Several factors must be considered when determining liability in a T-bone car accident in Pennsylvania. The process of determining liability involves a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Navigating this complex landscape can be challenging for victims. This emphasizes the importance of working with our experienced team, who can aggressively investigate your accident and identify all potentially liable parties. Our attorneys will advocate for compensation based on the specifics of the case, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. While these cases can be notoriously messy, with each party pointing the finger, our firm knows what evidence is needed to prove what happened.
Contact The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for your free case review with our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a T-Bone Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another, forming a “T” shape at the moment of impact. While determining liability might seem straightforward, other factors could impact who is held responsible. Fortunately, our Bucks Count, PA car accident attorneys know how to bring the negligent parties to justice in these cases. The following are those who are commonly held liable for T-bone accidents in Pennsylvania:
Driver Liability
The most straightforward scenario in assigning liability involves the actions of the drivers involved. Typically, one driver might have failed to yield the right of way, ignored traffic signals, or engaged in reckless driving behaviors leading to the collision. For instance, if a driver runs a red light and T-Bones another vehicle legally crossing the intersection, the driver who ran the red light would likely be found at fault.
However, determining fault can become more complex with factors like obscured traffic signs, malfunctioning traffic lights, or sudden medical emergencies that impact a driver’s control over their vehicle. Pennsylvania’s adoption of comparative negligence also means that both drivers’ actions will be scrutinized, and liability might be shared between them depending on their respective contributions to the accident.
Vehicle Manufacturers
The responsibility for an accident might not solely rest on the driver involved. In some instances, vehicle manufacturers can also be held accountable, especially if the vehicle’s malfunction played a role in the incident. For instance, if faulty brakes, steering mechanism issues, or defective airbags contributed to the accident, then the manufacturer of the vehicle or the defective part could be held liable under product liability law.
However, for such cases to hold up in court, it is crucial to demonstrate that the defect existed at the time of manufacture and that it directly contributed to the occurrence or severity of the accident. Hence, a thorough investigation is necessary to determine if the vehicle or its parts were defective and if they contributed to causing the accident.
Government Entities
Sometimes, government entities can also be held responsible for the accident. In particular, if the accident was caused by factors like poorly designed intersections, inadequate signage, or hazardous road conditions because of neglected maintenance, then a government agency could be held accountable.
In Pennsylvania, such claims against government entities are governed by the state’s Sovereign Immunity Act, which has specific procedures and limitations in place. To hold a government entity accountable, victims must navigate these complexities, including strict notice requirements and limitations on the types of damages recoverable.
Other Third Parties
In some situations, the liability for a T-bone collision involving two vehicles might extend beyond just the drivers of the vehicles. Third parties can also share in the liability, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. For instance, if a driver had to swerve abruptly to avoid hitting another motorist who was driving recklessly or distractedly, that other motorist could be held partially responsible for the collision. Similarly, if a pedestrian was not paying attention and stepped out in front of one of the vehicles, they might also be considered partially liable for the accident.
In addition to individual drivers and pedestrians, businesses like bars and restaurants can also be implicated under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop laws if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident. This means that if a person was visibly drunk at a bar and was served more alcohol, and then got behind the wheel and caused a T-bone collision, the bar could be held partially responsible for the accident.
What Evidence Can Be Used to Prove a T-Bone Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
Proving a T-bone accident in Pennsylvania requires gathering multiple types of evidence. The following are the most common types of evidence used to prove these claims:
Witness Statements
Eyewitnesses to the accident can offer invaluable perspectives that differ from those of the drivers involved. Their accounts can help reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the collision, potentially highlighting factors like traffic signal status, driving behaviors, and road conditions. Witness statements can corroborate other evidence or provide new insights, making them a critical component of building a strong case.
Photographic and Video Evidence
Photos and videos from the accident scene are compelling forms of evidence. They can document vehicle positions post-collision, visible damages, road conditions, weather conditions, traffic signals, and any road signs. In an era where surveillance cameras and dash cams are increasingly common, video footage from nearby businesses, homes, or even other vehicles can capture the accident as it occurs, providing clear evidence of fault.
Medical Records
Medical records are essential for establishing the extent and severity of injuries resulting from the T-Bone accident. These records should detail initial injuries, treatments received, diagnoses, and prognoses, linking them directly to the collision. Furthermore, they can support claims for compensation related to medical expenses, ongoing care needs, and pain and suffering.
Expert Testimonies
Experts in various fields can offer authoritative insights into aspects of the T-bone accident. Accident reconstruction experts use available evidence to recreate the accident scenario, often clarifying issues of speed, angles of impact, and force distribution. Medical experts can elucidate the long-term implications of injuries sustained, while automotive engineers might analyze vehicle damage to infer collision dynamics.
Traffic Camera Footage
Many intersections and roadways are monitored by traffic cameras, which can capture real-time footage of accidents. This footage can decisively prove which driver had the right of way, whether traffic signals were obeyed, and the actions of each driver immediately before the collision. Obtaining these recordings requires timely requests to the appropriate authorities, as footage is often overwritten or deleted after a set period.
Phone Records
Phone records can be pivotal in cases where distracted driving is suspected to have contributed to the T-bone accident. These records can indicate whether a driver was texting, calling, or otherwise using their phone at the time of the accident, providing evidence of negligence.
Our Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Hold the Liable Party Responsible
For a free case assessment, speak with our Hershey, PA car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm by calling (215) 709-6940.
