Car accidents are always shocking and frustrating. There are different types of car accidents that depend on the road, and the speed that the drivers were traveling.
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Types of Car Accidents How to Avoid Them
Here are some of the most common types of car accidents are listed.
1. Rear-End Collisions
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most common car accident is the rear-end collision, accounting for about 29 percent of all traffic accidents that result in serious injury. These types of accidents occur when one car impacts the rear bumper of the car in front of it. These crashes can dramatically range in severity from minor fender-benders that cause minimal damage to serious collisions that cause fatal injuries.
Rear-end accidents are usually caused by a negligent or careless driver who wasn’t paying attention to who or what’s in front of them. Most often, rear-end collisions are preventable and caused by reckless activity such as:
- Texting while driving
- Tailgating
- Reaching for something at a stoplight and accidentally losing grip on the brake
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
2. Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe collisions occur when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another, typically because the driver of the merging vehicle failed to check if there was enough space in the lane or failed to check their blind spot. Sideswipe accidents can also happen when a distracted or drunk driver weaves out of their lane. Road-raging drivers are some of the biggest culprits of sideswipe collisions as they erratically and illegally pass other drivers at high speeds fueled by their anger and disregard for other road users. Unfortunately, road ragers do not give other drivers time or space to properly maneuver around them.
These accidents can be minor at lower speeds, but when they occur at highway speeds, they can cause serious damage and injuries and cause a domino effect of hitting other vehicles.
3. Intersection Accidents
According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately half of all traffic injuries in the United States occur at intersections and account for roughly a quarter of traffic fatalities. Intersectional collisions or “T-Bone” collisions occur when the front of one car hits the side of another from a perpendicular angle, resulting in the cars creating a T shape. They usually occur when one driver runs a stop sign or red light and is hit by a car traveling perpendicular to them. The other common cause of intersection accidents is when a driver tries to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic.
These are some of the most dangerous types of car accidents because the passenger side or driver side of the vehicle is directly impacted. The top cause of these accidents is negligence or recklessness. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and speeding greatly increase the risk of a driver causing an intersection accident.
Talk To A Personal Injury Attorney Today
Regardless of what type of car accident you have been involved in, speaking to a car accident attorney in Visalia will help you get the compensation you deserve. A car accident attorney conducts an investigation to find out who the liable party is and fights their insurance company so that they pay your damages. Fortunately, your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney is free. Additionally, you do not pay a dime to your attorney unless they win the case for you. It’s completely risk-free to speak to a California car accident attorney to learn more about your rights and what types of compensation you are eligible to receive.
