What Is a Broadside Crash?

Key Takeaways

• Broadside crashes account for nearly one-third of all motor vehicle collisions in the United States each year.
• T-bone impacts are especially dangerous because vehicle doors offer limited structural protection compared to front and rear bumpers.
• Intersections, parking lots, and highway on-ramps are among the most common locations where these collisions occur.
• Washington’s comparative fault rule allows injured drivers to recover damages even when they share partial responsibility for the crash.
• Documenting the scene, seeking immediate medical care, and contacting an attorney early are important steps after a side-impact collision.

A broadside crash can happen in seconds, often without any warning, and the consequences can range from serious injury to permanent disability. When one vehicle strikes the side of another at or near a 90-degree angle, the occupants of the struck vehicle absorb a tremendous amount of force with very little structural protection between them and the point of impact. At Dubin Law Group, our Car Accident Lawyers regularly work with people injured in these collisions throughout Seattle and across Washington, and we understand how overwhelming the aftermath can be.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Washington

At the Dubin Law Group, our Seattle lawyers fight to get the best possible result in personal injury cases of all types. Our team of attorneys brings nearly 200 years of cumulative experience to these cases.

request free consultation call us at (206) 800-8000

Understanding Broadside Crashes

Also called T-bone or side-impact collisions, broadside crashes occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side door or panel of another. The name comes from the shape the two vehicles form at the moment of impact. These crashes differ from rear-end or head-on collisions in one important way: the struck vehicle offers almost no crumple zone on its side to absorb energy before it reaches the occupants.

According to the National Safety Council’s motor vehicle crash type data, angle collisions, the category that includes broadside impacts, accounted for 3,040,000 crashes in 2024, representing 32.7% of all collisions between motor vehicles. That figure underscores just how frequently these impacts occur and why understanding your legal options after one matters.

The force involved in a broadside crash depends on vehicle speed, the point of impact along the door panel, and the size difference between the two vehicles. A larger vehicle striking a smaller sedan at moderate speed can produce injuries far more severe than the damage to either vehicle might suggest.

Common Scenarios Where These Impacts Happen

Broadside collisions tend to cluster in specific situations where vehicle paths cross without adequate warning or response time. Recognizing these patterns helps illustrate how quickly fault and liability can come into play. Common scenarios include:

• Intersection failures. A driver runs a red light or stop sign and strikes a vehicle that had the right of way crossing the intersection.
• Left-turn collisions. A turning driver misjudges the speed or distance of oncoming traffic and pulls into the path of an approaching vehicle.
• Parking lot impacts. Low-speed but high-frequency crashes occur when drivers back out of spaces or cross lanes without checking for cross-traffic.
• Highway merges and on-ramps. Drivers entering a highway fail to yield properly and strike the side of a vehicle already traveling in the lane.
• Distracted or impaired driving. A driver who is texting, fatigued, or under the influence drifts through a controlled intersection without slowing.

Each scenario involves a different combination of factors, and determining who had the legal right-of-way at the critical moment is often where liability turns.

Why Are Side Impact Accidents So Dangerous?

The structural reality of most passenger vehicles puts occupants at a serious disadvantage in a side-impact collision. Front and rear bumpers are engineered with crumple zones designed to absorb and redirect crash energy. The side of a vehicle, by contrast, relies primarily on door panels, window glass, and whatever side-curtain airbag technology is present. In older vehicles, that protection is minimal.

When a broadside crash occurs at higher speeds, the door panel can intrude significantly into the passenger compartment before occupants have any chance to react. The result is direct contact between the occupant and hard interior surfaces, which produces a distinct pattern of injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries from head contact with windows or door frames
• Broken ribs, clavicle fractures, and other chest injuries
• Pelvis and hip fractures on the side closest to impact
• Spinal injuries, including herniated discs and vertebral fractures
• Internal organ damage, particularly to the liver, spleen, and kidneys
• Shoulder and arm injuries from direct intrusion

Children and older adults face elevated risk because their bodies absorb lateral forces differently. Even at speeds that might produce only minor damage to vehicles, occupants can sustain injuries that require surgery, extended rehabilitation, or long-term care.

Who Can Be at Fault in Broadside Collisions?

Fault in a broadside crash is rarely automatic, even when the physical evidence appears straightforward. Washington applies a comparative fault standard under RCW 4.22.005, which means that fault can be divided among multiple parties, and each party’s compensation is reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility. Critically, a claimant who bears partial fault does not lose the right to recover entirely. Recovery is reduced, not eliminated.

Potentially liable parties in a broadside collision may include:

• The driver who failed to yield, ran a traffic control device, or turned without adequate clearance
• A municipality or road authority if signal malfunctions, missing signage, or poor visibility conditions contributed to the crash
• A vehicle manufacturer, if a defective braking system, faulty signals, or inadequate side-impact protection played a role
• An employer, if the at-fault driver was operating a commercial vehicle within the scope of their job

Establishing fault requires a careful review of police reports, traffic camera footage, physical evidence at the scene, and witness accounts. In disputed cases, accident reconstruction specialists may be needed to establish vehicle speeds and positions at the moment of impact. Acting quickly after a collision helps preserve this evidence before it disappears.

Typical Steps to Take After a Broadside Crash

The actions taken following a side-impact collision can significantly shape the outcome of a future claim. What gets documented, reported, and preserved in those first hours matters more than most people realize, and taking the right steps early puts injured people in a stronger position:

• Call 911. Report the crash and request medical assistance even if injuries seem minor. A police report creates an official record of the incident.
• Seek medical evaluation immediately. Some injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, do not produce obvious symptoms right away.
• Document the scene. Photograph vehicle positions, damage, traffic controls, skid marks, and any visible injuries before vehicles are moved.
• Collect contact and insurance information. Gather details from the other driver, any passengers, and independent witnesses.
• Avoid recorded statements. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before consulting with an attorney.
• Contact a personal injury attorney. Early legal guidance helps protect your rights, preserves evidence, and positions your claim for the strongest possible outcome.

Compensable Damages Available

A successful broadside crash claim in Washington can include compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, covering the real financial and personal toll the collision has created, including:

• Medical expenses. Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescription costs, and any future treatment required by the injuries.
• Lost wages. Income lost during recovery, including self-employment income and any reduction in future earning capacity if the injuries limit the ability to work.
• Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and the diminished quality of daily life caused by the injuries.
• Property damage. Repair or replacement costs for the vehicle and any personal property damaged in the collision.
• Long-term care costs. If the injuries require ongoing support, adaptive equipment, or home modifications, those future costs are part of the claim.

The value of each category depends on the severity of the injuries, the length of recovery, and the documented impact on the injured person’s daily life and financial stability.

Call a Car Accident Attorney Now for a Free Consultation

A broadside crash leaves little time to prepare, and the decisions made in the days that follow can shape the outcome of a claim. Dubin Law Group handles car accident cases throughout Seattle and Washington with the focus these claims require. Call us today at (206) 800-8000 to speak with a car accident attorney about your situation and your options.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matt Dubin has spent more than 20 years honing his skills as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the State of Washington. In his career, Matt has focused on protecting consumers from dangerous household products, medical mistakes, roadway accidents, and many other causes of injury. Matt has recovered nearly $20 million on behalf of his clients.

Education

• License Number: 25378
• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

request free consultation call us at (206) 800-8000