7 Types of Car Accidents Lawyers Handle by Vehicle Crash Type

Car Accident Injury Cases

At Lawsuit Legal, we regularly review thousands of motor vehicle accident claims from people who have been in a collision and are looking for help.

For minor collisions, you likely don't need a lawyer, when there are no injuries and only involves a simple vehicle damage claim with the insurance company.

However, serious auto accidents involving injury are a different matter altogether, and hiring an accident attorney is worth it.

There are several types of car accidents lawyers handle which regularly result in serious injury and details which can complicate a compensation claim.

We'll break down the most common types of auto accidents below that our experienced attorneys routinely encounter, and provide some expert insights into when it's a good idea to lawyer up.

 

Types of Car Accidents: Critical Information for Drivers

Determining the type of car accident you have been involved in is of immediate interest to your lawyer, because of common fact patterns associated with each classification. Different types of crashes result in common injuries and potential causes, and can present a starting point for the investigation and claim process.

While every time a vehicle crashes is unique, they tend to follow certain fact patterns. The following accident types typically represent the majority of cases our lawyers handle.

Head-On Collision

As the name suggestions, a head-on collision involves two vehicles heading in opposing directions hitting each other head-on. This can occur when one driver loses control and swerves into oncoming traffic, as a result of failing to stop at an intersection, or when a driver makes a reckless turn into traffic. Head-on collisions don't require excessive speed to be extremely serious because of the opposing forces of impact.

Sideswipe Collision

When one driver strikes the side of another vehicle it is known as a sideswipe collision. These accidents are seen most commonly occuring at interstate highway onramps when traffic attempts to merge, or because a driver attempts to change lanes without looking. These accidents can commonly result in additional vehicles being hit as the cars involved are knocked out of control. There is very little protection for the vehicle occupants when struck broadside making serious bodily injury a common occurrence.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

When one motorist strikes another it can lead to a chain of subsequent collision events as each driver is pushed into another. In extreme examples, a multiple vehicle pileup can potentially involve 20 or more vehicles. Inclement weather, tailgating, and reckless driving on highways are the most common contributing factors to cause the initial collision which results in the daisy chain pileup. You can expect chaos, confusion, multiple injuries, and potential fatalities when involved in multi-vehicle collisions.

Vehicle Rollover Accident

SUV's and commercial trucks are prone to flip onto their side when struck at the right angle. In a severe rollover crash the truck can roll multiple times, and land on its roof up-side-down or on the vehicle's side. As a result, occupants are typically tossed around within the cabin, even potentially being ejected from the vehicle if no seatbelt was worn. Vehicle rollover accidents commonly result in serious bodily injury with a high risk of fatality.

T-Bone Car Accident

A T-bone collision is when a driver hits the side of another vehicle head-on. The T-Bone accident can result in very serious injuries to the driver and any passengers in the hit vehicle because the crash impact is focused on the vulnerable sides of the car. This is a common type of intersection accident. Additionally, a T-bone accident can be completely unexpected by the victims. The force and sudden impact increases the risk for serious head injuries, traumatic brain injury, concussions, soft tissue damage, and broken bones, even with seatbelts. This is a common type of intersection accident. Reckless driving, the driver failing to stop at the intersection or stop sign, or misjudged distances when making a turn are generally to blame. In most cases the car without the right of way is usually considered at fault in a t-bone accident.

Rear-End Accidents

When a driver is hit from behind, this is known as a rear-end accident. A rear-end collision can be caused by a range of contributory factors such as distracted driving, tailgating, reckless speeds, and even brake failure. A sudden stop by the victim can cause them to be rear-ended, as well, if the rear vehicle failed to keep a safe distance. The unexpected nature of this type of collision leaves a victims body unprepared for impact. This leads to victims regularly suffering whiplash, neck and back pain after an accident. Impact with the dashboard can lead to knee injuries known as "dashboard knee".

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When the at-fault driver flees the scene of a crash it can limit the compensation options for victims if they aren't identified. The victims in these cases typically have severe injury profiles. Pedestrians and bicycle riders are common victims of hit-and-runs accounting for a number of the fatalities handled. Great hit-and-run accident attorneys can help victims uncover available compensation options if the motorist is never found and hold them accountable when they are identified.

Single Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle car crashes involve only one vehicle and are often caused by factors like speeding, poor weather conditions, distracted driving, or hazardous road designs. These crashes can result in severe injuries, especially when a car collides with a fixed object like a tree, guardrail, or pole. While they may seem straightforward, these accidents can present complex legal issues, especially if road conditions, vehicle defects, or other third-party factors contributed to the crash. Victims of single-vehicle accidents may still have grounds for a personal injury claim.

Blind Spot Accidents

Lane change collisions caused by drivers failing to check blind spots by turning their head to look. When drivers rely on their rear view and side mirrors and change lanes without checking their blindspots it can commonly result in a collision. The driver initiating the lane change is responsible for ensuring it is safe before doing so. This type of collision is most common with commercial trucks that have much larger blind spots, and when they collide with smaller cars it can be devastating. Collisions can result in vehicles spinning out of control and hitting other cars along with significant potential for injuries.

Each case is unique, but generally, lawyers will take on plaintiffs cases when they have been injured or suffered significant property damage and the accident wasn't their fault.

