You enter an intersection ready to make a left turn. Out of nowhere, a car comes barreling toward you at high speed and slams into your passenger doors. You’re now the victim of a side impact crash, also known as a T-bone accident. These types of wrecks often happen at intersections and can cause serious damage. If this has happened to you in Las Vegas, you’re probably wondering who’s to blame and how you’ll get help paying for the damage or injuries.
Figuring out who’s at fault in side impact accidents isn’t always easy. Both drivers might say they had the right of way. That’s why it’s important to understand how police officers and insurance companies decide who caused the crash.
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Common Causes of Side Impact Collisions
Side-impact crashes usually happen at intersections when one driver runs a red light, doesn’t yield, or simply isn’t paying attention. In Las Vegas, intersections around busy areas with many tourists can be confusing and packed with cars. That makes mistakes more likely, especially for drivers who don’t know the area well.
Take the intersection at Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, for example. It’s one of the busiest spots in the city. Imagine you’re driving through on a green light, doing everything right, when another driver—maybe distracted by the lights and crowds or relying too much on their GPS—runs a red light and hits the side of your car. In that situation, it’s usually clear the other driver is at fault because they broke the traffic rules.
But not every accident is that simple. Sometimes, both drivers may share some of the blame. Maybe one person was speeding, or neither person paid close attention to the signals. Figuring out who’s at fault often takes a closer look at the whole picture.
How Fault is Determined
When trying to determine who’s at fault in a side-impact crash, police officers and insurance companies examine several key pieces of evidence. They check police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and even clues left at the scene, like skid marks or car damage.
Police reports are especially important in these types of crashes. Officers usually write down everything they see at the scene, including where the cars ended up, what the road looked like, what signs or signals were nearby, and what each driver said happened. If someone ran a red light or made a bad left turn, that’s the kind of detail that will show up in the report.
For example, if you were driving straight through a green light on Tropicana Avenue and someone crashed into you, the police report would likely say you had the right of way. That kind of info can really help when dealing with the insurance company. But if both drivers say they had a green light, things get trickier. In those cases, investigators might turn to video from traffic cameras or talk to people who saw the crash to figure out what really happened.
Key Factors Affecting Fault Determination
Several critical factors influence how insurers and authorities assess fault in a side impact collision:
- Traffic Signal Compliance—Did both drivers clearly follow traffic signals and signage? Failure to obey signals strongly indicates fault.
- Driver Distraction or Impairment—Was one driver distracted (by texting or sightseeing) or impaired by alcohol or drugs? If so, that can play a big role in deciding who was at fault.
- Vehicle Speed—Were drivers following posted speed limits? Excessive speeding can shift partial or full responsibility onto the speeding driver.
For instance, if you’re T-boned while turning left legally at an intersection, but the other driver who hit you was texting and didn’t notice their red light, clear fault typically rests on the distracted driver. Authorities and insurers will carefully evaluate evidence like mobile phone records, eyewitness testimonies, and intersection camera footage to verify distraction.
Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Rule and Its Impact
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule when it comes to car accidents. This means that both drivers can be assigned a percentage of fault based on what they did wrong. If you’re found to be less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your share of the blame. However, if you’re 50% or more at fault, you won’t be able to recover any damages at all.
Picture an accident at Sahara Avenue and Decatur Boulevard in Las Vegas. Say another driver ran a red light and hit you, but you were also speeding. The investigators might say the other driver is 80% at fault and you’re 20% at fault. You can still get money for your damages, but the total will be lowered by your share of the blame.
What to Do Right After a Side Impact Collision
Take immediate action if you’ve been involved in a side impact collision. This can improve your overall claim process, including ensuring fault is assigned correctly.
- Call 911 and Get a Police Report Right Away—Reporting the accident quickly means police can document what happened. Their report is strong proof for your case.
- Take Photos and Gather Evidence—Snap pictures of the accident scene, any damage, skid marks, traffic lights, and injuries. These photos help show what really happened.
- See a Doctor Even If You Feel Okay—Sometimes injuries don’t show up right away. Getting checked early helps protect your health and makes your claim stronger.
The Importance of Legal Representation in Side Impact Claims
Figuring out who’s at fault in a side impact crash can get tricky, especially when people don’t agree on what happened. Having a skilled Las Vegas car accident attorney helps make things clearer. These lawyers know exactly what evidence to collect and how to deal with insurance companies to get you fair compensation.
A good attorney can piece together the accident using witness statements, security cameras, and expert opinions. They also stop insurance companies from unfairly blaming you so that they can pay less. Using Nevada’s rules about shared fault, they make sure the blame is divided fairly.
Conclusion
Knowing how fault is decided in side impact crashes in Las Vegas can help you take the right steps and protect yourself. Understanding what authorities and insurance companies look for, gathering solid evidence, and getting expert legal help from an accident attorney can boost your chances of a fair settlement. With these steps, you can handle the challenges of your claim with confidence and get the support you deserve.