T-Bone Accident in Illinois: Fault, Laws, and What to Do (2026)

# T-Bone Accident in Illinois: What You Need to Know

> **KEY FACTS:**
> – Fault depends on who had the **right of way**
> – Illinois’s **50% fault bar** — at 50% fault, you recover nothing
> – Report within **10 days** if $1,500+ damage
> – **Dram Shop Act** may apply if drunk driver involved
> – Statute of limitations: **2 years PI**, **5 years PD**

—

## Fault in Illinois T-Bone Collisions

Fault turns on right of way — red light runners, failure to yield, entering against the signal. Under the 50% bar (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), if both drivers share fault and you are at 50%+, you recover nothing.

### Dram Shop Angle
If the T-bone driver was drunk, Illinois’s Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) may allow an additional claim against the bar/restaurant that served them.

### Distracted Driving
If the at-fault driver was using a handheld phone at the intersection, this supports a higher fault allocation against them.

—

## What to Do

1. Check for injuries, call 911
2. Document the intersection — signals, cameras, witnesses
3. Report to IDOT within 10 days if $1,500+ damage
4. Contact your insurer
5. Seek immediate medical attention

—

## Common T-Bone Injuries

Head/brain injuries, broken ribs, spinal injuries, internal organ damage. T-bone injuries tend to be severe due to limited side-impact protection.

—

## Related Guides

– [What to Do After a Car Accident in Illinois](/illinois/car-accident-guide/)
– [Illinois Car Accident Laws](/illinois/car-accident-laws/)

—

**DISCLAIMER:** This website is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page provides general educational information only. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. This is not medical advice. If you have been injured, seek immediate medical attention. Last updated: March 2026.