Every year, the US experiences an average of 6 million car accidents, where 3 million people are injured, and 2 million drivers suffer permanent injuries. With such figures, it’s safe to say that car accidents can happen anywhere, at any given time, in virtually almost any situation.
The thing is, there are many types of car accidents. The type of accident you’re involved in may impact the kind of injuries you sustain and how much your car accident claim will be worth. Different types of car crashes also lead to understanding who was at fault, so it’s essential to find out what kind of accident you were involved in.
To give you a better scope, we have compiled a short guide detailing all the different types of auto accidents you should know about. This will help you understand which one you were involved in. We’ll also look at the steps you need to take after a car accident.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are some of the most common types of car accidents. They occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another, hence the name rear-end. Some of the contributing factors to rear-end collisions include tailgating, panic stops, distracted driving, and driver inattention.
Distracted driving is one of the most common reasons for rear-end collision types of auto accidents. Rear-end collision accidents are so frequent that they account for 29% of all car crashes. Most of the time, the driver at the back is usually at fault, so to avoid them, you can make sure you turn on your blinkers in advance before turning.
You should also avoid slamming on their brakes unexpectedly and check your mirrors frequently. If you notice a driver following you too closely, you can always move over and allow them to pass if it’ll prevent an accident.
Single Vehicle Crashes
The next in most common types of car accidents are single-vehicle crashes. Some of the most common reasons for single-vehicle crashes include intoxicated drivers, distracted drivers, bad weather conditions, speeding, mechanical failures, drivers falling asleep, and running into objects. In these types of auto accidents, the driver is usually at fault.
However, there are certain instances where the driver may not be at fault, and others are held liable. For example, if the driver had to swerve off the road to avoid a head-on collision, or the car experienced failure due to defective auto parts such as faulty brakes. The driver may also not be at fault if the accident was caused by a dangerous roadway with inadequate signage or large potholes.
T-Bone Accidents
T-Bone accidents happen when the front of a car crashes into the side of another. These types of car accidents mostly occur at stop signs or traffic lights. The driver could fail to stop or to yield to the right-of-way to the other driver, hence crashing into them.
T-Bone accidents are also known as side-impact accidents, and they happen to be some of the most dangerous types of accidents because they cause severe bodily injuries. These types of accidents lead to a large number of fatalities every year in the United States.
Head-On Collision
Head-on collision accidents are arguably some of the most dangerous types of auto accidents because the increased force impacts both drivers. Most of the time, these accidents are fatal, or they result in severe injuries. Some of the most common causes include distracted driving, passing, drunk driving, and speeding.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents happen when two cars driving in the same direction contact each other. Most of the time, these car accident types take place when one of the drivers travels out of their lane and into the lane of the other.
Some of the reasons why a driver could drift into another lane are due to distracted driving or driving under the influence. Some drivers also fail to check blind spots when changing lanes. Sideswipe accidents also happen when drivers drive too close to cars parked on the road on the street.
Vehicle Rollover
These particular types of car accidents can be incredibly violent in nature and could be caused by various reasons, including environmental factors and driving direction. Sometimes, the type of vehicle could significantly impact the accident, but the most common factors include driving under the influence, adverse weather conditions, and speeding. Most vehicle rollovers are usually results of single-vehicle crashes.
What To Do After a Car Accident
The most critical part is to call 911 in case of serious injuries then keep away from oncoming traffic. Once everyone is safe and okay, then you can go ahead to collect all the necessary information for your car accident claim. Have a look at what to do if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You should seek prompt medical attention if you’ve been injured in a car accident. Sometimes, the symptoms of a car accident injury may take a few days or weeks before they become visible. In that case, you need to get yourself examined and treated by a doctor to avoid further medical complications.
Also, seeking immediate medical care can be important when filing a car accident claim against the other driver. You can submit copies of your medical records as proof that your injury resulted from a car collision caused by someone else’s negligence.
Contact the Police
Even if you have been involved in a minor accident, it’s essential to get a legal accident report. It will be necessary for you to start a claim with your insurance company, and it will serve as evidence if you need to file a lawsuit or make an injury claim. When the police arrive, write down the officer’s name, badge number, phone number, and report number.
Get Witness Contacts
If you find willing Witnesses who saw what happened, ask them to offer you their contact information. It’s important for you to have a neutral third party that will testify to what happened in case you file a lawsuit. This way, you can improve your odds of winning your case and get the fairly-deserved compensation.
Document the Accident
If your cell phone is still functional, it’s vital for you to take as many photos of the vehicles, accident scene, and injuries as possible. You can also speak into your video so you can document what happened or alternatively write down all the details while they’re still fresh in your mind.
Exchange Vital Information
The next most important thing you have to do is exchange vital information with the other drivers involved. Some of the information you should exchange include your full names, insurance companies, policy numbers, and phone numbers of your insurance companies. It’s no longer advisable to give too much personal information due to the prevalence of identity theft.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Regardless of whether you think you made a driving mistake, it’s important that you avoid admitting it. Doing so may affect your ability to get compensated for the injuries you sustained. For example, if the police officer at the accident scene asks you some questions, be truthful by providing them with objective details of the car accident. Don’t make any false statements to the police officer. Instead, tell the story of what happened from your perspective using as few words as possible.
On the other hand, you should also avoid taking compensation from the other driver or promise not to involve your insurance company. This is because you have no idea the extent of the damages or injuries involved. It’s vital that you avoid signing any documents unless it’s with your own insurance company or for the police.
Hence, if you’re an accident victim in Provo, UT, or wherever you may be, you should refrain from saying these that may incriminate you. Instead, hire a reliable personal injury lawyer to protect your rights by acting on your behalf when communicating and negotiating with the other party and the insurance company. This way, you can avoid admitting fault that can hurt your injury claim.
Different Types of Car Accidents: Everything You Needed to Know
These are the different types of car accidents. Now it’s easier for you to tell what kind you were involved in and who was possibly at fault. You also know what to do in case you are involved in a car accident.
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My name is Tom William a expert content creator and SEO expert having Proven record of excellent writing demonstrated in a professional portfolio Impeccable grasp of the English language, including press releases and current trends in slang and details.
