- October 29, 2020
And How They Happen
Anytime your vehicle collides with another car or object, you have experienced a car accident. Car accidents can be minor, like bumping into the side of your own parking garage, or extremely severe, like colliding head-on with another vehicle.
Most car accidents fall into certain categories, which we will outline below. Many are also caused by negligence, which means you may be able to recover compensation if you suffer damages.
Keep reading to learn more about different types of accidents and their causes.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
These types of car crashes involve only one vehicle. Sometimes, drivers lose focus or control and crash into a fixed object. Other times, car parts malfunction or road conditions are unsafe or unacceptable. Defective car parts (i.e. tires, brakes, airbags) may lead to product liability claims, and hazardous road conditions could lead to premises liability suits.
Fender Benders
Fender benders are accidents with no injuries and minor property damage. In many cases, drivers do not alert the police nor insurance companies about these types of crashes. Nevertheless, injuries can occur even at low speeds and may not emerge until later.
You should always file an accident report with both the authorities and your insurance company after a car accident, no matter how minor it seems. The same is true for seeking medical attention.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end crashes are the most common kind of car accident and occur when the front of one car collides with the rear of another. The rear-driver is almost always at fault in rear-end accidents, and these crashes are often caused by tailgating or driver inattention.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the front of another. These are some of the most dangerous accidents on the road, as the impact of the crash is doubled due to forward momentum. In 2017, head-on motor vehicle accidents accounted for 10% of fatal collisions.
Drunk driving is often responsible for head-on collisions, as drivers stray from their lanes and drive on the wrong side of the road. Aggressive driving and improper passing can also lead to head-on crashes.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact crashes happen when any part of a vehicle collides with the side of another. T-bone accidents (when the front of one car hits the side of another, thus forming a ‘T’ shape) are a good example of side-impact collisions, but sideswipes are also considered side-impact crashes.
These types of accidents often occur at intersections when drivers fail to yield or during unsafe lane changes when drivers forget to check their blind spots.
Rollovers
Rollovers account for 2% of motor vehicle accidents but 35% of passenger fatalities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):
“A crash is classified as a rollover if the vehicle tips onto its side or roof at any time during the crash.”
Most rollovers (72%) are associated with a pre-rollover impact, but some vehicles roll without impacting anything beforehand.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) associates rollovers with speed, alcohol use, and distraction. Some vehicles, such as SUVs, pickups, and vans, are also more likely to rollover. If a certain model of car has too high of a rollover risk, it may also be recalled – and you may be able to hold the manufacturer accountable for injuries and losses.
Takeaways
Any kind of car accident can lead to serious injuries, damages, and death. All too often, these crashes are caused by negligent behaviors like:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Improper turns
- Failing to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence
- Cell phone use (texting and driving)
- Distracted driving
- And more
In some situations, road hazards and defective vehicles or auto parts can also lead to a collision.
Whenever you are harmed by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages. If you’ve been hurt in a head-on collision, rollover, rear-end accident, side-impact collision, or even a fender bender or single-vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault, you can always call Goodman Acker P.C. to discuss your case.
We are available for you at (248) 286-8100 and online – call or click today for a free consultation.