Personal Injury Home Car Accidents T-Bone Accident

Colorado Springs T-Bone Accident Lawyer

Written by Timothy R. Bussey · Reviewed by Benjamin Wilcox · Last updated 27 September 2026

Key Takeaways

Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
Who is liable: Whoever failed to yield the right of way, which is a question of signal phase and entry timing rather than of who hit whom.
If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

What is a T-bone accident?

A side-impact collision — the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a T.

They happen almost entirely at intersections and they injure people disproportionately, because a door and a window are all that separate an occupant from the striking vehicle. There is no crumple zone on the side of a car.

Who is at fault in a T-bone accident?

Whoever failed to yield the right of way, which is a question of signal phase and entry timing rather than of who hit whom.

The evidence that settles it: the traffic-signal timing chart for that intersection, the point of impact on each vehicle, the resting positions, and — increasingly decisive — the event-data recorders, which record throttle, braking and speed in the seconds before impact. Both drivers routinely say the light was green, so the physical record is what decides it.

Fighting for Victims of T-Bone Accidents in Colorado Springs

Someone running a red light, driving while distracted, or speeding through an intersection can cause a devastating T-bone collision. These crashes occur when one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. There is no excuse for causing such a catastrophic collision, and the victims should not be left to pick up the pieces of their lives on their own after a run-in with a negligent driver.

If you were in a T-bone accident that was not your fault, then you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we have decades of experience investigating car and motorcycle accidents and advocating for our clients. We can sit down with you in a free consultation, learn how your injuries have impacted your life, and fight to get you compensation from the driver who injured you. Call us today at (719) 475-2555 to work with a knowledgeable Colorado Springs T-bone accident lawyer.

Colorado T-Bone Accident Case Results

2.6 Million Dollars - Commercial Truck Accident/T-Boned by a Tractor Trailer
$125,000 - T-Bone Accident
$100,000 - T-Bone Collision
$25,000 - T-Bone Car Accident

View more case results.

The Consequences of a Catastrophic Collision

T-bones are one of the most dangerous types of collisions a driver can be involved in. During a rear-end or head-on collision, the average passenger vehicle can absorb the force of the accident and distribute it throughout the car’s frame, limiting the damage to the vehicle’s occupants.

But with T-bone collisions, occupants have very little protection. A car’s door can easily collapse and crush a person’s body, causing broken bones, crush injuries, and even amputations. Airbags are designed to deploy when the front of the vehicle is hit, not during side and rear collisions. While some modern vehicles now have side-impact airbags, they are not universal, and occupants can still suffer catastrophic injuries.

A reckless driver can cause his victims:

How Do T-Bone Collisions Occur in Colorado Springs?

Almost every crash is preventable -- if drivers pay attention and follow the rules of the road. Negligent human behavior, from speeding to running red lights to making reckless turns, is the biggest cause of T-bones. They can be especially dangerous if they involve larger vehicles like semi-trucks, SUVs, vans, or buses, which present the risk of fatally injuring a vehicle occupant. In fact, side impacts accounted for 22% of U.S. passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2024 (5,047 of 22,713, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, posted June 2026). A driver who T-boned another should be held accountable for all the damage he caused, and victims and their families should receive compensation for their injuries.

In our experience as Colorado Springs car accident attorneys, we’ve seen T-bone collisions in El Paso County as a result of people:

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving distracted, whether texting while driving or just talking on the phone
Driving drowsy and falling asleep at the wheel
Running red lights or stop signs at intersections
Driving aggressively
Speeding
Making reckless left-hand turns

If another driver injured you in a T-bone accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation in a personal injury claim. You should only trust your case to an experienced personal injury attorney who will fight tooth and nail to investigate your accident and hold the at-fault driver’s insurance company to its policies.

How is fault proved in a T-bone crash in Colorado?

By showing who failed to yield under the rule for that intersection, using the vehicles’ event data, the damage and the signal timing. If both drivers share fault, Colorado reduces your damages by your share and bars recovery at 50% or more.

Proving fault in a Colorado side-impact crash. Source: C.R.S. 42-4-604, 42-4-702, 42-4-703, C.R.S. 13-21-111, 13-21-111.5 (Colorado Revised Statutes, 2024 official publication); 49 C.F.R. 563.7 (eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026). The $100,000 figures are illustrative.
Situation	Colorado rule	C.R.S.
Deciding who had the right of way	The signal, stop-sign, yield-sign and left-turn rules for that intersection	42-4-604, 42-4-702, 42-4-703
The other driver passed a yield sign without stopping	The collision is prima facie evidence that they failed to yield	42-4-703(4)
Event data recorder (“black box”)	If the vehicle has one, federal rules require it to record speed, accelerator and brake use for the 5 seconds before a crash; a 20-second window phases in for vehicles built from September 1, 2028	49 C.F.R. 563.7
You were partly at fault	Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault; if your share equals or exceeds the other driver’s, you recover nothing	13-21-111(1), (3)
Illustration on $100,000 of damages	20% your fault: $80,000. 50% your fault: $0	13-21-111(3)
More than one driver at fault	Each defendant pays only its own percentage of fault, subject to the statute’s exception	13-21-111.5(1)

Our intersection accident page sets out each right-of-way rule.

