The Most Common Types of Car Accidents, Explained

Approximately 46,000 people die in road traffic accidents in the United States every year, with a further 4.4 million people sustaining injuries that require medical attention. Road traffic accident deaths in the US are significantly higher than in similar high-income counties and regions, such as Western Europe, Canada, and Japan.

In this blog post, we will highlight the most common types of car accidents that occur on US roads every day. These include side-impact collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and rollover accidents. Depending on the type of accident, injuries can range from minor to life-changing.

The leading cause of death among people aged between 1 and 54 years in the US is road crashes, highlighting how serious an issue they are within our society.

Side-Impact Collisions

Side-impact collisions occur frequently at intersections, often as a result of driver negligence. For example, a driver might be driving aggressively or while impaired, fatigued, or distracted. It involves one car colliding with the side of another, potentially resulting in property damage, injuries, and fatalities.

Some of the common injuries that occur as a result of side-impact collisions on the road include:

Spinal injuries
Whiplash
Broken bones
Blunt-force trauma
Traumatic brain injuries
Soft-tissue injuries

Let’s look at an example of this type of car accident. Imagine an intersection, where one motorist in a car starts to move as soon as their light changes from red to green. Another driver has a red light but fails to obey (for any of the above reasons) and travels through the intersection, colliding side-on with the other car.

Side-impact collisions are especially dangerous if the collision occurs on the driver’s side of the car, or if another occupant is seated in the passenger seat/back seat for a collision from the other side. As with all of the accidents listed in this article, it is important to speak to an experienced car accident attorney to learn about your rights and how to pursue justice and compensation against the at-fault party.

Rear-End Collisions

Another type of car accident is the rear-end collision. This type of accident occurs when one car collides with the rear of another on the road. Common reasons for this type of accident include:

Speeding
Tailgating (following too closely)
Aggressive driving
Driving under the influence
Distracted driving
Poor weather conditions

Injuries in this type of accident can range from minor to severe. Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions, given that the head and neck are often jerked backward and forward suddenly and with great force. Other possible injuries include back pain, lacerations, shoulder injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Vigilance is an essential trait when driving a car on a public road and it is always important to leave a proper amount of space between the car in front. Rear-end collisions often occur when the motorist in front is forced to break suddenly. If the following car is too close, it may not have sufficient time to slow down, resulting in a collision.

Distracted driving, such as using a mobile phone, increases the risk of this type of accident occurring. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs also reduces a motorist’s reaction times, making this type of accident more likely.

Head-On Collisions

One of the most serious and dangerous types of car accidents is a head-on collision. As with other types of car accidents, head-on collisions are often caused by distracted driving, where a motorist is not paying full attention to the road and other road users. Driving in poor weather conditions or practicing unsafe driving, such as speeding or performing dangerous overtaking maneuvers, also increase the likelihood of this type of accident.

Given the nature of this type of accident, the injuries sustained are often severe (practically if high speeds are involved). Internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe lacerations, burns, and broken bones are all common in head-on collisions. Motorists may also be thrown from their vehicles as a result of the force, or pinned inside.

There are several steps that motorists can take to reduce the likelihood of this type of accident. These include avoiding being distracted while driving, obeying the speed limit, and keeping the car in a road-worthy condition. Furthermore, taking extra care during inclement weather helps to reduce the likelihood of a road traffic accident.

Rollover Accidents

A vehicle rollover occurs when a vehicle flips over, either onto its side or roof. Rollover accidents have a higher death rate than other types of collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Common causes of rollovers on the road include:

Swerving to avoid oncoming cars
Oversteering
Inattention
Lack of driving experience
Lack of familiarity with the road
Aggressive driving
Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
Distracted driving
Intoxification

The injuries sustained in this type of car accident are often very similar to those mentioned above, including internal injuries and broken bones.

The Most Common Types of Car Accidents, Explained

As this article on the most common types of car accidents explains, several different types of car accidents can occur on public roads. The most common include side-on collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and rollovers.

If you wish to see an experienced accident and personal injury attorney in Tustin and Orange County, your premier choice is Legacy Accident Lawyers. We will help you every step of the step to receive the justice ad compensation you deserve.