5 Types of Car Accidents… And What To Do If You’re Involved In One
Every day slightly more than a hundred people die on American roads. While no one car accident is exactly like another, they all fall into individual categories based on the underlying circumstance.
The first step toward staying safe while on the road is knowing the circumstances that increase the chances of a specific type of accident. But worry not, as this post highlights various types of car accidents and what to do if you get yourself in one.
Common Types of Car Accidents
1. Head-On Collision
NHTSA’s 2019 data put head-on collisions at the top of the list of the most common accidents. This type of accident involves cars moving in the opposite direction, colliding head-on.
Distracted driving, intoxication, wrong-way driving, and improper overtaking are among the leading causes of head-on collisions. When high speeds are involved, head-on collisions can result in life-altering injuries or even death.
2. Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the second most common type of accident. They involve two cars moving in the same direction where the car behind bumps into the trunk of the leading car.
Several reasons can cause rear-end collisions, including abrupt braking by the leading driver, following too closely, and hazardous road or weather conditions.
3. Sideswipe Accident
This type of accident involves two cars driving next to each other in the same direction, then one car’s left side comes into contact with another car’s right side.
Sideswipe accidents normally occur when a vehicle moves into a lane at the wrong time. Driving under the influence, distractions, and driver’s negligence are often to blame when side-wipe accidents happen.
4. T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents occur at intersections. They involve one car failing to give way or running a red light resulting in one car hitting the other on the side. Damages resulting from a T-bone accident can be quite severe, especially if the car hitting the other on the side was at high speed.
5. Single Car Accidents
There are situations where a single car could get involved in an accident. Common single-car accidents include rollover accidents, driving into barriers or other objects on the side of the road, crashing into animals, and crashes involving debris or foreign objects on the road.
What to Do After an Accident
No matter the type of car accident you get involved in, taking the right steps can help reduce its impact on your life or that of a loved one. Here are some important steps to take after an accident:
1. Call 911
Your priority should always be getting medical attention for your injuries. So the first thing should be to place the 911 call, which brings the police and the emergency services to the scene.
Getting a checkup is a good idea, whether or not your injuries are apparent. Besides getting on-the-scene medical attention, ensure you see an ER doctor. Your medical records will be critical if you intend to sue the at-fault party or seek compensation from your insurer.
2. Document the Scene
If you are not so badly hurt, you can document the scene while waiting for the police and the ambulance services. The simplest way of documenting the scene would be taking pictures and video footage.
You may also want to collect other information that could add weight to your cases, such as witness testimonies and contacts and the other driver’s contact and insurance information.
3. Hire an Experienced Lawyer
Unless your injuries are a few scrapes and bruises, you may need to involve a lawyer, especially if you intend to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
When hiring someone to represent you in a car accident claim, it is important to look for specialization. That means even when you could know a competent criminal lawyer, they may not be the best layer to handle a personal injury claim.
You will need to hire a competent car accident lawyer whose success at recovering fair outcomes you can establish.
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