These rules sit alongside the rest of a car crash claim; our car accident page covers insurance, deadlines and damages.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Claim?

Your first question after being injured in a T-bone accident might be “How am I going to get the medical bills paid?” A car accident can set you back for months with multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, prescription medication, and physical therapy. Throughout this time, you likely will be unable to work and may struggle to make rent and put food on the table, all the while dealing with the physical and emotional toll of your injuries.

You should not have to pay for these costs if someone else caused your trauma. A negligent driver’s insurance company is responsible for compensating you for all the damages you suffered in a T-bone collision. In the state of Colorado, you can file a personal injury claim against a negligent driver’s insurance to recover:

All medical bills, including past and future expenses, treatments, and procedures
Lost wages if you have to take time off work to recover
Lost earning capacity if you had to change careers or jobs due to your injuries
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurements
Loss of enjoyment of life

Discuss Your Colorado T-Bone Accident Case in a Free Consultation

After a devastating T-bone accident with a negligent driver, you deserve full compensation for your trauma. Unfortunately, many accident victims have to contend with dismissive insurance companies after a collision, that push low settlement offers that barely cover their emergency room bills. To get the money you need to heal and recover comfortably, you need to work with a dedicated Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer.

Our team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., knows how to deal with dismissive insurance companies and get our clients the highest possible award after a collision. We can handle every aspect of your case, from collecting evidence to negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Instead of taking on a big insurance company alone, let our Colorado Springs attorneys stand up for you while you focus on healing. Call Timothy R. Bussey today at (719) 475-2555 to get a free case evaluation of your T-bone accident.

Frequently Asked Questions for T-Bone Accident Injuries in Colorado Springs

If you’ve been involved in a T-Bone accident in Colorado Springs, you likely have many questions about your rights, the legal process, and what to do next. Here, we provide answers to some frequently asked questions to help you gain a better understanding of your situation. Remember, The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. is here to assist you with any additional queries or concerns you may have.

What should I do immediately after a T-Bone accident?

After a T-Bone accident, the first priority is your safety. Ensure that you and others involved in the accident receive medical attention if needed. If possible, collect evidence, such as photographs, contact information for witnesses, and the other driver’s details. It’s essential to report the accident to the authorities and your insurance company.

How do I determine who is at fault in a T-Bone accident?

The determination of fault in a T-Bone accident can be complex and often requires the know-how of law enforcement and insurance adjusters. Avoid admitting fault at the scene. An experienced attorney can help you assess liability based on evidence and relevant laws.

Should I speak to the other driver's insurance company?

It’s advisable to consult with an attorney before speaking with the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize your claim. Your attorney can help protect your rights and ensure that you don’t say or do anything that could harm your case.

What types of compensation can I seek after a T-Bone accident?

You may be eligible for various types of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. An attorney can assess your specific situation to determine what you are entitled to.

What can The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. do for me?

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. focus on T-Bone accident cases in Colorado Springs. We can provide legal guidance, help you navigate the complexities of your case, and work diligently to secure full and fair compensation for your injuries. Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring that you receive the justice you deserve.

How long do I have to file this claim in Colorado?

Three years from the crash, because this is a tort action for bodily injury arising out of the use of a motor vehicle under C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n) — a year longer than Colorado's general tort deadline. If a city, county, district or state vehicle or roadway is involved, a far shorter clock governs first: written notice within 182 days under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), which that statute calls "a jurisdictional prerequisite" whose failure "shall forever bar any such action".

What does a T-bone collision claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. A T-bone collision review is free and the firm is paid a percentage of what it recovers rather than by the hour, so asking costs nothing. Call (719) 475-2555.

Where is a T-bone claim filed?

In the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 — the district court serving El Paso County. Most claims settle without a court appearance; if one does not, the lawsuit is filed there and must be filed before the deadline runs.

Why do intersection cameras matter so much here?

Because the whole case is who entered on what light. Traffic and business camera footage is overwritten within days, and a request sent early is usually the only way it survives.

How is fault proven when both drivers say they had a green?

Through signal phase and timing records, the physical damage angles, and event data from both vehicles. Reconstruction of a side impact is unusually reliable.

What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?

Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.

Colorado deadlines and rules that apply to this claim
A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle	3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)
Most other personal injury claims	2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102
If you were partly at fault	Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111
Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed	El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Sources and References

Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.