A broadside collision occurs when the front end of one vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle. These accidents are also referred to as T-bone collisions, because of the "T" shape created by the vehicles when they collide. Broadside collisions have the potential to cause catastrophic harm to drivers and passengers because of the positioning of the vehicles. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), broadside accidents account for 18% of fatal crashes in the United States each year.
But where are broadside collisions more likely to occur, and why? Let's take a deeper look.
Intersections: The Most Common Locations for Broadside Collisions
A broadside collision can occur almost anywhere, but they are most common in intersections. These include any locations where two or more roads intersect. Intersections are an integral part of our country's entire roadway system, but they pose serious hazards simply because they force drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to interact with one another. Even with traffic signals or stop signs, traveling through an intersection is inherently more dangerous than traveling on an open road.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), about half of all traffic-related injuries in the U.S. occur in intersections. Intersections account for approximately one-fourth of all traffic fatalities each year. Intersections also present the greatest risk of a broadside collision because vehicles are more likely to be traveling perpendicular to one another.
Driveways, parking lots, and entrance ramps are other potential locations for broadside collisions. In a parking lot or driveway, for example, a driver may be struck in the side by another car while backing out. On an entrance ramp, a car attempting to merge into traffic may cause a broadside collision, either by striking or being struck by another vehicle.
Hypothetical Example: A Broadside Collision in Central Pennsylvania
On a rainy evening in Harrisburg, a schoolteacher drives home through a familiar four-way intersection. Temporary stop signs have replaced the traffic lights, but poor lighting and heavy rain limit visibility. She slows at the sign and eases into the intersection—just as a delivery van, following an outdated GPS route, barrels through without stopping. The van slams into her vehicle’s driver’s side, resulting in broken ribs, a compressed spine, and a fractured hip.
A subsequent inquiry reveals multiple failures:
- The delivery company neglected to update its drivers’ navigation systems for the detour.
- The city left the temporary stop signs unlit, making them almost invisible in the downpour.
This hypothetical—but realistic—scenario illustrates how broadside collisions often involve more than one at-fault party: the individual driver, their employer, and even municipalities responsible for traffic control.
Pennsylvania Broadside Accident Statistics
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, about 1 in 3 traffic accidents in the commonwealth in 2023 were classified as "angle" accidents, which involved 2 vehicles that collided at a "point of junction" like an intersection or driveway.
There were 33,168 angle accidents in 2023 that claimed 229 lives, making broadside collisions the second-highest cause of Pennsylvania traffic accident fatalities that year.
Why Do Broadside Collisions Happen?
Like other traffic accidents, most broadside collisions can be linked to driver carelessness, negligence, or wrongdoing. If a driver is distracted, drunk, or simply careless, he or she may blow right through a red light and run into another vehicle. The same thing can happen if a driver backs out of a parking space or driveway without checking for cross-traffic. These and other similar situations can lead to a broadside collision that causes serious injuries.
There is another factor to consider with broadside collisions, however, and that is the design of the intersection or roadway. A busy intersection with limited visibility that does not have a signal, stop sign, or yield sign could greatly increase the chances of a collision. A faulty traffic light or missing stop sign could lead to a serious broadside collision. So, in investigating the cause of a broadside accident, it is important to consider such external factors.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Broadside Collision?
When you’ve been seriously hurt in a broadside accident, it’s natural to assume the other driver is entirely to blame. And in many cases, that’s true. But the full story is often more complex. Fault in broadside crashes may involve multiple parties:
- Another Driver: If they were speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or ran a red light, they may be entirely liable.
- Local Municipality: If a traffic signal was malfunctioning or signage was missing, the city or township responsible for road maintenance might be at fault.
- Company or Employer: If the at-fault driver was working at the time, their employer may share liability under respondeat superior laws.
- Auto or Parts Manufacturer: If an airbag failed to deploy or another vehicle defect made the crash worse, the automaker may bear some responsibility.
Uncovering all potential sources of compensation requires a thorough investigation—something our team has been doing for Pennsylvania families for more than a century.
The Long-Term Impact of Broadside Accident Injuries
Broadside accidents are one of the most dangerous types of motor vehicle crashes, specifically to the occupants of the vehicle that is struck on the side. The person or persons sitting on the side of the vehicle that is hit may experience catastrophic injuries, particularly if it is not equipped with side-impact airbags.
Broadside accident injuries may include:
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
- Brain injuries
- Severe cuts and bruises
Victims may face long-term or permanent disabilities that affect every part of their lives, including their ability to work, drive, care for their families, or enjoy daily activities. The emotional impact can be just as devastating, particularly for survivors dealing with trauma, chronic pain, or disfigurement.
That’s why it’s critical that injured people receive full compensation—not just for hospital bills, but for future medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg, we fight for every dollar our clients need to rebuild and move forward.
Helping Victims of Broadside Collisions in Pennsylvania Since 1922
At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg, we fight for plaintiffs who have been seriously injured in all types of car accidents. We're here for you if you've been injured or have lost someone you love, and we have the experience and resources to seek the type of settlement or award that can help you start to rebuild. We've fought for Pennsylvania's injured since 1922.
Call (888) 498-3023 today or contact us online for a free, private review of your case.