Types of Car Accidents You May Be Involved In

August 12, 2014  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Car accidents happen in so many different situations and at such various angles that trying to quantify them all would be impossible. Roadway accidents can be caused by high rates of speed, traffic congestion, blind spots, poor conditions or carelessness.

Although a vehicle can be struck in an infinite number of ways, there are just a few car accidents that are incredibly common: rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions, head-on collisions, sideswipe collisions, and rollovers.

Describing Vehicular Accidents

Rear-end collision – These types of accidents happen when one vehicle strikes the back of the car that is in front of it. They often happen when the vehicle in front decelerates and the driver behind them doesn’t notice, or doesn’t decelerate in time. Unless the vehicle in back hits the other at a very high speed, injuries of rear-end collisions are generally pretty minor such as whiplash, minor neck pain, and minor back pain. In almost all cases, the driver of the vehicle that causes the rear-end accident will be found at fault.
Side-impact collision – Also known as a T-bone collision, side-impact collisions are caused when one vehicle hits their front into the side of another vehicle. These accidents generally happen in the middle of intersections when one vehicle is traveling perpendicular to another and one or the other doesn’t stop. Depending on which side of the vehicle was impacted and how many people where in the car, injuries for this accident are more likely to be severe. Occupants in a vehicle that was struck on the side will usually sustain worse injuries than that of one struck from the front or back because there is less of a protective barrier between them and the other car.

Do you know what notes to take to properly document the scene if you’ve been involved in a car accident?

Head-on collision – Happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another vehicle. These accidents often happen on two lane highways or roads without a median when one driver veers into oncoming traffic. Injuries from this type of accident can be extensive and even fatal because many head-on collisions occur at high speeds.
Sideswipe collision – This type of accident happens when two vehicles traveling in the same direction come into contact with each other side to side. If vehicles are traveling at low speeds, there usually isn’t much of an impact and rarely are there severe injuries. When these incidents happen at high speeds, loss of control for either vehicle can be an issue leading to devastating consequences for both drivers.
Rollovers – Generally rollover accidents only involve one vehicle, and are caused when a driver loses control of their vehicle, either by veering of the road or by making a sharp turn at high speeds. SUV’s are more at risk of rollover accidents because they are taller and have higher centers of gravity.
Get Help Now if You Have Been in a Car Accident
If you would like more information on these events or any other types of vehicle accidents, please contact BGS at your earliest convenience.