T-bone accidents can change everything in a split second — one moment you’re driving through an intersection, the next you’re blindsided by another vehicle crashing into your door. These side-impact collisions are some of the most dangerous on Arizona roads, often leaving drivers and passengers with serious injuries and even more serious questions: who’s at fault, and how do you get the compensation you need? In this guide, we’ll walk you through what causes these crashes, how fault is determined, and what steps you should take right now to protect yourself.
What Does T-Bone Mean In A Car Accident
A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact or broadside collision, happens when the front of one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another, forming a “T” shape on impact. These crashes usually take place at intersections, often when a driver runs a red light, blows through a stop sign, or misjudges a left turn across oncoming traffic.
In fact, many left-turn collisions result in T-bone crashes, especially when the turning driver fails to yield and crosses into the path of a vehicle going straight. Technically, T-bones fall under a broader category called angle collisions, which includes any crash where vehicles strike at an angle that isn’t head-on or rear-end, like a front-corner impact or a diagonal hit at a merge.
What Causes T-Bone Collisions in Arizona?
Most T-bone collisions in Arizona begin with a single lapse in judgment at an intersection, and the results can be devastating. These crashes often happen when a driver ignores traffic signals, fails to yield during a turn, or simply isn’t paying attention. In cities like Phoenix and Tucson, intersections such as 67th Avenue & McDowell Road or Broadway Boulevard & Alvernon Way have seen frequent side-impact crashes due to high speeds, heavy traffic, and poor visibility.
According to ADOT’s 2023 report, angle and left-turn collisions combined accounted for 874 alcohol-related crashes, a clear sign of how dangerous these moments of carelessness can be. Here are the most common causes behind T-bone crashes across Arizona:
- Running red lights or stop signs – A leading cause, especially at busy urban intersections where drivers try to “beat the light.” Disregarding traffic signals, a common red-light-running behavior, caused 5,864 crashes and contributed to 2.88% of fatal crashes statewide in 2023.
- Unsafe left turns – Failing to yield to oncoming traffic or misjudging a safe gap while turning often leads to side-impact crashes. Failure to yield was involved in 22,559 crashes, making it one of the top behaviors linked to intersection crashes.
- Distracted driving – Texting, using navigation apps, or adjusting in-car systems can cause drivers to miss critical signals or traffic flow.
- Driving under the influence – Alcohol or drug impairment drastically reduces reaction time and spatial judgment, increasing the odds of crashing into another vehicle’s side.
- Speeding – Approaching intersections too fast gives drivers little time to react to changing lights or crossing vehicles.
- Obstructed views – Parked cars, large trucks, or poorly lit rural intersections can block visibility, causing drivers to enter the roadway unsafely.
- Confusion at four-way stops – When drivers aren’t sure who has the right of way, it only takes one false move to cause a broadside collision.
No matter the cause, the outcome is often the same: crushed vehicle sides, severe injuries, and lives turned upside down. And when you’re the one who got hit, proving what really happened and who is at fault can make or break your ability to recover damages.
Who’s at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
The fault in a T-bone accident depends entirely on the circumstances, and not every crash plays out the way you’d expect. We’ve analyzed the most common fault scenarios in Arizona and how they might be handled:
The Other Driver Ran a Red Light or Stop Sign
If another driver sped through a red light or ignored a stop sign and struck the side of your vehicle, they’re almost always at fault. Arizona law under A.R.S. §28-645 requires drivers to obey traffic control devices, including traffic lights and stop signs. Disregarding those signals isn’t just a ticketable offense; it’s considered negligence when it leads to a crash.
Example: You’re driving straight through a green light when another driver runs the red and T-bones your car. They violated traffic laws and are likely fully responsible for the accident.
You Were Making a Left Turn Across Oncoming Traffic
In Arizona, A.R.S. §28-772 makes it clear: drivers turning left must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle coming from the opposite direction if that vehicle is close enough to be a hazard. If you turn left across traffic and get hit mid-turn, fault may rest on you, even if you thought you had a safe gap.
Example: You begin a left turn across a two-way road, but an oncoming car crashes into your side. If that car had the right-of-way and you didn’t have a protected green arrow, you could be held responsible for the collision.
Both Drivers Share Responsibility
Some T-bone crashes involve shared blame. For instance, one driver may have made an unsafe turn, while the other was speeding or distracted. In these cases, Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law (A.R.S. §12-2505) kicks in. You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your percentage of blame will reduce your compensation.
Example: You turn left at a flashing yellow signal, thinking there’s enough time. The other driver is speeding through the intersection and hits you. Jurors found that you were 40% at fault, and the other driver was 60%. If you win a $100,000 settlement, you’d receive $60,000 after the reduction.
A Third Party Caused or Contributed to the Crash
Not all T-bone accidents are caused by one of the drivers. Poor road maintenance, obscured signs, broken traffic lights, or bad intersection design can create unsafe conditions that lead to side-impact crashes. In these cases, a government entity or property owner may share legal responsibility.
Example: Your view is blocked by an overgrown tree near the intersection. You cautiously proceed, thinking it’s clear, and another car slams into you. If that obstruction played a role in your decision, the local agency responsible for maintaining visibility may be partially liable.
