The Most Common Types Of Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common sources of injuries and fatalities in America. No matter how careful, there are inevitable situations where drivers may not have control over the wheel. However, there are certain ways to take caution and minimize the risk of getting into an accident. In this article we are going to discuss the various most common types of car accidents, and possible ways to avoid them. 

Single Vehicle Accidents

Single vehicle accidents involve only one car, and most often occur when a driver loses control, hits another car or stationary object or skids on ice. There are many distractions that could cause a single vehicle accident. According to NSC injury facts, single-vehicle crashes accounted for a greater amount of fatalities compared to less serious crashes. “These three crash types made up 55% of fatalities and 56% of fatal crashes, but only 25% or less of injuries, injury crashes, or all crashes.”

Rear-End Collisions 

Rear-end collisions happen when one car collides into the back of another vehicle. The most common cause of this accident is distracted driving. This can occur while the cars are in motion or parked. Typically, the car who hit the rear-end of the other holds liability for the accident. This type of collision can cause serious injury if the car is traveling at high speeds. One way to avoid this happening to you is to always remain at least one car length away for every ten miles per hour you are traveling. This will allow you enough space to brake at any sudden stops. 

Head-On Collisions 

This type of car accident occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide into each other. At high speeds, these are often the most deadly type of car accident. It is hard to prepare for this type of crash because usually it happens when you least expect it. However, focusing on the road and avoiding distractions will always help drivers stay alert. 

T-Bone Accidents

The name “t-bone” comes from the angle one car hits the other in a perpendicular direction creating the letter T. The most common cause of this accident is usually because a driver runs either a red light or a stop sign. Remember to always double check and be cautious when you are driving. If a passenger or driver is sitting in the area the car is impacted the consequences could be deadly.  

How To Prevent And What To Do After

We have discussed a few ways to prevent these types of accidents of occurring. However, the main points to remember is to avoid distractions if you are driving and to never drive while intoxicated. According to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, “In 2019, distracted driving led to 3,142 fatalities, an estimated 424,000 injuries, and 15% of all police-reported vehicle traffic crashes on US roads.”

If you unfortunately find yourself in one of these situations, know you have options. Immediately after your crash, call the police and report it. Once you know your health is okay, file a claim with your insurance. Finally, to receive the compensation you deserve, hire a trusted car accident lawyer that can help recover any damages and medical expenses. To discover more car accident statistics and types of damages one can recover, click here.