Las Vegas T-Bone Accident Lawyer

Who can be liable in a T-bone accident largely depends on who caused or contributed to the crash. Drivers have a duty to follow the traffic laws. When there was a crash, sometimes some laws were not followed.

In Nevada, it’s possible that multiple parties share responsibility for the crash. This will depend on the individual facts of the case though.

Possible At-Fault Parties

Determining who is at fault for a T-bone accident is done through evidence. Some examples of what evidence we look to are:

• police reports
• witness statements
• traffic laws like right-of-way violations
• surveillance camera footage
• driver behavior
• external factors

This section takes a look at some parties commonly found to be at fault for T-bone crashes.

At-Fault Driver Who Failed to Yield or Ran a Red Light

Oftentimes, in a T-bone accident, the crash is the fault of a driver who violated right-of-way rules. Mainly running red lights, a stop sign, or making an unsafe left-hand turn.

Generally, a traffic violation is often a sign of negligence if there is evidence to prove that’s what happened.

Employer of the Driver

If the driver’s actions led to the crash and they were working during that time, their employer may be liable. This is due to a legal concept known as vicarious liability.

Vicarious liability means one party can be held legally responsible for the actions of another because of their relationship. For example, an employer being liable for an employee’s conduct. It often applies when the responsible party had control over the person who caused the harm.

Some examples of drivers who may have been “on the clock” doing job duties during a crash are:

• delivery drivers
• company vehicles
• commercial drivers

Rideshare Companies

If you were in a crash with a rideshare vehicle, it’s possible the liability may extend to the rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. This generally depends on the driver status at the time of the accident though. For example, when the driver is:

• logged into the app
• transporting a passenger

Insurance coverage for rideshare vehicles differs based on the status of the ride.

Vehicle Owner for Negligent Entrustment

Sometimes the owner of the vehicle can be at fault too. This can happen if they let a person use the vehicle when they should have known that person was not safe to drive.

For example, maybe the owner lent the car to someone:

• who was drunk
• had no license
• was known to drive recklessly

The key issue is what the owner knew, or what they should have known.

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

Sometimes the vehicle or parts manufacturer is liable in a crash. Product liability laws may apply if defective parts led to the crash. For example:

• brakes
• airbags
• steering function

One scenario would be brake failure at an intersection. Keep in mind that expert analysis would be needed to establish the defect.

Government Entities

Government entities responsible for maintaining the roads can also be a liable party to a crash. Some examples of this include:

• poor road design or intersection layout
• missing signs
• malfunctioning traffic lights

It’s important to note that claims against the government can involve special deadlines and procedures.

Who can be liable in a T-bone accident largely depends on who caused or contributed to the crash. Drivers have a duty to follow the traffic laws. When there was a crash, sometimes some laws were not followed.

In Nevada, it’s possible that multiple parties share responsibility for the crash. This will depend on the individual facts of the case though.

Possible At-Fault Parties

Determining who is at fault for a T-bone accident is done through evidence. Some examples of what evidence we look to are:

• police reports
• witness statements
• traffic laws like right-of-way violations
• surveillance camera footage
• driver behavior
• external factors

This section takes a look at some parties commonly found to be at fault for T-bone crashes.

At-Fault Driver Who Failed to Yield or Ran a Red Light

Oftentimes, in a T-bone accident, the crash is the fault of a driver who violated right-of-way rules. Mainly running red lights, a stop sign, or making an unsafe left-hand turn.

Generally, a traffic violation is often a sign of negligence if there is evidence to prove that’s what happened.

Employer of the Driver

If the driver’s actions led to the crash and they were working during that time, their employer may be liable. This is due to a legal concept known as vicarious liability.

Vicarious liability means one party can be held legally responsible for the actions of another because of their relationship. For example, an employer being liable for an employee’s conduct. It often applies when the responsible party had control over the person who caused the harm.

