You risk getting into a car crash each time you drive your car. You can reduce the probability of getting into an accident by obeying the traffic rules and being a responsible driver. The problem is that some people are negligent while driving and their negligence can cause an unwanted crash. However, you can avoid this by knowing the most common types and causes of car accidents, as well as who is usually at fault for them.
Rear-end collisions
A rear-end collision happens when a car’s front hits another car by the back. Drivers usually cause this type of car accident when they drive while distracted and without paying much attention to the car in front of them. Rear-end collisions can also happen if a driver doesn’t leave much distance between their car and the one in front of them. These accidents are very common, and they cause serious injuries like whiplash. In rear-end collisions, the driver of the car in the back is usually at fault.
Head-on collisions
Head-on collisions are the most dangerous of car crashes, and they were also the second most common type of car accident in 2019. These accidents involve two vehicles that collide front to front, which could be deadly for both drivers if they were traveling at high speed. Head-on collisions can occur on roads with narrow lanes where no barriers separate the drivers from opposing traffic. It is easy for drivers to swerve and go the wrong way if they are tired, distracted or intoxicated.
Side-impact collisions
Also known as T bone accidents, side-impact collisions happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another car. Most times, distracted drivers and drivers who ignore the traffic lights cause these accidents. The driver with the damage to the front is at most times the one at fault. T bone accidents are very dangerous, especially for the passengers who sit on the side that the other car hits.
Rollovers
A rollover can seriously injure the passengers of a car. Rollovers occur when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. Many factors cause these accidents, such as the weather conditions and the type of vehicle or terrain. However, most of these accidents happen when a driver takes a sharp turn at high speeds. Although they are not the most common type of accidents, they are not rare either. In 2019, more than 2,400 rollover accidents happened in the United States.
Single car accidents
Single car accidents are very common, and they happen when a car strikes a fixed or non-fixed object on the road, like a light pole, a tree or an animal. In some cases, single car accidents may involve pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 7,130 single-vehicle crashes occurred in 2019.
Multiple vehicle collisions
Multiple vehicle collisions involve more than two cars. The causes of multiple vehicle collisions can vary. Still, most times, they happen when one car moves into the path of other drivers after being hit by another car. These accidents are severe because some vehicles are hit multiple times and from different directions.
Doing justice
Car accidents can happen in many different ways and for various reasons. Still, the driver at fault for an accident must always compensate the other driver for their damages and losses, such as lost wages and medical expenses. No one should pay for another’s mistake, and victims of car accidents can do justice by taking their case to court.