Types of Traffic Collisions

Car accidents can happen in many different ways, and the various car crash types could mean more severe injuries for victims. Other factors will also come into play, such as the speed of each vehicle at the time, vehicle safety features, and whether or not occupants were wearing their seatbelts.

The types of car accidents that occur may also result in victims incurring some of the blame. It is essential to know about your rights to protect them in the event of a crash. Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law is committed to assisting victims in all types of car accidents. In this article, we provide examples of vehicle collisions, what causes them, and the steps you need to take in the aftermath. 

Types of Car Accidents

There are many ways that car accidents unfold on the roads. Here is a look at each of the car crash types:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents are the most common type of car accident, which occur when a car is following the lead car too closely. When the front vehicle stops and another vehicle is too close behind, there isn’t enough time to stop. 

It is always best to leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the next one in front. If a sudden hazard appears or they stop suddenly for any reason, you’ll avoid a crash. Rear-end collisions are almost always the fault of the driver in the rear, especially if the front vehicle has already come to a complete stop.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions often result in the most serious injuries or fatalities as they usually occur at high rates of speed. These types of car accidents happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. It could be due to one or both cars veering over the centerline, or it could be a wrong-way driving scenario, which is common when one driver is intoxicated. 

Side-Impact Collisions

Side-impact crashes are commonly called “T-bone” accidents or even “broadside” crashes. The shape of the vehicles tends to form a “T” on impact, where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another one. When a side-impact accident occurs, it is usually due to a driver not paying attention or speeding through an intersection, resulting in serious injuries.

Single Vehicle Crashes

A single-vehicle crash only involves one vehicle that runs off the road or collides with a fixed object. It’s easy to assume a driver that crashes in this way is at fault, though other factors beyond their control could have led to the wreck. There may have been a hazard in the roadway that the municipality or a construction crew should have handled to keep the road safe. 

Single-vehicle accidents may also arise out of shoddy maintenance practices. If a mechanic fails to properly maintain brakes, tires, or other vital systems during recent maintenance, they may be held liable. 

Left Turn Accidents

Wherever there are intersections or cars can cross paths, there will be left-turn accidents. When a driver attempts to make a left turn, they must make sure the way is clear before proceeding through the intersection. Failing to gauge the distance of oncoming traffic not or adequately seeing the smaller profile of a motorcycle going straight are common reasons why left-turn accidents happen. 

Sideswipe Accidents

Scenarios on the road that involve merging or changing lanes lead to sideswipe accidents. Even though both vehicles are traveling in the same direction, they can still cause severe impacts and injuries in this type of car accident. 

Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups

Multi-vehicle pile-ups are often the result of a chain reaction and tend to create many different individual crashes and injuries. They’re more likely to occur on the highway, and as the first crash unfolds, it may be difficult for other vehicles to avoid, causing them to become part of the accident, leading to a pile-up. Some cars may get hit multiple times from different angles, leading to catastrophic injuries. 

Common Causes of Traffic Collisions

The majority of the vehicle collision examples listed above are most often caused by driver error. Here are the common ways these types of car accidents are caused:

Distracted Driving

Over the years, technology has improved efficiency and access, though it has also created another distraction for drivers. While texting or talking on the phone aren’t the only distractions, these actions cause drivers to take their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, and their minds off of driving.

Visual, manual, and cognitive distractions of any kind can lead to a car crash. Other distracted behaviors include talking to passengers, changing the radio station, looking up directions on GPS, grooming, grabbing for an item out of reach, eating, drinking, or zoning out. 

Driving Under the Influence

The easy access to rideshare options makes driving while intoxicated an even more negligent action. Anyone who gets behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs is a danger to all others on the road. Certain prescription drugs that have been legally prescribed can also hinder reaction times or cause a driver to make reckless decisions.

Drivers who cause accidents while under the influence will be subjected to criminal charges, and their negligence also opens the door for a personal injury lawsuit.

Fatigued Driving

Tired drivers are also a danger since lack of proper sleep can slow their reaction times and hinder their ability to make sound decisions. Fatigued drivers may also fall asleep at the wheel, causing them to drift over the centerline into oncoming traffic or waft into adjacent lanes while traveling in the same direction.