Some examples of drivers who may have been “on the clock” doing job duties during a crash are:

• delivery drivers
• company vehicles
• commercial drivers

Rideshare Companies

If you were in a crash with a rideshare vehicle, it’s possible the liability may extend to the rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. This generally depends on the driver status at the time of the accident though. For example, when the driver is:

• logged into the app
• transporting a passenger

Insurance coverage for rideshare vehicles differs based on the status of the ride.

Vehicle Owner for Negligent Entrustment

Sometimes the owner of the vehicle can be at fault too. This can happen if they let a person use the vehicle when they should have known that person was not safe to drive.

For example, maybe the owner lent the car to someone:

• who was drunk
• had no license
• was known to drive recklessly

The key issue is what the owner knew, or what they should have known.

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

Sometimes the vehicle or parts manufacturer is liable in a crash. Product liability laws may apply if defective parts led to the crash. For example:

• brakes
• airbags
• steering function

One scenario would be brake failure at an intersection. Keep in mind that expert analysis would be needed to establish the defect.

Government Entities

Government entities responsible for maintaining the roads can also be a liable party to a crash. Some examples of this include:

• poor road design or intersection layout
• missing signs
• malfunctioning traffic lights

It’s important to note that claims against the government can involve special deadlines and procedures.

Compensation in a T-bone accident lawsuit covers both financial losses and personal impact of injuries. The damages can vary based on the severity of injuries and the long-term consequences.

In a claim or lawsuit there are generally two main types of damages sought.

• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages

Economic damages are simple to calculate. They are tied to exact dollar amounts that were lost due to the accident. Think things like medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages.

Non-economic damages are for losses that don’t directly have dollar amounts tied to them. For example: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment etc.

If the car accident was fatal one can also sue for wrongful death damages. In rare and extreme cases with extreme behavior or recklessness, there may also be punitive damages to punish the liable party.

If you are injured in a Las Vegas T-bone accident, it’s essential to prioritize safety, then legal protection. Early action and good documentation can help protect your health and legal claim.

Here are some steps you can consider following:

1. Make sure you and others are safe. Move out of traffic if possible to prevent further harm.
2. Call 911 to ensure law enforcement documents the crash and makes an official report.
3. Seek medical attention immediately, even if there are no symptoms or they seem minor. Some injuries like whiplash can take time to show symptoms.
4. Take photos and videos of the scene. This includes vehicle damage, intersection layout, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
5. Collect the names, contact information, and statements from witnesses and other involved drivers.
6. Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting blame when speaking to insurance companies. We recommend talking to a lawyer before you talk to insurance providers.
7. If you want to, contact a Las Vegas T-bone accident attorney early to help preserve evidence and protect your claim.

These are some of the more common causes of T-bone accidents. Please note that some of these causes were derived from general car accident data.

Red-Light Running

Running a red light is one of the most common causes of T-bone crashes. IIHS links front-into-side collisions closely with red-light violations.

Failure to Stop or Yield

Data from FHWA indicates that angle crashes are the most common type at stop-controlled intersections.

Unsafe Left Turns

The FHWA says that left-turns across oncoming traffic are a major crash type at intersections.

Speeding

Speeding gives drivers less time to react at intersections. The NHTSA states speeding increases both crash risk and injury severity.

Distracted Driving

A distracted driver may miss a red light, stop sign, or crossing vehicle. The NHTSA warns that any non-driving activity can increase crash risk.

Alcohol Impairment

Driving under the influence of too much alcohol is dangerous. The NHTSA says crash risk rises sharply at a BAC of .08 or higher.

Poor Intersection Design

Some intersections are harder to navigate due to skewed angles or poor layout. The FHWA found fewer driver errors at right-angle intersections than skewed intersections.

A T-bone accident is not a minor crash in many cases. Side impacts can be severe because there is less space between the person and the striking vehicle.

For some people, recovering from accident injuries can take months. For others, the negative effects remain for a much longer time period.

