Do You Know the Seven Common Types of Car Accidents?

Each time a driver hits the road, there is some amount of risk involved, and serious car accidents can cause severe physical harm and financial losses. However, knowing the most frequent types of collisions may prepare a driver to recognize and avoid these potential dangers on the roadway.

Rear-End & Head-On Collisions

Rear-end collisions are incredibly frequent, usually occurring with some form of distracted driving or with a driver following too closely behind you. These collisions can cause injuries even at slower speeds such as whiplash or head trauma. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 29% of crashes that result in serious injuries happen from rear-end collisions.

As for head-on collisions, they are frequently involve a driver going the wrong way down the road or crossing dangerously into oncoming traffic. With both vehicles involved usually going at high speeds, the collision can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.

Side-Impact & Sideswipe Collisions

Often, side-impact accidents occur at intersections where drivers run red lights or stop signs. Also known as “T-bone” accidents, these violent strikes to the side of the car often end with serious injuries due to less protection on the sides of vehicles.

Another side-based collision is sideswipes, where a vehicle scrapes across the side of another vehicle. These occur often when a driver is merging lanes or turning. These collisions may be minor at times, but can lead to serious losses of control – especially for motorcycle riders and smaller cars.

Pile-Up & Rollover Accidents

Pile-up accidents typically involve three or more vehicles, usually in heavy traffic or in inclement weather. A single rear-end can result in a chain reaction of multiple cars hitting each other, making these collisions complicated to deal with when determining fault.

Another common risk is a rollover, normally occurring in taller vehicles such as pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. Rollovers happen as a result of taking turns too sharply, overcorrecting the wheel, or poor road conditions usually. These accidents can be dangerous, as being ejected from the vehicle or getting seriously injured is more likely.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Typically single-vehicle accidents are incidents where one vehicle hits a stationary object. Driver error is a common cause, however inclement weather, road debris, and even swerving on the road may contribute to these accidents. It is important to note that while these accidents are only one vehicle, they can still result in a liability claim against a property owner, government entity, car manufacturer, or other party.

Speak With An Attorney About a Claim, Regardless of Which Type of Accident You Experienced

Being involved in a crash is stressful, but dealing with the aftermath associated with the crash may be overwhelming. Should you or a loved one find yourselves injured in a car accident, seeking out the professional guidance of a Personal Injury attorney may help ease the aftermath. Reach out to Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, to explore the counsel and options available to you in your case today!