Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end car accident occurs when a vehicle crashes into the back of another in front of it. Often, it’s caused by the failure to observe the 3-second rule, which states that the rear driver should be at least 3 seconds away from the front driver.
While the rear driver is generally assumed at fault, given the duty to leave sufficient distance and be alert, the front driver could also be at fault if they stopped or reversed suddenly without reason. Rear-end accidents are often severe accidents. They cause serious injuries like neck, bone, and spine injuries.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are the worst car accidents due to the magnified impact of the accident on the occupants. This type of accident occurs when two vehicles heading in opposite directions collide head-on, often caused by impaired, distracted, or reckless driving. It can also happen if a driver experiences a medical emergency like a seizure or a heart attack.
Poor weather can also cause head-on collisions. The invisibility caused by poor weather may cause the driver not to see oncoming traffic. Such accidents result in serious injuries, including spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Victims of a head-on collision are also at a higher risk of death.
Multi-Car Collisions
A multi-car collision is a car accident involving three or more vehicles. These accidents happen mainly on crowded highways or interstates. The effects of an accident involving multiple vehicles can be catastrophic, and determining fault is rarely an easy task. The injuries sustained in a multi-car collision could be mild or severe, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, and broken bones.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions are also called T-Bone accidents. They occur when one car hits the side of another, thus forming the T-shape. These accidents mainly happen at junctions when drivers fail to yield to the right of way or obey traffic signs. The resulting injuries are often more severe for the driver hit on the side. However, the risk of fatal injuries is higher for both vehicles when speeding is involved.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur when one vehicle hits the side of another. In these accidents, the vehicles are usually traveling in the same direction. A sideswipe accident occurs if a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot. Ideally, the drivers involved may sustain minor or no injuries. However, this happens if none of the drivers loses control. If one of them does, they may hit other drivers, pedestrians, or objects on the road.
A driver losing control in a sideswipe accident may lead to multi-vehicle accidents and a chain reaction. Victims of these accidents may suffer internal and external injuries.
Single-Car Collisions
Single-car collisions are also called single-vehicle crashes. These accidents involve only one car and often occur when a driver crashes into objects like cargo, trees, road signs, or animals crossing the road. Single-vehicle crashes may also occur if the driver is drunk or driving aggressively.
Inclement weather and distractive activities, such as changing music or operating a cell phone while driving, also contribute to these accidents. Injuries from these accidents range from minor to severe. The higher the driving speed during the accident, the more serious the injuries.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident is when one vehicle flips on its side and then rolls. These accidents mainly occur if a driver suddenly turns the steering wheel, often to avoid hitting an object on the road.
Other causes of rollover accidents are overspeeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving. They could also be caused by mechanical faults that could lead to the sudden stopping of some wheels. Therefore, watching for the mechanical failures that lead to car accidents before hitting the road is important. These accidents may be fatal, especially if the car catches fire due to spilled fuel.
