Common Types of Car Accidents

Did you know that in 2021, 42,915 people died in the US because of car accidents?

Car accidents are very common in America. They are often due to distracted driving.

There are different types of car accidents, each with its causes. Some can seem pretty obvious, while others are less known.

Keep reading to learn all about the most common types of car accidents.

Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents are one of the most common types of car accidents. This is due to the increased number of vehicles passing through intersections daily. This type of accident typically occurs when two vehicles cross paths at the same time.

Intersection accidents usually happen because a driver fails to yield the right-of-way. Some are due to one driver not paying attention to their surroundings.

A faulty traffic signal or poor road surface may be to blame. It’s essential for drivers to always be aware of their surroundings.

Drivers must exercise caution when approaching intersections. This will help them prevent an accident from taking place.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Multi-vehicle pileups are one of the most dangerous types of car accidents. An accretion occurs when several vehicles become entangled in a chain reaction.

Such accidents often occur on highways and other busy roads where one vehicle may stop suddenly. This initiates a chain reaction with those behind it.

In such cases, many cars may pile up in mere seconds. Multi-vehicle pileups often cause catastrophic injuries due to the number of cars involved and may even result in fatalities.

It is also important to remember that those involved may be liable for damages. So it is better to have a lawyer to help you with the process.

Before getting legal services, make sure that they specialize in your type of case. For example, if the accident involved trucks, then getting the best truck accident lawyers is essential.

Rear-End Collisions

This type of crash occurs when the front of a vehicle crashes into the rear of another vehicle. Rear-end collisions often happen in stop-and-go traffic. This is when a car fails to stop in time.

It can occur when one vehicle isn’t paying attention to the other’s driving. Rear-end collisions are hazardous for the passengers of the car. They are at risk for whiplash and other neck and back injuries.

Passengers may also face lacerations from the seatbelts that wrap around them. To prevent these collisions, drivers must practice defensive driving. They must check their mirrors often and always follow the flow of traffic.

Side-Impact Accidents

Side-impact accidents are also known as T-bone collisions. This occurs when the front or rear of another hits the side of one car.

They typically take place at intersections. This occurs especially when one driver fails to yield the right of way. Contributing factors can include excessive speed and a negligent disregard for safety laws.

Side-impact collisions can cause more significant harm to occupants. This is due to the lack of protection from the vehicle’s structure.

Car accident injuries range from minor cuts to more serious ones, like traumatic brain injuries. Medical assistance should always be sought after for any type of car accident.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are one of the deadliest car accident types. This accounts for 10% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities. A head-on collision occurs when two cars traveling in opposite directions hit each other.

Head-on collisions are rare. Their risk increases on narrow roads and dark roads with limited visibility.

These crashes result in severe bodily damage. This is because of the excessive force between the two vehicles.

Drivers should stay in their travel lane to avoid this type of accident. They must constantly scan the road ahead. They should never attempt to pass a vehicle within their lane.

Drivers should use their lights in poor visibility to signal their presence on the road. Taking these precautions can help decrease the risk of a head-on collision.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle accidents involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, SUVs, buses, and other motor vehicles that collide with the same single object. Single-vehicle accidents usually occur due to driver error caused by excessive speed, distracted driving, drowsy driving, improper turns, or failing to yield the right of way.

Driving conditions like inclement weather, icy roads, and animal crossing can also contribute to single-vehicle accidents. Depending on the crash’s cause, vehicle occupants may suffer serious injuries or fatalities.

Vehicle occupants may also need to pay for damages to the vehicle, the environment, and the property damage or personal injury claims of others. To reduce or prevent motor vehicle accidents, drivers must always be aware of their surroundings and practice safe driving habits.

Rollovers

Rollovers occur when a vehicle tips over onto its side or upside down while traveling on a flat surface. Though rollovers are less common than other types of car accidents, they can result in catastrophic injuries or even death.

Common causes of rollovers generally involve factors like excessive speed, sudden turns, sharp turns, distractions, or vehicle design. In some cases, rollovers result from a multi-car accident where one of the cars rolls onto its side or upside down in the process.

Rollover accidents may also be caused by collisions with irregular surfaces on the road, such as when a vehicle’s wheels settle into an unexpected dip. Drivers must be aware of the potential for rollover accidents in certain conditions and drive accordingly to reduce the risk of an accident with severe consequences.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents are a severe type of car accident. These accidents involve one party fleeing the scene and leaving the other in the dark without recovering damages. It is illegal for someone to cause a car accident and then flee the scene without trying to exchange information or provide assistance.

Victims of hit-and-run accidents can seek compensation from their insurance companies. While this type of accident is rare compared to others, they require accurate legal expertise due to its complexity. Insurance companies must prove the other party was aware of the damage they had caused, making liability far more challenging to prove in this type of accident.

Be More Aware of the Different Types of Car Accidents

Common types of car accidents include rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and single-car accidents. It is essential to be aware of the potential dangers of driving, including the different types of car accidents. Be sure to drive safely and defensively to avoid any potential accidents, and have your car regularly inspected by a professional mechanic for maximum safety.

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