Reckless or Aggressive Driving Behaviors

Speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic are all reckless or aggressive driving behaviors. These actions make it more likely for accidents to occur. Some drivers may speed because they are running late, while others become enraged when surrounded by traffic. When drivers behave in these ways, they are more likely to swerve and lose control or not have enough time to come to a stop when traffic slows ahead. 

Inclement Weather

When it’s rainy, snowy, icy, or foggy, more accidents will happen. However, even though the weather can’t be controlled, drivers are expected to maintain their behavior on the road. In other words, the weather may be a factor for these car crash types, though it can’t be solely blamed. 

Drivers may be on a 55 mph road, but if the rain is really coming down, they should slow down to below that posted speed limit to adjust for the conditions. A driver who is going the posted speed limit when the weather limits visibility or control is one that could be blamed for their role in causing a crash. 

Failing to Adhere to Scheduled Vehicle Maintenance

Every driver has a responsibility to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy. Keeping up with scheduled maintenance helps prevent dangerous issues on the road. You should always have your brakes, tires, and other vehicle systems maintained at proper intervals. 

Additionally, each driver should check tire pressure and tread and ensure that headlights, taillights, and brake lights are working. When an investigation after a car accident reveals that any of these items were not working, it could mean the driver in question is held liable for the crash.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities in Car Accidents

After a car accident, you must understand your legal rights and responsibilities. Among those rights, you may have legal recourse when another driver causes the accident. In states that follow no-fault models for insurance, each driver must file a claim with their own insurance company. They are only permitted to file a lawsuit if their injuries reach the serious injury threshold or if medical expenses exceed certain limits.

In at-fault states, such as Washington State, the driver who caused the crash will be held responsible for paying damages for injuries and other financial losses. Their insurance policy will typically cover it, though when they only carry the bare minimum coverage, a civil lawsuit may be filed against them.

Determining fault can turn into a game of finger-pointing where the drivers blame one another. It will require an investigation into the exact cause to issue liability. Comparative negligence will then be considered, and depending on the state, it could mean some drivers are barred from collecting compensation.

Understanding Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence is a rule used to examine fault. In many types of car accidents, each driver may have contributed to the crash. Some states use modified comparative negligence, which will prevent drivers who are 50% or 51% at fault from recovering compensation for their injuries. 

States that use contributory negligence will not allow for recovery of compensation, even if the victim is only 1% at fault. In Washington State, the system is one of pure comparative negligence, which allows a plaintiff to recover damages even if they are up to 99% at fault.

While you may still file your claim, if you are partially blamed for your role in the crash, your compensation will be reduced by that amount. In a rear-end collision, if you were stopped at a red light and another driver slammed into the rear of your vehicle, you would not incur any blame in this scenario. The other driver would be deemed fully at fault and responsible for paying your damages.

However, if you were traveling through an intersection on a green light and another driver ran a red light, causing a side-impact crash, things may be seen differently. In the event you were going just slightly above the speed limit in this scenario, you may be assigned 10% of the blame. It could be argued that if you were going the speed limit, you would have avoided the crash. If your compensation of medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses totaled $50,000, it would be reduced by 10%, or $5,000, allowing you only to collect $45,000 of that award. 

Car accident victims have a greater chance of avoiding unjust blame by contacting a car accident attorney to represent them from the start of their claim. 

What Every Driver Must Do After a Crash

There are certain responsibilities each driver has when an accident occurs. You may not realize this, though, when you are in an auto accident, you need to notify your insurer of what happened. Every auto insurance policy varies, but each one has stipulations about reporting accidents.

It does not matter if you did not cause the wreck or if you plan to file a claim with your insurer. You are bound by your contract with the insurance company to call and notify them of this incident. Even in states that follow an at-fault model, you need to inform your insurer in the event that the other driver tries to make a third-party claim.

Another thing each driver needs to do after an accident is to exchange insurance information with the other driver. If you try to exchange information and the other driver refuses to provide it, let the police know when they arrive on the scene.

Your Right to Legal Representation

You should know that no matter which of these car crash types you experience, you have the right to legal representation. In states that follow at-fault models, it is in your best interest to hire a car accident lawyer to make sure that your legal rights are represented. 

It is common to face blame in many of these vehicle collision examples. It is also common for insurance agents to tell car accident victims that they don’t need a lawyer to file a claim. This tactic is one they rely on to offer you a lower settlement. They know you are desperate to put this situation behind you and to get money for your medical bills. 

