The United States is ranked first in the world in fatalities linked to car crashes. Statistics show that for every 10,000 registered vehicles, 100,000 people die as a result of accidents. Safety, therefore, has become a key consideration for auto manufacturers and authorities alike. As a motorist, it is wise to be aware of common types of accidents with the risk of occurrence as a step in safeguarding you and your passengers, as well as other road users.
Head-On Collisions
Car crashes in this category usually result in fatalities. A head-on collision occurs when the front of two cars collide. These accidents deploy airbags if they are available in the vehicle. This is the first safety measure as a result of the force generated by the impact. However, air bags do not guarantee that the occupant will not suffer injury. Indeed, sometimes it’s the airbag itself that causes an injury.
Rear-End Collisions
These types of car accidents happen when a car smashes into the car in front of them. It may occur when there is a sudden deceleration by the car ahead or an acceleration from the car behind. The average number of fatalities from rear-end collisions are lower than head-on crashes, but the vehicle damage is often substantial. As a general rule, the person who hit the vehicle in front of them is the one held liable. To avoid this type of accident, it’s important to maintain a safe braking distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
Side-Impact Accidents
The effect of this kind of crash can be fatal or mild depending on the circumstances of the impact. It can be caused by smashing into an object or hitting oncoming traffic from the side. More fatal accidents are those that occur at traffic intersections. When one driver runs a red light on in a junction, there is the risk of hitting another vehicle from the side or getting hit from the side. Such accidents are commonly referred to as cross-traffic or t-bone accidents.
If you have been involved in a car accident and suffered a serious injury as a result, it is prudent to consult with a car accident lawyer Memphis TN relies on.
Single Vehicle Crashes
As the name suggests, one vehicle is involved in these scenarios. A driver may smash into a stationary object, run or skid off the road and spin out of control. It can also happen due to overcorrecting in a skid or from braking too hard.
Low-Speed Accidents
These crashes are usually minor due to the low-speed nature of the vehicles involved. In most cases the impact on the victims, objects, or other vehicles is mild. Most occur in slow moving traffic, parking lots, or residential areas. The greater portion of victims from these accidents are pedestrians or cyclists.
Vehicle Rollovers
Driving at high speed and turning sharply often leads to a rollover accident. The vehicle loses its stability which causes it to roll and come to rest on its roof or side. Because of their high center of gravity, Sports Utility Vehicles are especially vulnerable to rollover accidents.
Multi-Vehicle Collisions
It is also referred to as multiple-vehicle pile up. They commonly occur on freeways or highways. These are the deadliest kind of accidents on our roads. Injuries to drivers and occupants vary drastically, from fatal to minor to non-existent.
If you would like to discuss your personal injury case, contact an attorney who is experienced in the area of car accidents and injuries.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Patterson Bray for their insight into car accident cases.
