A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact or broadside collision, occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another, forming a "T" shape. These are among the most dangerous types of crashes because the sides of vehicles offer significantly less protection than the front or rear, leaving occupants highly vulnerable to serious injury.
The primary cause of a T-bone collision is typically a failure to yield the right of way, often at intersections. This includes running a red light or stop sign, misjudging a gap in traffic, or making an improper left turn in front of oncoming traffic. The dynamics of the crash are severe; the striking vehicle's front-end, which is designed with crumple zones to absorb impact, slams into the side of the other car, which has only a relatively thin door and a narrow pillar (the B-pillar) for protection. This direct transfer of force can lead to catastrophic results.
| Risk Factor | Data / Statistic | Source |
|---|
| Fatalities in side-impact crashes | 23% of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities | IIHS (2022) |
| Risk of serious injury | ~4x higher in near-side crashes compared to frontal impacts | NHTSA |
| Effectiveness of side airbags | Reduce driver deaths in side-impact crashes by 37% for cars | IIHS |
| Most common location for T-bone accidents | Intersections (over 50%) | National Safety Council |
| Occupant in struck vehicle mortality | 4x more likely to be killed than an occupant in the striking vehicle | NHTSA |
To reduce your risk, always approach intersections with caution, even with a green light. Look left, right, and left again before proceeding. Avoid distractions and ensure you have a clear, unobstructed view of cross-traffic. For your own protection, choose a vehicle with a high safety rating in side-impact tests and one equipped with modern safety features like side-curtain airbags and cross-traffic alert systems.
