Common Types and Causes of Car Accidents

Driving defensively is the best way to avoid getting into a car accident. Understanding the different types of car accidents and their causes will help you look out for potential accident risks and avoid an accident.

Six Most Common Types of Car Accidents

While every motor vehicle accident is unique, there are some common category types that accidents can be grouped into. “They vary in the mechanism of injury but are often T bones,” says Amy Bradley, a personal injury lawyer at Blankingship & Keith in Fairfax, Virginia, representing victims injured in auto accidents.

Understanding the common accident types and their causes will help you adjust your driving habits to reduce your risk.

1. Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end collision happens when one vehicle collides its front end into the rear end of the vehicle in front of it. This typically occurs when the rear motorist doesn’t leave enough pace between them and the vehicle in front of them. Tailgating reduces available reaction time, increasing the risk of an auto accident. Even when the rear driver leaves enough space, they may be distracted, resulting in them not stopping fast enough.

The rear driver is not always automatically at fault for a rear-end collision. The front driver could be liable if they unexpectedly slam on their brakes for no reason, creating a dangerous situation. They could also be liable if they put their vehicle in reverse and back up into the rear driver.

2. T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions

A side-impact accident occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another, creating a “T” shape. This type of collision is especially dangerous because passengers are at greater risk of injury.

Side-impact collisions happen when one driver fails to yield to another driver with the right of way. This typically happens at intersections with stop signs or traffic lights.

3. Head-On Collisions

Collisions where vehicles hit each other head-on are some of the most dangerous. This is because both vehicles have forward momentum that is directed at the other vehicle. This increases the damage and serious injuries. This type of accident can happen when someone is driving in the wrong lane or on the wrong side of the highway. This generally happens when someone is fatigued, speeding, under the influence, or driving recklessly.

4. Side-Impact Collisions

A sideswipe accident happens when two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide side to side. This typically occurs when one driver is changing lanes and fails to check their blind spots first. It can also happen when merging or when swerving through traffic.

5. Low-Speed Accidents

The often-overlooked accidents are the low-speed ones. They can still cause damage and injuries. Slow accidents typically happen in parking lots. There is a high volume of vehicles and pedestrians packed into a small space, increasing the risk of an accident. They can happen when backing out of a parking space or being distracted by pedestrians.

6. Single Vehicle Accidents

Many drivers do not realize that single-vehicle accidents are also common. They typically happen when a driver strikes an object in their path. Drivers commonly collide with animals on the road, light poles, guard rails, or community privacy walls. Another common single-vehicle accident is rollover accidents. This happens when the vehicle’s momentum is high when it collides with something. The vehicle’s weight gets shifted, throwing it off balance. This causes the vehicle to roll onto its side, top, or completely over in a 360-degree motion.

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Top Five Common Causes of Car Accidents

The most common reason for car crashes is human error. The driver error could be a failure to take action when they should have. It could also be taking an action when they shouldn’t have. Finally, it could be choosing the wrong action when one is required.

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has come to the forefront in recent years as people become more dependent on their smart devices, and vehicles now come standard with large infotainment screens. A driver could easily miss changing traffic signals because they are looking at their cell phone. Or they could drive through an obvious red light because they are responding to a text message.

“In most of our cases, the reason that the accident occurs is because of some kind of distraction to the driver, whether that be a cell phone, someone looking down at their dash, using the infotainment screen, or an MP3 player,” says Bradley.

2. High Speeds

Excessive speed has been a cause of accidents since vehicles were invented. It has become more of an issue as engines get more powerful, with faster acceleration and higher top speeds.

Posted speed limits are supposed to be followed to prevent accidents by increasing road safety. The faster you drive, the less reaction time you have. This often results in a driver not reacting quickly enough to avoid an accident. Excessive speed for road conditions can also reduce the handling and maneuverability of your vehicle. This can increase the risk of losing control.

High speed increases the force of impact, increasing the severity of the damages and injuries.

3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence can be called different things in each state. You might hear it called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or operating while intoxicated (OWI). They all refer to the same state of mind for the driver. You are impaired to the point of being unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. This could be drunk driving. It could also be driving while under the influence of an illegal substance or a prescribed medication.

You don’t have to be under the influence of something to have impaired driving. Studies have shown that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous. When your cognitive abilities are impaired, you are unable to make rapid decisions, extending your response time. Your ability to make accurate assessments also declines, increasing your risk of making reckless decisions.

4. Reckless Driving

Driving recklessly exhibits a wonton disregard for your and other drivers’ safety. While each state has its own definition of reckless driving, it typically involves driving dangerously. This could include excessively high rates of speed, ignoring posted road signage, willfully ignoring driving laws, and endangering others.

5. Weather Conditions

Inclement weather changes the road and driving conditions, requiring drivers to change how they operate their vehicles. Unfortunately, not everyone does this, resulting in more accidents. Rain, fog, snow, and ice create road conditions requiring speed reduction. These weather conditions reduce visibility and can cause your tires to lose traction. Slower speeds account for this.

When Do Most Car Accidents Happen?

Accidents are more likely to happen in certain driving conditions. Rush hour traffic, when there are more vehicles on the road, makes accidents more likely. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), most accidents happen between the hours of 4-8 p.m. They are also most likely to occur on Saturday nights, as this is when people are out drinking. Accidents are also more likely during summer nights. In addition, traffic accidents are more likely to happen in inclement weather.

Common Types of Car Accident Lawsuits

Car accident lawsuits happen when an injured individual seeks recovery from the at-fault party. This could be the driver, passenger, or someone else who suffered a loss due to the accident. Vehicle crashes can involve several parties, and liability is not always clear. This is why speaking with a lawyer is so important. If the

Property Damage Claims

The most common claim in a car accident lawsuit is property damage. The claim is for compensation for the damage or loss of personal property, such as the vehicle involved in the accident. However, it could also include damaged items in the vehicle or a structure that the vehicle collided with. Common compensation includes the repair or replacement value of the item.

Personal Injury Claims

The other most common type of claim is personal injury. These are claims that seek compensation for bodily injuries suffered in an auto accident. Claims could be for minor or severe injuries. Common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Whiplash
• Head injuries
• Burns

Damages can include compensation for medical expenses, emergency treatment, therapy, medical equipment, physical therapy, loss of employment, and future care. What you can make a claim for will depend on the state you are in, the degree of fault, and the injuries suffered.

Wrongful Death Claims

Sometimes, vehicle accidents result in fatalities. When this happens, the deceased individual’s estate or their family may pursue recovery. This is called a wrongful death claim.

Find an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Understanding the types of accidents and their causes can help you identify potential risks and hazards. Driving defensively is a good start to safer driving. However, you can’t control what other drivers do. Speaking with a car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights if you are in an accident. With a free case evaluation, you can decide on the best course of action for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages.

Visit the Super Lawyers directory to begin your search for a car accident attorney.