driver is nearly always the liable party in a T-bone accident due to negligence on the road. To prove liability, you must be able to prove the following elements:

1. You were owed a duty of care by the driver
2. The driver breached their duty of care because of a negligent action or failure to act
3. Their breach of duty directly caused your injuries
4. You suffered compensable damages as a result of your injuries and the accident

When a driver fails to follow road laws, this is an example of negligent behavior. If their negligence caused an accident, they are liable.

Who Can Be Liable for a T-Bone Accident?

In most T-bone accidents, one or both of the drivers involved in the crash can be liable for the accident. However, there are rare cases where other parties are partially or fully liable, such as:

• A third-party driver. If another vehicle caused the crash but was not involved in the T-bone accident, they can be held liable for the damages of both parties.
• A car manufacturer. If the accident happened because a vehicle component was unreasonably dangerous or there were insufficient safety features in the vehicle, the manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle may be liable.
• Governmental agencies. If the accident happened because the road was poorly designed or maintained, or important road markings were missing, the agency responsible for maintenance or upkeep may be liable.

Evidence To Prove Fault in a T-Bone Accident

An experienced attorney can help investigate an accident to determine what caused the accident and what party is to blame. Evidence that may be used includes:

• The police report from the accident, which can be secured by contacting the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident, such as the Louisiana State Police, located at 7919 Independence Boulevard in Baton Rouge.
• Video and photo evidence from during and after the crash
• Witness statements
• Professional accident reconstruction
• Damage to and the position of vehicles
• The injuries each party suffered

This information can determine which party acted negligently, such as by showing the color of the light at the time of the accident.

Common Injuries That Occur Due to T-Bone Accidents

A T-bone collision can leave injured drivers and passengers seeking urgent treatment at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, located at 5000 Hennessy Boulevard, or University Medical Center New Orleans, located at 2000 Canal Street in New Orleans. T-bone collisions can lead to serious bodily injury, including head trauma. An estimated 64 million Americans will suffer a brain injury in their lifetime, and collisions can be a source of that bodily harm.

Broken bones are another common type of injury, and multiple fractures can lead to long recoveries and reduced mobility. Neck trauma can cause whiplash or spinal cord damage.

Internal organ damage and lacerations are also forms of catastrophic harm. When someone suffers harm due to another person’s negligence or misconduct on the road, they have the right to pursue compensation.

What Compensation Can I Seek?

Many car accidents give rise to injury claims. Whether you were struck along Gerstner Memorial Drive, Airline Highway, or elsewhere in Louisiana, you can pursue compensation for the harm and setbacks you endured. As an at-fault state for car collisions, Louisiana holds negligent parties financially liable for damages.

A fair insurance settlement could compensate you for past medical bills, the cost of upcoming treatments, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses. These types of tangible losses are considered “economic damages.” Intangible losses that account for pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages, and both types of damages may play a role in shaping the size of a settlement.

When an at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, there is always the option of taking a claim to civil court. Those cases typically resolve through settlements, but plaintiffs can pursue a trial when needed. A court verdict could include punitive damages that punish the driver for egregious negligence and willful disregard for the safety of others.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

There were 3,208 people injured in 2024 due to distracted driving, and proving driver negligence can require attentive support from an injury lawyer. When you hire a dedicated car accident lawyer, you gain support from an experienced advocate who can explain the state’s car accident laws. A Louisiana car accident attorney can manage your T-bone accident case with a focus on securing the full compensation that you are owed.

A Louisiana car accident attorney can: 

• Gather surveillance footage
• Interview witnesses
• Review smartphone records
• Speak with accident reconstruction consultants
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
• Protect your rights throughout the claims process

FAQs

Who Is Usually at Fault in a T-bone Accident?

In a T-bone accident, a driver is usually to blame, but knowing who exactly is at fault requires an investigation of the accident. If either driver disregarded a red light, stop sign, or other traffic signal, and this led to the crash, they could be liable. This could be the driver who was crashed into or the driver who crashed. The positioning of the vehicles does not always point to a liable party.

Is Louisiana a Fault State for Car Accidents?

Louisiana is a fault state for car accidents. Injured drivers and passengers can file car accident claims with the insurance company of the driver who was at fault for the crash. A driver’s insurance company can be liable if the driver’s negligence causes the accident.
A claim can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies complete thorough investigations as a result, trying to limit their liability and avoid paying full claims to injured parties.

Who Is at Fault in a Fender-Bender Accident?

Every accident is unique, including fender benders. Typically, a driver is at fault for a fender bender accident, although other parties on the road could also be liable. Third parties like vehicle manufacturers could also be liable. Each party could also be partially liable under comparative negligence guidelines. Work with an experienced attorney to determine fault in your particular accident.

Is a T-Bone Collision the Worst Accident?

There is no “worst” type of accident because the severity of an individual accident is what can make it serious. T-bone collisions can be very severe, resulting in injury or death, especially when drivers are going at high speeds or if a significantly larger vehicle T-bones a smaller vehicle. Vehicle size, speed, and vehicle safety features are significant contributing factors to the seriousness of any accident, whether it is a T-bone, head-on, rear-end, or rollover accident.

Contact Murphy Law Firm to Discuss Your T-Bone Car Accident Case

If you are seeking compensation with the help of an attorney, the experience and focus of your legal support matter. Murphy Law Firm has served injured Louisianians for more than 30 years. Our injury lawyers bring over 150 years of combined experience and a proven record of success securing settlements and favorable court verdicts.

While other firms focus on closing cases and moving on, we take the time to learn about the harm our clients suffer before taking a focused approach to managing their claims. If you were in a T-bone accident in Louisiana, it is important to take steps to protect your rights. The dedicated team at Murphy Law Firm can help. Contact our firm to set up a consultation today.

About The Author

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy, is the founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in personal injury law. Peyton obtained his law degree from the prestigious Tulane School of Law in 1991 and has been licensed to practice law in Louisiana since 1993. With over 28 years of experience, Peyton is dedicated to representing injured victims and actively contributing to his community. Education: Obtained his law degree from Tulane School of Law in 1991. Professional Associations: Member of the Louisiana State Bar and active in the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Experience: Founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, with extensive experience in personal injury law and licensed in multiple federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

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