Safety Tips for Avoiding T-Bone Truck Accidents at Intersections

Intersections are among the most dangerous places on Texas roads. With cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians crossing paths, it only takes one mistake for a serious accident to occur. One of the most devastating types of crashes is the T-bone accident, especially when it involves a large truck.

Because of their size and weight, trucks can cause catastrophic injuries when striking the side of a smaller vehicle. Victims often suffer spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or even fatalities.
At McCraw Law Group, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation T-bone truck accidents cause families across Texas. While you can’t control other drivers, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. This article will share essential safety tips for avoiding T-bone truck accidents at intersections and what to do if you or a loved one has been injured.

Why T-Bone Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. The sides of passenger cars provide less protection than the front or rear, leaving drivers and passengers vulnerable.
When the striking vehicle is an 80,000-pound truck, the consequences can be catastrophic. These crashes are common at intersections due to:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Distracted or fatigued driving
• Misjudging speed or distance
• Brake failures or equipment issues
• Safety Tips for Avoiding T-Bone Truck Accidents

While not every accident can be prevented, following these safety practices can reduce your risk:

• Approach Intersections with Caution: Always assume other drivers may make mistakes. Slow down as you approach intersections, even when you have the right-of-way.
• Wait Before Entering on Green: When the light turns green, pause a second or two before proceeding. Look both ways to ensure cross-traffic is stopping—this is particularly important when large trucks are approaching.
• Avoid Distracted Driving: Phones, GPS devices, food, or even passengers can divert your attention. Staying alert at intersections gives you more time to react to potential dangers.
• Don’t Assume Trucks Can Stop Quickly: Large trucks require much more distance to stop than cars. If a truck is approaching an intersection at high speed, don’t assume it can stop in time. Wait until it has fully slowed or stopped before proceeding.
• Use Defensive Driving Techniques: Stay aware of blind spots, keep a safe distance from trucks, and anticipate possible errors from truck drivers. Defensive driving saves lives.
• Pay Attention to Weather and Road Conditions: Rain, fog, and icy conditions make intersections more dangerous. Trucks already struggle with braking distances; slippery roads increase that risk. Adjust your driving accordingly.
• Avoid Sudden Lane Changes or Turns: Cutting in front of a truck or making abrupt moves can lead to disaster if the truck driver doesn’t have time to react.

What to Do If a Truck Runs a Red Light

Even the safest drivers can be caught off guard by a negligent truck driver. If you see a truck barreling toward an intersection:

• Stay put if you haven’t yet entered the intersection.
• Brake firmly but smoothly if you’re already entering.
• Avoid swerving blindly into another lane, which may cause secondary crashes.
• Being cautious and defensive in these situations may prevent a deadly collision.
• Common Injuries in T-Bone Truck Accidents

When prevention fails, the results can be devastating. At McCraw Law Group, we’ve represented clients with life-altering injuries from T-bone truck crashes, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and internal injuries
• Severe lacerations and burns
• Wrongful death cases

These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and financial resources that insurance companies may try to minimize.

Why Legal Help Matters After a T-Bone Truck Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured, dealing with the at-fault driver’s trucking company and their insurance carrier is overwhelming. These companies have teams of lawyers working to reduce payouts.

A truck accident lawyer can:

• Investigate the crash and gather evidence (black box data, driver logs, maintenance records).
• Prove negligence by the truck driver or the trucking company.
• Calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Take the case to trial if the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation.

At McCraw Law Group, our founding attorney is board-certified in personal injury trial law. We have the skills and resources to challenge trucking companies and fight for justice.

Fight Back with McCraw Law Group

Intersections are dangerous places, especially when large trucks are involved. While following safety tips like slowing down, staying alert, and practicing defensive driving can reduce your risk, you can’t control the actions of negligent truck drivers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a T-bone truck accident at an intersection, don’t face the trucking company alone. Contact McCraw Law Group today for a free consultation. We’ll fight for the justice, safety, and compensation you deserve.