Top Types of Car Accidents and How to Handle Them

Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle comes with inherent risks. With over 173 billion miles of road traveled by U.S. motorists in the first half of 2021 alone, it’s no wonder that car accidents happen as frequently as they do. Slowing down and using safe driving techniques doesn’t always work. There are countless situations and reasons for which a car accident can happen. The types of car accidents are all classified by insurance companies, injury lawyers, and police reports.

In this article, we’ll explore a few of the top types of car accidents and what you can do if you find yourself in one.

Vehicle Rollover

Let’s start with one of the most common accident types: vehicle rollovers. Vehicle rollover accidents are more common in vehicles that are taller or narrower, such as SUVs or pickup trucks. Their top-heavy center of gravity makes them more susceptible to a rollover, but any vehicle can experience a rollover. Some causes include:

• Rapid direction change
• Excessive use of speed
• Contact with a curb or roadside shoulder
• Collision with another vehicle
• Brake defects
• Improperly loaded cargo

There are steps you can take to avoid a rollover vehicle crash such as slowing down your speed, avoiding driving while fatigued, and avoiding cellphone use while driving.

Rear-End Collision

Many auto insurance claims tend to come from rear-end collisions which are the most common type of car accident. Typically, rear-end crashes are entirely avoidable by following a few tips:

• Driving a safe distance behind the car in front of you
• Driving with your eyes set on the road and cars ahead of you
• Avoiding driving when tired and never drive while under the influence
• Be vigilant about driving carefully in inclement weather

Rear-end collisions can cause sustainable damage to each vehicle, as well as cause moderate to severe injury to both drivers and passengers.

Multiple Vehicle

Any type of car accident that includes more than 2 vehicles is considered a multiple-vehicle crash. We’ve all been on a highway road impacted by a vehicle pileup. This particular type of car accident is common on highways where you have hundreds of vehicles traveling at high speeds.

Multiple vehicle pileups tend to happen as a result of a rear-end collision which causes a chain reaction. These types of accidents will generally require further lengths of investigation in the case of missing video evidence in order to determine responsibility.

Staying alert, being situationally aware, and keeping a proper distance from others on the road can help avoid getting stuck in a multi-vehicle crash.

Side-Impact Collision

Side impact collisions are more commonly known as T-bone car crashes. These types of accidents occur when any vehicle sideswipes another as the result of making an incorrect turn or passing through an intersection. Additional side-impact crashes can include vehicles making contact with stationary objects such as telephone poles or fire hydrants.

When drivers drift too close to a lane divider, side-impact collisions occur. This can be avoided by remembering to stay out of the blind spots of drivers on any surface street or highway.

Defensive driving can help avoid a side-impact car wreck by looking for aggressive drivers and approaching cautiously at intersections or on fast highway roads.

Parking Lot Car Accidents

Even with the advent of backup camera installation in most vehicles, parking lot collisions still happen. While these types of collisions aren’t necessarily as serious, damage to vehicles can be extensive.

When it comes to finding who is at fault for a parking lot accident, insurance companies will generally take a look at a variety of factors such as:

• Video surveillance
• Eyewitness testimony
• Location of vehicle damage
• Parking lot signage and rules for right-of-way

To avoid these types of accidents, it’s a good rule of thumb to always keep a safe distance from other vehicles when entering and exiting a crowded lot. You can also avoid damage to your parked vehicle by parking far away from heavily trafficked spots, parking well within the lines of the parking space, and assessing your surroundings carefully before pulling out from your space.

Less Common Types of Car Accidents

A few of the less common, but still noteworthy types of car accidents that may occur include:

• Head-on collisions
• Break-in vehicle theft
• Pedestrian accidents
• Hit and run
• Railroad crossings
• Bicycle or motorcycle collision

Risky driving behaviors contribute to each and every one of these. Regardless of where the negligence stems from, each accident type brings its own level of severity. So, what do you do when an accident happens to you?

Need Assistance After a Car Accident?

If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate position of being in a car accident, there are general steps you can follow to handle the situation at hand. If you find yourself involved in an accident, it’s important to call 9-1-1. After safety and well-being have been determined, information should be exchanged between each party in order to get the claims process rolling.

However, documenting and notifying your insurance company as part of the claims process isn’t always straightforward. The passing of time and loss or lack of evidence can harm the outcome of a case. It’s a smart idea to enlist the help of a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident has occurred.

Seeking legal representation may not always be necessary. However, in the following cases, it can help:

• When significant injury or damage has occurred
• When the fault is difficult to establish
• When the accident happens in a construction zone or school zone
• When uninsured drivers are involved

Consult the Best Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are an unfortunately all too common occurrence. While it can be difficult to prevent the unexpected, there are steps you can take each time you get in the car to help ensure your safety. When it comes to protecting yourself after an accident, hiring legal representation may be the safest course of action.

If you’ve recently found yourself involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.