These accidents usually have a negligent driver found to be at-fault for the crash, and the risk for serious injury is high. There are different types of car crashes which may not neatly fit into any of these categories, for example a run-off-road crash or something else not mentioned. That's ok. Take advantage of the free legal consultation with an injury attorney to find out if you have a case.

 

 

Highway, Intersection, and Road Accidents: Common Causes

Some of the most common causes of accidents of any type include distracted driving, reckless driving, reckless speeds, and driving under the influence DUI/DWI. The vast majority of wrecks can be attributed to driver negligence. If you've been in a serious motor vehicle accident, seek legal help immediately. When considering the vast number of scenarios which can lead to a car wreck, it underlays the importance of focusing on safe driving and wearing seatbelts.

Some of the most common accident causes worth mentioning include:

Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs cause accidents. Drivers whose judgement and reaction times are diminished by drugs and/or alcohol regularly lose control of the vehicle, hit other motorists, and take dangerous actions. Drunk drivers drive the wrong way on roads, fail to stop at intersections, and swerve into oncoming traffic and other lanes striking nearby vehicles.

Intersections

Running red lights and failing to stop at intersections is a leading cause of serious wrecks. Any intersection poses serious safety risks when vehicles cross paths. When a driver runs a stop sign, doesn't stop at a red light (often at reckless speeds), the potential for a serious collision is high. Misjudging distance and bad judgement when making turns at an intersection ahead of oncoming traffic commonly results in wrecks.

Railroad Crossing Accidents

Sudden stops at railroad crossings regularly leads to commercial vehicles hitting the vehicle in front from behind. Any vehicle not driving at a safe distance behind the car in front is susceptible, but commercial trucks especially so because of the additional mass and need for distance to stop safely. At a railroad crossing, if you are rear-ended it can push your vehicle onto the tracks and result in a catastrophic collision with the train.

Passing & Lane Changes

Fast speeds and lane changes are dangerous moments for motorists. Passing drivers often employ reckless speed to get past the car in front and fail to see vehicles in the oncoming lane. Even when visibility of the oncoming car is clear, judging safe distances when a cars are driving in an opposing direction is tricky and it's easy to underestimate the amound of time needed pass safely. Changing lanes without looking, or while distracted is a similar issue and dangerous if the driver isn't taking every precaution to ensure a safe lane change.

Common Vehicle Collision Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

When seeking legal compensation, the more significant the injuries sustained the more potential for financial recovery. The following are typical injuries which commonly sustained in the accident categories listed above:

• Whiplash: Generally sustained in rear-end collisions. It's an injury to the neck caused by an abrupt jerking motion and whipping movement of the head after a sudden impact.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: More common in head-on collisions and rollovers. This refers to brain damage caused by an impact to the head.
• Dashboard Knee Injuries: A knee injury sustained upon the legs impact with the dashboard in a crash. Getting hit from behind and head-on can result in the knees hitting the dashboard with wrenching force.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Most commonly seen in rollover and high-speed accidents. These spine injuries can lead to paralysis and several other neurologic impairments.
• Broken Bones: Common in almost all types of vehicle accidents, but especially in side-impact (T-bone) accidents. This includes fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and more. Often accompanied by lung punctures and/or internal injuries.
• Internal Injuries: Generally caused by high-speed collisions or when the victim is not wearing a seatbelt. This can affect organs such as the lungs, kidneys, spleen, liver, heart, etc.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Common in both minor and more severe accidents. This includes damages to muscles, ligaments, soft tissues, and tendons.
• Amputation & Limb Loss: Hands striking the windshield or windows regularly result in finger loss. Drivers limbs that collide with the frame of the vehicle or that are pinched in rollovers or head-on wrecks can lead to losing arms and legs, either at the scene or in treatment when amputation is required to remove the damaged limb.
• Psychological Injuries: Commonly encountered after any severe collision. This can include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders.
• Burn Injuries: Cars that catch fire after a wreck, can result in serious burn injuries. Car collisions that result in explosion or vehicle component failures.
• Lacerations and Cuts: It is normal for all types of collisions to result in cuts and bruises from impact and caused by flying glass and debris.
• Facial Disfigurement: Seen most commonly in rollovers and accidents where airbags fail to deploy, most common when the face strikes the windshield, steering wheel, or other parts of the car.

Seeking a fair and full valuation of your legal claim will require assessing the full extent of the injuries you sustained. All economic and non-economic damages that meet the legal standard in your state should be accounted for in a fair settlement.

After a Car Crash: Possible Damages

After a collision, the the full scope of losses suffered can be substantial. Motor vehicle collisions can lead to diverse injuries that deeply impact the victim's life. Ranging from minor bruises to severe trauma and potentially death. Experienced legal help from an auto accident lawyer will ensure you pursue the full compensation you may be entitled.

Common damages in a auto accident legal claim can include medical expenses, car repair or replacement costs, lost wages during recovery time and any future income losses resulting from injuries sustained. Additionally, where tort law allows the potential for recovery for emotional distress, pain and suffering.

Every case is unique, victims of car and truck accidents should speak with our personal injury lawyers to learn what they are legally entitled.

We're here to help, reach out for a consultation today.