What you don’t know is that the value of your car accident claim is likely much higher than the offer they provide. When you sign the release for that check, you are not permitted to seek additional compensation for this crash. By the time you realize you have more expenses than the other driver caused, it will be too late. Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation, and it is highly recommended you utilize this opportunity to determine if you have a valid case.

Steps to Take After an Accident

After any car crash type, you should know the steps you need to take to safeguard your legal rights and avoid false blame. 

Call 911

You’ll likely be shaken up and frightened after the sudden impact of a crash. You or your passengers may be injured, or your vehicle may be disabled and need to be towed out of the way. Even if everything seems fine, you should protect your rights by calling the police.

When officers arrive, they will assess the scene and create a police report that details their initial findings. You are required to call them when the property damage exceeds a specific amount, which is $1,000 in Washington State, or when there are injuries or fatalities. It’s best to err on the side of caution and notify authorities of the accident, as this police report can be used as evidence in your car accident case.

Get Medical Attention Immediately

Not all car accident injuries come with bloody gashes and wounds. You may have a hidden injury with symptoms you’re not noticing due to the adrenaline rush of the wreck. Internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries can become deadly if they are left untreated. It is always best to let paramedics check you out when they arrive. 

After more minor crashes, it’s still wise to visit an urgent care center or your doctor as soon as possible. If you do have any injuries, they will be documented with medical records, and you will be able to use those as evidence for recovering the costs of your medical expenses from the at-fault driver.

Exchange Information

The law requires that drivers involved in accidents share their contact information and insurance information. If the other driver does not cooperate or tries to bribe you not to call the police, make sure you alert the authorities.

Gather Evidence

Before the vehicles are moved out of the way, take photos of where they came to rest on the road. Photos and videos can provide greater detail of the accident’s aftermath. Be sure that you capture images of the damage to your vehicle and do your best to document the scene. The police will take photos, too, though it is wise to have your own set of photos and videos to present in the event that the other driver or their insurer tries to dispute your claim.

Additionally, if there were witnesses who saw your accident, get their contact information and see if they can record a statement on your phone’s voice memos. As time passes, they may forget key details, and getting this information while it’s still fresh is ideal.

Don’t Apologize or Blame

One minute, you’re driving along, and the next, you may be spun around and shoved off the road. Car crashes are upsetting and terrifying, though blaming the other driver doesn’t do you any good, even if they are entirely at fault. 

Similarly, you might be inclined to say that you’re sorry, as many people do when unfortunate circumstances like these occur. This is something you should never say on the scene of an accident, as your words can be construed as an admission of your fault. If you are concerned about the occupants of the other vehicle, it is perfectly fine to ask them if they are okay and if they need an ambulance.

Notify Your Insurer

Most insurance companies do provide a small grace period after a car crash to give notice. Generally, this is within 24 to 48 hours afterward. Stick with the facts of what happened ,and do not speculate when alerting them to your accident.

Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Before You File Your Insurance Claim

One of the most important steps you can take after any type of traffic collision is to speak with a lawyer who represents car accident cases. They can provide insight into your unique situation and examine the factors of your case, allowing you to decide the following action to take.

Working with a car accident lawyer is best from the start of your claim. If you have suffered serious injuries, mainly if you were transported to the hospital from the scene of the accident, you should not try to handle the legal process on your own.

Remember, the insurance company will be actively looking for ways to minimize your payout, either by blaming you or offering to cover only certain damages. Accepting the first settlement offer before an attorney can fully calculate the full extent of your damages may mean that you wind up paying out of pocket for expenses that the negligent driver caused you to incur. You may know that you have medical bills waiting to be paid or some that you have already paid. What about the costs of your future medical care? Do you need to make modifications to your home because your injuries have caused a permanent disability? Are you able to go back to work after you recover? 

You may not be thinking of all these things or how your physical injuries have impacted your mental health. However, your lawyer will know to calculate all of these things into your damages and negotiate for what is fair. They will also have the resources needed to hire expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists who can show how the accident happened or medical experts who can testify about the impacts of your condition.

If you have been in any type of car accident and have suffered injuries, contact Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group. You can schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about the options you may have available.