Types of Car Accidents

No two car accidents are alike, and even two passengers in the same vehicle can have drastically different experiences in the same crash. While one may walk away unscathed, the other could be facing a life of chronic pain, surgeries, and mounting medical bills.

However, that does not mean that car accidents are not categorized by type, some of which are statistically much more dangerous and injurious than others. This is a list of some of the most common types of car accidents, but whether or not you see yours listed below, you can be confident that your attorney at Mountain States Injury Law will treat your case like the unique situation it truly is.

Contact Mountain States Injury Law Today

Take a look below to get a better idea of common types of car accidents, and contact us right away to request a free consultation. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask specific questions, understand how the claims process works, and discuss past cases we’ve represented that are similar to yours. We can help you understand exactly what our working relationship can look like if we decide to partner together.

There is no obligation to work with our firm after our initial consultation, and since we work purely on contingency fees, you will not pay a dollar out of pocket and only pay if we win. Contingency fees are a predetermined percentage of your award, so there will be no surprises at the end.

Take a look below at some of the most common types of car accidents, and contact us right away to discuss yours.

Common Types of Car Accidents

The following are some of the most common types of car accidents we see at Mountain States Injury Law:

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous and deadly types of car accidents. These crashes often occur on highways when one driver veers into oncoming traffic or when both drivers cross the centerline at the same time.

Head-on collisions can also occur on city streets when one driver makes a left-hand turn and collides with an oncoming vehicle.

Side-Impact Collisions (“T-Bone Accidents ”)

Side-impact collisions occur when the side of one vehicle is impacted by the front or rear of another. These crashes are also referred to as “T-bone” accidents. These types of collisions often occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way or runs a red light or stop sign.

Newer crash technology has helped to reduce impacts with things like side airbags and impact-absorbing side panels, whereas older vehicles had little to no protection, and these crashes were much more likely to end in broken bones and other serious injuries.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents and often occur when one driver is following another too closely and rear-ends them when they stop suddenly. These types of accidents often occur in traffic jams or stop-and-go traffic, but can also happen when one driver is not paying attention and rear-ends another who has slowed down or stopped for a pedestrian or animal on the road. Rear-end collisions commonly cause whiplash, even at low speeds. Sometimes in minor rear-end crashes, like in a parking lot, victims are self-conscious about claiming an injury, but a soft-tissue injury like whiplash or a back injury is very common.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are among the deadliest types of car accidents. These crashes often occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle, and it overturns. Rollover accidents are most common in SUVs and trucks because of their higher center of gravity but can happen in any type of vehicle under certain conditions. When a car rolls, the safety features like safety belts and airbags are designed specifically based on impacts from a horizontal direction, and a rolling vehicle is impacted at every possible angle, drastically reducing their effectiveness.

Single-Vehicle Crashes

Single-vehicle crashes are exactly what they sound like — a collision involving only one car. These crashes often occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle, veers off the road, and collides with something like a tree, pole, or guardrail. Single-vehicle accidents are common in adverse weather conditions like ice and snow.

According to the NHTSA: “Fatalities in single-vehicle crashes increased by 9.4 percent (19,877 in 2019 to 21,741 in 2020). In comparison, fatalities in multi-vehicle crashes increased by 3.7 percent (16,478 in 2019 to 17,083 in 2020).”

Passengers in a single-vehicle crash have every right to seek full and fair compensation for a crash but they can be put in an uncomfortable position if the at-fault driver is a friend or family member. We will help you through this process and seek fair compensation while working to avoid an overly-contentious process.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Multi-vehicle pileups are large-scale accidents that often happen on highways in adverse weather conditions but can also occur in good weather if one driver rear-ends another, causing a chain reaction. These crashes often involve dozens of vehicles and can be very dangerous and deadly.

Trying to unravel the complexity of an insurance claim when multiple vehicles are involved is a full-time job at the start, as different insurance companies try to pin the blame on other drivers, avoid liability for their own policyholders, and continue to downplay the financial impacts of the crash for any valid claimant. Again, working with an attorney is a major advantage here, especially if you end up filing multiple claims against multiple drivers.

Sideswipe Collisions

A sideswipe collision is when the side of one vehicle hits the side of another. These accidents often occur when one driver changes lanes without properly checking their blind spot and sideswipes another vehicle. These types of crashes are usually less injurious than others, but there is a significant risk of amputation or a crushing injury if a passenger has their arm hanging out of the window.

Even if there are no catastrophic injuries, any injury sustained in an accident, no matter how big or small, must be addressed in the claims process. Victims don’t deserve to take on any of the financial burden caused by someone else’s decision to make a dangerous lane change or drift into another vehicle, and your attorney will fight to ensure that does not happen.

What To Do After a Car Accident

If you have been involved in any type of car accident, the first thing you should do is call 911. Too often, victims are convinced to handle it directly with the at-fault driver, only to learn later that the driver has now changed their story, provided false information, or does not have insurance.

When the EMTs arrive, it is absolutely essential that you seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you are injured. Allow the EMTs to assess your condition and take you to the hospital if they believe it is necessary. Many injuries, especially soft-tissue injuries, do not present symptoms immediately following an accident, so even if the EMTs clear you, schedule a follow-up with your doctor as soon as possible.

You should also try to collect as much information about the accident as possible. This includes taking pictures of the damage to both vehicles, getting the contact information for any witnesses, and writing down your recollection of the accident and events leading up to it. This will be extremely helpful for your attorney as they build your case.

Finally, you should call an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your options going forward. An attorney can help you navigate the insurance claims process, file a lawsuit if necessary, and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Contact Mountain States Injury Law To Request a Consultation Today

At Mountain States Injury Law, we have extensive experience handling all types of car accident cases, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Our goal is to obtain the best possible outcome for our clients, whether that is through a settlement or jury verdict.

During your free consultation, we will be able to go over the details of your case and provide you with specific answers to questions about your unique situation. There is no obligation to work with our firm after your consultation, so you only stand to benefit. Contact us right away to get started.