T-bone accidents in Lubbock, Texas are particularly dangerous because the door panels offer minimal protection—just a thin sheet of metal and glass between you and thousands of pounds of force.
I’m James Perrin, and as an experienced Lubbock T-bone accident lawyer, I’ve spent over two decades helping car accident victims across Lubbock recover from these devastating side-impact crashes.
The physics of a T-bone crash work against you. Unlike the front and rear of your vehicle, which have crumple zones designed to absorb impact, the side of your car provides almost no buffer.
When another driver runs a red light at 19th and University or fails to yield at Slide Road, the resulting impact often causes catastrophic injuries to everyone in the vehicle, especially those seated on the struck side.
These crashes frequently result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken ribs, and internal bleeding that require immediate treatment at UMC or Covenant.
As your T-bone accident attorney in Lubbock, Texas, I understand that you’re dealing with more than just physical injuries. Medical bills are piling up, you can’t work, and the insurance company is already trying to minimize what happened to you.
At Perrin Law PLLC Injury & Accident Lawyer, I handle every aspect of your case personally—from investigating the intersection where your crash occurred to fighting insurance companies that want to blame you for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You don’t pay anything unless I win your case, which means I only succeed when you get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of T-Bone Crashes in Lubbock
Most side-impact collisions aren’t random accidents—they’re the result of someone breaking traffic laws or driving carelessly. Understanding what caused your crash helps me build a stronger case and hold the right people accountable.
Red Light and Stop Sign Violations
Running a red light is one of the deadliest mistakes a driver can make, especially when drunk drivers speed through intersections without regard for traffic signals. When someone blows through an intersection, they slam into vehicles that have the legal right-of-way. These crashes happen at full speed because the victim has no time to brake or swerve.
Left Turn Failures
Many T-bone accidents occur when drivers make unsafe left turns. They might misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic or try to “beat” a yellow light. Some drivers simply don’t look carefully before turning, cutting directly across another vehicle’s path.
Distracted or Impaired Driving
Distracted drivers who are texting, talking on phones, or under the influence often miss traffic signals completely. They drive straight through intersections without slowing down, creating devastating side-impact crashes. As a Lubbock T-bone accident lawyer, I investigate phone records and toxicology reports to prove these dangerous behaviors.
Failure to Yield From Side Streets
T-bone crashes also happen when drivers pull out from parking lots, driveways, or side streets without yielding. They may not see approaching traffic or incorrectly assume they have enough time to enter the roadway safely.
Speeding Through Yellow Lights
Aggressive drivers who speed up to avoid red lights put everyone at risk. High-speed impacts cause more severe injuries and give other drivers less time to react to dangerous situations.
What to Do After a T-Bone Collision in Lubbock
The actions you take immediately after a side-impact crash can protect your health and strengthen your legal case. Even if you’re shaken up, following these steps gives you the best chance of recovery.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Call 911 and request paramedics, even if you feel fine. Some injuries like internal bleeding or brain trauma don’t show symptoms right away. Getting examined at UMC Health System or Covenant Medical Center creates an official record of your injuries and ensures you receive proper treatment.
Document the Scene Thoroughly
If you’re physically able, use your phone to capture evidence before it disappears:
- Vehicle positions: Show how the cars ended up after impact
- Damage patterns: Document all vehicle damage from multiple angles
- Road conditions: Photograph skid marks, debris, and traffic signals
- Environmental factors: Record weather, lighting, and visibility conditions
Collect Witness Information
Bystanders often leave quickly, so get their names and phone numbers while they’re still at the scene. Ask what they saw and if they noticed which driver had the green light or right-of-way.
Avoid Insurance Company Traps
The other driver’s insurance adjuster will likely call within hours asking for a recorded statement. You’re not required to give one, and I strongly advise against it. Even innocent comments like “I’m okay” can be used to minimize your injuries later.
Contact me today to schedule your free case review before speaking with any insurance companies.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a T-Bone Crash?
Texas law holds the negligent party financially responsible for damages in car accidents. In T-bone cases, liability often depends on who had the right-of-way, but multiple parties might share responsibility.
The at-fault driver bears primary responsibility for violating traffic laws or driving carelessly. However, if they were working at the time, their employer might also be liable under vicarious liability rules. Commercial companies must ensure their drivers follow safety regulations and maintain proper insurance coverage.
Government entities can be held accountable if dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash. This includes poorly designed intersections, malfunctioning traffic signals, or inadequate signage that confused drivers about right-of-way rules.
As your car accident attorney in Lubbock, I investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties and maximize your potential recovery.
How I Prove Fault in Side-Impact Cases
Insurance companies will try to shift blame to you or claim the accident was unavoidable. I counter these tactics by building cases based on solid evidence that clearly shows what happened and who was at fault.
Traffic Camera and Signal Data
Many Lubbock intersections have cameras that record traffic violations. I immediately send preservation letters to obtain this footage before it gets deleted, which can happen in just 30 days. Signal timing data can also prove which driver had the green light.
Vehicle Black Box Information
Modern cars have event data recorders that capture speed, braking, and steering inputs before crashes. This “black box” data provides objective proof of how each driver was behaving in the seconds before impact.
Accident Reconstruction Analysis
I work with experts who can recreate the crash using physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, and scientific principles. These professionals can determine vehicle speeds, impact angles, and driver actions to prove fault clearly to insurance companies or juries.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a T-Bone Accident?
Side-impact crashes often cause severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. Texas law allows you to seek compensation for all losses caused by someone else’s negligence.
Medical Expenses and Future Care
You can recover costs for all accident-related medical treatment:
- Emergency care: Ambulance transport, ER visits, and initial hospital stays
- Surgical procedures: Operations to repair broken bones, internal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries
- Rehabilitation services: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
- Future medical needs: Ongoing treatment, medications, and medical equipment
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you’re entitled to compensation for lost wages. More importantly, if catastrophic injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or force you to accept lower-paying work, I’ll seek damages for your reduced earning capacity over your lifetime.
