Types of Car Accidents

All car accidents are traumatic for everyone involved in the crash. However, car accidents can occur in different scenarios. Each type of car accident has a different kind of an impact on those involved. The extent of injuries and property damage usually depends on how and where the vehicle is hit. Car accidents may be broadly categorized into the following:

Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end or “rear-impact” collision can be anything from a minor fender-bender to an accident that results in the total loss of all vehicles involved. Such collisions occur when one vehicle hits another vehicle in front of it from behind. In most of these cases, the driver who rear-ends will be found at fault because he or she may be determined to have been speeding, distracted or inattentive for failing to stop the vehicle in time. Rear-end accidents can cause moderate to serious injuries from whiplash and neck injuries to back injuries and catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Broadside Crashes

These types of crashes are also known as side-angle collisions, side-impact collisions or T-bone collisions. Broadside crashes usually occur at street intersections and very often occur when one of the drivers runs a red light or fails to yield right-of-way to the other vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 30 percent of all car accidents in the United States are broadside crashes. Such accidents have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries or even death because most vehicles lack adequate side impact protection such as side-curtain airbags.

Head-on Collisions

A head-on crash occurs when one vehicle strikes the front of another vehicle. With cars, this often occurs when one vehicle crosses over to opposing lanes of traffic. This could happen as a result of drunk drivers or fatigued drivers. It can also occur when a vehicle is traveling on the wrong way. About 2 percent of collisions in the United States are head-on crashes, but they account for a number of fatalities because of the speed and intensity with which they occur.

Rollover Accidents

A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle overturns or flips over to the side. Vehicles such as SUVs or light trucks are more prone to rolling over because of their high center of gravity and narrow track width. The NHTSA estimates that about 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States involve rollover crashes. Defective vehicles or defective design of vehicles can also cause serious injuries or fatalities during rollover accidents.

Solo Accidents

The NHTSA estimates that about 16 percent of all accidents are single car or runoff accidents when a vehicle goes out of control and leaves the roadway. This can happen due to various reasons including driver error, speeding, vehicle defects, and the negligence of another driver or a dangerous roadway.

Whatever type of accident you have been involved in, please remember that if you have been seriously injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, medication, surgeries and rehabilitative treatments. Please contact the experienced Seattle car accident lawyers of The Bernard Law Group to get more information, and a free and comprehensive case evaluation.

IF YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON – CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!