Understanding Broadside Collisions
T-bone car collisions, also known as angle or broadside collisions, are among the deadliest kinds of car accidents you could encounter on the roads. These happen when the front or back of a vehicle crashes into another’s side, forming a sort of a “T”. People in the car that gets broadsided are particularly at risk and can be seriously injured or worse. As such, it’s important for you to understand where and why these accidents typically occur and how you can avoid them.
What is a Broadside Collision?
Broadside collisions take place when two cars collide perpendicularly, resulting in a T-shaped accident. Often, the car hitting the side of the other vehicle is the ‘striker,’ while the one getting struck is the ‘struck.’ This often spells trouble for those in the struck car because it most likely hits the weakest point of the car, leaving the occupants exposed to serious risk.
While it’s important to understand every kind of road accident, broadside accidents stand out from the rest, like head-on or rear-end collisions, due to their heightened danger levels. In fact, the same can be said for sideswipe collisions—these just generally lead to vehicular damage and less severe injuries compared to a T-bone collision.
Common Causes of Broadside Collisions
Various factors can cause broadside crashes, but driver error or negligence is often a common denominator. These causes can include:
- Rushing through red lights: A prime cause and a dangerous one. Breaking this simple rule can have dire consequences and often results in a T-bone collision.
- Failing to yield: Especially at intersections where road signs are present, failure to yield can instigate a broadside collision.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol, drugs, and medication can all lead to poor judgment and inability to react or adhere to traffic rules, causing accidents.
- Texting while driving: A rising cause for concern, when drivers focus on their screens and not the road, they risk not just their lives but of others as well.
- Trucking accidents: These are unique and can often cause broadside collisions due to their large size, blind spots, and more.
Where Do Broadside Collisions Most Commonly Occur?
Broadside collisions can occur in various scenarios, most typically at intersections, parking lots, and when vehicles try to join moving traffic.
Intersections
Broadside collisions can happen anywhere on the road, but they are most common at intersections, where vehicles cross or turn in different directions. In fact, would you believe me if I told you that about 40% of all car accidents in the United States happen right here, at these intersections? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation. About half of these are broadside collisions, earning intersections the title of “Broadside Collision Hotspots.
Parking Lots
Parking lots, much like intersections, are hotspots for broadside collisions. They may not be high-speed zones, but they come with their unique challenges.
Parking lots are bustling with cars maneuvering in and out of spots while pedestrians add to the dynamic landscape. In all this hustle and bustle, a driver not paying attention can easily cause a side-impact crash.
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