On South Carolina’s streets and highways, intersections are breeding grounds for car accidents. After all, crashes and collisions are a constant risk whenever cars and trucks approach each other at angles that make it difficult for drivers to see one another. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statistics show that these collisions occur and frequently result in injuries or death. In 2020, there were nearly 6,500 fatal side impact or angle collisions. An additional 467,073 of these collisions resulted in injuries.

In these crashes, it’s important to determine who is at fault to know if you can recover damages. First, let’s examine T-bone crashes in more detail.

What Is a T-Bone Collision?

Unlike head-on crashes and rear-end collisions, a T-bone collision is when two or more vehicles impact one another at a perpendicular (or diagonal, in some cases) angle. It’s sometimes referred to as an angle collision or a side-impact collision. 

Side-impact collisions frequently occur at intersections, where vehicles constantly approach each other at angles. Ideally, traffic lights or signs control this traffic, reducing the risk of collision.

Responsibility for Aiken T-Bone Wrecks

Nearly every T-bone collision happens due to one driver’s careless actions. A careless driver can be considered negligent and liable for damages under the law.

Carelessness may include failing to yield the right of way at an intersection or cross street. This is typically due to distraction, perhaps due to the driver looking down at their phone, or impatience, where a driver will ignore other motorists and continue out of turn.

Careless driving can also include attempting to beat traffic signals by speeding through an intersection. Because intersections are dangerous places for motorists, it is prudent to continue at an even pace and stop when required. Drivers who recklessly speed up put themselves and others at risk of harm.

At uncontrolled intersections, where there are no traffic signs or signals, South Carolina’s right-of-way law governs which driver yields to others. 

As a South Carolina motorist, the onus is on you to know what the law requires and to yield the right of way to:

  • Pedestrians who are in the intersection or in a crosswalk
  • Vehicles that have already entered the intersection before you
  • The driver to the right of you

Drivers who fail to abide by these rules may not only cause a T-bone crash but may also be found responsible for paying compensation to you or others injured by the crash.

How to Prove Liability for a T-Bone Crash in South Carolina

If you or a loved one are hurt in a T-bone wreck, you will likely need to prove the other driver’s fault for causing the crash before you can receive monetary compensation. But without an admission of fault by the other driver, this may not be a simple undertaking.

Documenting the intersection through photographs or a police report will help prove whether the intersection was uncontrolled or controlled. Make sure to document any stop signs, yield signs, or traffic lights present, as well as whether these are obstructed, obscured, or not functioning correctly.

Taking down the name and contact information of other involved drivers and witnesses may also prove useful. The more evidence that you can secure, the better the opportunity you will have to persuasively describe how the accident occurred and who is at fault.

Protect Yourself and Know Your Rights 

It’s important to know that you have the right to pursue damages if you believe that you are not at fault in a T-bone collision. A reasonable investigation with the help of a lawyer can yield evidence of fault that will help you recover compensation. 

Contact a personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your accident.

For more information, please contact the car accident lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and it’s surrounding areas:

Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722 3500

Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863 6500

Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361 0350

Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437 9122

Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226 9089

We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.