Who’s At Fault in a T-Bone Accident in Charlotte, NC?

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Who’s At Fault in a T-Bone Accident in Charlotte, NC?

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Determining who’s at fault in a T-bone accident can be tricky. In most cases, one driver is found at fault. However, both drivers may be at fault in some cases, or a third party could be involved. That’s because several factors can contribute to these accidents.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our Charlotte car accident lawyers have years of experience helping car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact a car accident lawyer today for a free consultation if you have questions about who is at fault in a T-bone accident.

What is a T-Bone Accident?

T-bone collisions, also considered side-impact collisions, occur when one driver collides with the side of another vehicle. These accidents often happen at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way.  Maybe the other driver ran a red light or a stop sign, putting them in the line of oncoming traffic. They also occur when a driver loses control of their car and skids sideways. T-bone accidents are particularly dangerous because at least one of the cars involved tends to be traveling at a high speed, and there is little to protect the drivers and passengers from injury.

What Causes a T-Bone Car Accident? 

Several things can cause a T-bone collision. Some common causes include:

  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Failing to yield
  • Making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic
  • Wrong-way driving

How Common are T-Bone Accidents in Charlotte?

There is no exact data for T-bone accidents in Charlotte. However, one of the most common causes of t-bone accidents is wrong-way driving which, according to the NCDOT, occurred almost 100 times between 2018 and 2019 in Charlotte, causing 26 fatalities.

What to Do After a T-Bone Car Accident

If you have been involved in a T-bone car accident, there are a few things you should do:

  • Get medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent.
  • Contact your insurance company. Let them know what happened and provide them with any information they need.
  • Contact a personal injury lawyer. A car accident attorney can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve.

Types of T-Bone Car Accident Injuries

The types of injuries that can occur in a T-bone accident vary depending on the vehicle’s speed and the amount of protection offered by the car. Some common injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that can occur in any accident but is particularly common in T-bone car accidents. It occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and back again. This often causes damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are another common injury in a T-bone crash. When two cars collide, the force of the impact can cause the drivers and passengers to be thrown around inside the car or even out of the vehicle. This can lead to broken bones, particularly in the arms and legs.

Back, Chest, and Pelvic Injuries

Back, chest, and pelvic injuries are some of the most serious types of injuries that can occur in a T-bone accident. These injuries can be life-threatening and often require surgery. They occur when the driver or passenger is thrown against the dashboard or another hard surface in the car.

Concussions

Concussions are caused by the sudden movement of the head, which can cause the brain to hit against the inside of the skull. This can lead to various symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.

Airbag Injuries

Airbag injuries occur when the airbags in a car deploy during an accident. They can cause a range of injuries, including burns, lacerations, and broken bones.

Liable Parties in a Charlotte T-Bone Accident

In any car accident case, determining who is at fault is a key part of the process. In most cases, the driver who caused the accident is found liable. However, there may be other factors that contribute to liability. Such as:

The Vehicle Manufacturer

In some cases, the car’s manufacturer may be found liable for a T-bone accident. This is usually the case if there is a defect in the vehicle that contributed to the accident. For example, if the brakes failed or the airbags did not deploy properly.

A Third Party

A third party can also be liable in a T-bone accident. This could be a driver that makes a left turn on red, putting themselves in front of an oncoming car, causing that driver to swerve to avoid the collision, making them hit another vehicle. It is likely the driver who made the illegal turn would be liable for damages in this situation.

Contributory Negligence in North Carolina 

North Carolina is one of very few states that follows the contributory negligence doctrine. This doctrine states that if a driver is found to be even partially at fault for the accident, they are not entitled to any damages. This means if you are partially at fault for the accident in any way, you will not be able to recover any damages from the negligent party.

How Your Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyer Will Prove Liability

Your Charlotte personal injury lawyer will investigate the accident to try and determine who is liable. They will look at factors such as police reports, witness statements, and any cameras that may have captured the traffic accident, including any possible dash-cams. Depending on the nature and severity of the alleged injuries, they may also consult an expert’s opinion to try and prove that the other driver was at fault.

How Do I Prepare for My Case?