Pain, Suffering, and Life Changes
Non-economic damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional trauma, and how the accident has affected your daily life. This includes compensation for activities you can no longer enjoy and the mental anguish caused by permanent disabilities.
Property Damage and Personal Items
You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, plus any personal belongings damaged in the crash. If your car’s value decreased even after repairs, you may also receive compensation for diminished value.
Can I Still Recover if I’m Partially at Fault?
Yes, Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule that allows recovery even if you share some blame. As long as you’re less than 51% responsible for the accident, you can still receive compensation reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you entered an intersection on a yellow light but the other driver ran a red light, you might be found 20% at fault. Your total compensation would be reduced by 20%, but you’d still recover 80% of your damages.
Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of blame to reduce their payouts. As your Lubbock T-bone accident attorney, I fight these tactics to ensure fault is assigned fairly based on the actual evidence.
How Long Do You Have to File a T-Bone Accident Claim?
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline, called the statute of limitations, is strictly enforced by courts. Missing it usually means losing your right to compensation forever.
However, claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines—sometimes just six months to file a notice of claim. That’s why it’s crucial to contact me immediately after any serious accident.
Evidence also disappears quickly after crashes. Surveillance footage gets deleted, witnesses forget details, and physical evidence gets cleaned up. The sooner I can start investigating your case, the stronger your claim will be.
Dealing With Uninsured or Hit-and-Run Drivers
If the driver who hit you fled the scene or doesn’t have insurance, you still have options for recovery. I immediately launch investigations using surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to identify hit-and-run drivers.
Your own auto insurance policy likely provides coverage for these situations:
| Scenario | Coverage Options |
| Uninsured driver | Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage pays for injuries and damages |
| Hit-and-run driver | UM coverage applies while I investigate to find the at-fault driver |
| Underinsured driver | Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage supplements insufficient liability limits |
Many people don’t realize their car insurance covers them as pedestrians or passengers in other vehicles. I review all available coverage sources to maximize your recovery.
Will Your Case Go to Trial or Settle?
Most T-bone accident cases settle out of court through negotiations with insurance companies. However, insurers are more likely to offer fair settlements when they know your lawyer is prepared to take the case to trial if necessary.
I prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. This means gathering expert witnesses, developing compelling evidence, and building arguments that clearly show the other driver’s fault and the full extent of your damages.
This trial-ready approach puts maximum pressure on insurance companies to resolve cases fairly. They know I won’t accept lowball offers that leave you struggling with medical bills and lost income.
Why Choose Perrin Law PLLC Injury & Accident Lawyer
When you’re dealing with serious injuries from a T-bone crash, the lawyer you choose makes all the difference. I provide the personal attention and aggressive representation you need to get your life back on track.
You’ll work directly with me throughout your case, not with paralegals or junior attorneys. I limit the number of cases I take so each client gets the time and attention they deserve. Insurance companies know I’m not afraid to go to court when they refuse to be fair.
I represent injured Texans and understand how insurance companies operate and what it takes to win. I know the local courts, judges, and legal procedures that can affect your case outcome.
Most importantly, you pay nothing unless I win your case. My contingency fee structure means I only get paid when you receive compensation, so my success depends entirely on yours.
What It Costs to Hire a Lubbock T-Bone Accident Lawyer
You don’t need money upfront to hire me. I handle all T-bone accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless I successfully recover compensation for you.
This arrangement allows you to get experienced legal representation without worrying about hourly rates or retainer fees while you’re already dealing with medical bills and lost wages from your injuries.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
T-bone accidents can change your life in an instant, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The sooner you have an experienced lawyer protecting your rights, the better your chances of getting the compensation you need to recover.
I offer free consultations where we’ll discuss what happened, review your medical treatment, and explain your legal options. You’ll get honest answers about your case’s value and the best path forward—with no obligation or pressure.
Evidence disappears quickly after serious accidents, so don’t wait to get help. Call now or use my online form to schedule your free T-bone accident case review. I’ll personally evaluate your situation and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About T-Bone Accidents
Can I File a Claim if the Police Didn’t Issue a Traffic Ticket?
Yes, you can still pursue compensation even if no citations were issued. Police tickets help establish fault, but I can prove negligence using witness statements, traffic camera footage, and vehicle damage analysis.
How Quickly Can You Obtain Intersection Camera Footage in Lubbock?
I send preservation letters immediately to ensure this important evidence is preserved. Most footage can be secured within one to two weeks if we act fast enough.
What if I Entered the Intersection on a Yellow Light?
You can still recover damages if the other driver ran a red light. Texas comparative fault law may reduce your compensation slightly, but you’re still entitled to most of your damages.
What Should I Do if the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
Your Uninsured Motorist coverage should compensate you for injuries and damages. I’ll also investigate thoroughly to locate the driver and explore other potential sources of recovery.
How Do You Document Injuries From a Side-Impact Crash?
Seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations. T-bone crashes commonly cause head injuries, spinal damage, broken ribs, and internal bleeding that require prompt professional evaluation.
Can Passengers File Claims After T-Bone Accidents?
Absolutely. Passengers can pursue claims against any at-fault driver’s insurance, including the driver of the vehicle they were riding in when the accident occurred.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After a T-Bone Crash in Texas?
You have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, but critical evidence disappears much sooner. Contact me immediately to preserve your strongest possible case.
Will My Pre-Existing Injuries Affect My T-Bone Accident Claim?
No, you’re entitled to compensation if the accident worsened existing conditions or caused new injuries. I work with medical experts to distinguish between pre-existing problems and crash-related harm.