Here are some of the more common injuries from T-bone crashes:

• Head trauma is one of the more common injuries. This can range from minor bumps to serious brain damage. A concussion or traumatic brain injury can happen from the violent motion or from hitting part of the vehicle.
• Neck injuries are also common. Whiplash can happen when the head and neck are thrown side to side.
• A serious side impact can damage the spinal cord. That can lead to partial or full paralysis.
• Some injuries happen inside the body. Internal organ damage and internal bleeding are possible after a forceful hit.
• Broken bones are common in T-bone crashes, especially ribs, the pelvis, and shoulders.
• Facial injuries can happen after contact with windows, doors, or other structural parts of the vehicle.

This section reviews some of the laws relevant to T-bone accident claims in Nevada.

Disclaimer: These law summaries are not exhaustive and are provided for general understanding only. They reflect Nevada law at the time of writing and may be subject to updates or change. For legal advice or a full interpretation, consult an attorney. Always check with an attorney or the Nevada Legislature for the most current information.

Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Law

NRS 41.141 – Allows an injured person to recover damages if they are not more at fault than the defendant or combined defendants, with the award reduced by their percentage of fault.

Example: An injured driver is found to be 40% at fault for a T-bone accident, while the other driver is 60% at fault for running a red light. If the total damages are $100,000, the injured driver can still recover compensation, but it would be reduced by 40%, resulting in a $60,000 recovery.

Nevada’s Statute of Limitations

NRS 11.190 – Requires personal injury and wrongful death claims to be filed within 2 years of the injury or death caused by another’s wrongful act.

Nevada Specific Laws related to T-Bone Accidents

NRS 41.130 – Holds a person (and potentially their employer) liable for damages when they cause injury through wrongful acts, neglect, or default.

NRS 41.085 – Allows heirs and personal representatives to bring a lawsuit and recover damages when a person’s death is caused by another’s wrongful act or negligence.

NRS 484B.250 – Requires drivers to yield the right-of-way at intersections based on position and timing.

NRS 484B.253 – Requires drivers turning left at an intersection to yield to oncoming traffic that poses an immediate hazard.

NRS 484B.257 – Requires drivers to stop at stop signs or yield at yield signs and give the right-of-way to vehicles already in or approaching the intersection.

NRS 484B.270 – Requires drivers to exercise due care, yield when required, and maintain safe distance when interacting with bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and pedestrians.

NRS 484E.010 – Requires a driver involved in a crash causing injury or death to immediately stop, remain at the scene, and fulfill required duties.

NRS 484E.030 – Requires drivers involved in a crash to provide identifying information, show their license upon request, render reasonable aid to injured persons, and report the crash if no police officer is present.

T-bone accidents can be more dangerous than some other kind of car accidents like rear-end or front-end crashes. This is mostly because of where the impact happens. The side of a vehicle has less space and less structure to absorb force.

In a front crash, the hood and engine area can help take some of the impact. In a rear crash, the trunk area can absorb some force. In a side crash, the hit is much closer to the people inside.

Limited Side Protection Compared to Front and Rear Crumple Zones

Front and rear crumple zones are common in newer vehicles. They help take in crash energy. The sides of most cars do not have the same amount of space or structure. Passengers are closer to the point of impact, with less material between them and the striking vehicle. Side airbags can help, but serious injury is still possible.

Higher Likelihood of Intersection Speeds and Direct Impact

Since many T-bone crashes happen at intersections these crashes are often unexpected. Drivers and passengers may have little or no time to react or brace for impact.

Increased Risk of Multi-Vehicle Collisions and Secondary Impacts

It’s important to note that side impact can also push a vehicle into another lane. That can lead to more crashes with other cars. These dynamics can cause a vehicle to spin, roll over, or strike another fixed object.

Each additional impact can increase the severity of injuries. It can also make fault issues more complex.

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7785 W Sahara Ave Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117