There are a few things you can do to ensure your claim is successful:

  • Make sure you have all of your medical bills and receipts.
  • Keep a record of any lost wages.
  • Document the pain and suffering you have endured.
  • Take pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
  • If there were any witnesses, get their contact information.
  • Get a copy of the police report.

Damages You Can Recover in a T-Bone Car Accident Claim

If you are successful in your T-bone collision accident claim, you may be entitled to a range of damages. These could include:

Medical Expenses

You can claim any medical bills that you have incurred due to the accident. This could include hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication costs.

Lost Wages

You can also claim any lost wages that you have suffered due to the accident. This could include the wages you have missed out on due to being unable to work, as well as the money you will lose in the future if you are unable to return to work.

Pain and Suffering

You can also claim the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the accident. This could include physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress.

Wrongful Death

If someone has died due to the accident, you can make a wrongful death claim. This could include damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of income for your family member.

Factors That Impact Your Settlement

Your settlement in a T-bone accident will be based on several factors. The first is who is found at fault for the accident. If you are found to be at fault, even just 1%, you will not recover compensation. Another factor that can impact your settlement is the severity of your injuries. If you sustained serious injuries, you would likely receive a higher settlement than if your injuries were minor.

The final factor that can impact your settlement is the drivers’ insurance policies. If one or both drivers do not have insurance, your settlement may be lower than if both drivers had applicable insurance.

t bone car accident damage in an intersection

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte Today

Our auto accident attorneys have experience with all personal injury cases, including car accidents. We are not afraid to take on insurance companies to help you obtain fair compensation. We value the attorney-client relationship and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.

Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for your free initial consultation and learn more about what we can do to help you. We will answer your questions and explain your legal options.

301 S McDowell St #1016
Charlotte, NC 28204

Phone: (704) 676-1093
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

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Updated March 28, 2025

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is providing notice of an event that may affect certain individuals’ information. Although we have no indication of identity theft or fraud in relation to this event, we are providing information about the event, our response, and additional measures individuals can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 28, 2024, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor identified suspicious activity related to our email system. We quickly took steps to investigate and determined that an unknown actor may have accessed certain emails within our email system between August 7 and November 7, 2024. We then conducted a comprehensive review of the potentially affected emails and attachments to determine what information was contained therein and to whom the information related, which was completed on February 25, 2025. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify the addresses of certain affected individuals, so we are providing this notice to ensure potentially affected individuals receive information about the event.

What Information Was Involved? The information affected may include individuals’ Social Security number, driver’s license and state ID information, financial account number, and health information.

What We Are Doing. We are notifying individuals about this matter and providing guidance about free resources that are available to assist with monitoring relevant accounts, credit reports, and how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on one’s credit file. Further, as with our typical security practices, we will continue to evaluate our policies, procedures, staff training, and technical security measures to reduce the likelihood of an event like this reoccurring.

What Individuals Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also recommend you review the below “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information”.

For More Information. If individuals have questions about this matter, we have a dedicated assistance line with agents ready to answer their questions. Please contact our toll-free dedicated assistance line at 1-800-939-4170, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., excluding holidays. You may also write to us at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, Attn: Compliance, P.O. Box 2688, Hickory, NC 28603.

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STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/

https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 1-202-442-9828; and oag.dc.gov.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; 1-401-274-4400; and www.riag.ri.gov. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event.
STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT A MINOR DEPENDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typically, credit reporting agencies do not have a credit report in a minor’s name. To find out if a minor has a credit report or to request a manual search for a minor’s Social Security number each credit bureau has its own process. To learn more about these processes or request these services, consumers may contact the credit bureaus by phone, writing, or online:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/request-child-credit-report/
https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources/child-identity-theft

1-800-685-1111 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

To request information about the existence of a credit file in a minor’s name, search for a minor’s Social Security number, place a security freeze or fraud alert on a minor’s credit report (if one exists), or request a copy of a minor’s credit report consumers may be required to provide the following information:
● A copy of their driver’s license or another government issued identification card, such as a state identification card, etc.;
● Proof of address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement, etc.;
● A copy of the minor’s birth certificate;
● A copy of the minor’s Social Security card;
● The minor’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc.;
● The minor’s date of birth; and
● The minor’s previous addresses for the past two years.

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