Commercial or Rideshare Driver Involved
If the other driver was working at the time of the crash, such as delivering food, transporting passengers, or driving a company vehicle, their employer’s insurance could be involved. Under Arizona’s vicarious liability principles, an employer can be held responsible for their employee’s negligence if it happens within the scope of employment.
Example: A delivery driver makes a rushed left turn and crashes into your vehicle. Although the driver caused the accident, their employer’s commercial policy may cover your injuries and losses, which can be crucial if damages exceed Arizona’s minimum personal auto coverage limits.
Every T-bone accident comes with its own set of facts. Sorting out liability means more than just telling your side of the story, but proving it with real evidence, clear legal reasoning, and a comprehensive investigation process.
How Is Fault Investigated in T-bone Accidents in Arizona?
T-bone accidents often spark immediate blame and finger-pointing, but determining who’s legally at fault takes more than just a story. In Arizona, fault is investigated by law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and, in more complex cases, accident reconstruction experts. Police officers responding to the scene will assess physical evidence like skid marks, debris patterns, and the final position of the vehicles. They’ll also gather witness statements, check for surveillance or traffic camera footage, and document whether any traffic laws were violated, especially those outlined in A.R.S. §28-645 (traffic signals) and §28-772 (left-turn yielding).
If both drivers claim to have had the right of way, video footage or third-party witnesses often becomes the deciding factor. In more severe collisions, especially those involving fatalities or serious injuries, investigators may pull black box data from the vehicles or use crash reconstruction software to estimate speed, direction, and impact angle.
Insurance companies also launch their own investigations, comparing the damage patterns to each party’s version of events. But keep in mind that their goal isn’t to protect you, it’s to protect their bottom line. That’s why having legal representation early can make a major difference. A car wreck attorney can collect and preserve time-sensitive evidence, request public records, interview key witnesses, and consult independent experts to strengthen your claim and protect your side of the story for fair compensation.
What Insurance Covers a T-Bone Accident in Arizona?
After a T-bone crash, the financial impact hits fast, including hospital bills, car repairs, and time off work. In Arizona, who pays depends on who caused the crash and what type of coverage is available. Here’s how different insurance policies come into play after a side-impact accident:
The At-Fault Driver’s Liability Insurance
Arizona follows a fault-based system, so the driver who caused the accident is typically on the hook through their liability and property damage insurance. This coverage pays for the victim’s injuries, property damage, and other losses — up to the limits of the policy.
Example: A driver runs a red light and T-bones your car. They’re found 100% at fault. Their insurance covers your medical bills, car repairs, and possibly even your lost wages, but only up to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage, which is Arizona’s legal minimum under A.R.S. §28-4009.
Important: If multiple people are injured or your hospital bills are high, that basic coverage may run out quickly.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can step in if you have it. Arizona doesn’t require UM/UIM, but it’s one of the smartest add-ons you can carry.
Example: A driver with minimum coverage T-bones your car, and your ER bills alone exceed $40,000. Their insurer only pays $25,000. If you have UIM coverage, your policy can help bridge the gap so you’re not stuck covering the rest out of pocket.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
MedPay is optional coverage in Arizona that pays for medical expenses after a crash, no matter who was at fault. It’s especially useful for quick relief on emergency bills or ambulance costs while liability is still being investigated.
Example: You’re waiting at an intersection when another vehicle crashes into your side. You’re injured and taken to the ER. Even before liability is confirmed, your MedPay can help pay for your treatment immediately, often covering up to $5,000 or $10,000, depending on your policy.
Coverage When a Commercial or Rideshare Driver Is at Fault
If the T-bone crash involves a driver working at the time, such as an Uber, Amazon, or company van, their commercial auto insurance or employer’s liability policy may cover your damages. These policies often have higher limits than personal auto insurance.
Example: A delivery driver fails to yield and crashes into your vehicle. Because they were on the clock, their employer may be liable for your injuries, and the company’s insurance could offer coverage far beyond standard limits.
Personal Injury Claims for Full Compensation
Even if insurance pays out, it may not be enough to cover long-term treatment, lost earning potential, or non-economic damages like pain and suffering. In those cases, you have the right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver or other liable parties, such as an employer or municipality, to pursue full compensation.
Example: A faulty traffic light or obstructed intersection contributed to your crash. You may have a valid claim against the city or agency responsible for road safety, and that could open up an entirely different insurance channel tied to government liability.
Each insurance route has its own limits and fine print. And when multiple policies overlap or insurers start pointing fingers, having a legal advocate on your side can help you untangle it all and recover what you’re truly owed.
Our Car Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help After a T-Bone Crash
T-bone accidents are some of the most dangerous crashes on Arizona roads, and the aftermath can feel just as overwhelming as the impact itself. From determining fault to navigating multiple insurance policies, these cases often involve complex investigations, disputed liability, and high medical costs. That’s where we come in.
Our Phoenix-based car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling side-impact collision cases across Arizona, including those involving left-turn crashes, red-light violations, and commercial drivers. We know how to gather the right evidence, challenge lowball insurance offers, and fight for full compensation not just for your hospital bills, but for your pain, lost income, and long-term recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured in a T-bone accident, let us take the legal weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. Your case deserves more than a quick settlement, but it deserves the full attention of a team that knows exactly what’s at stake.