An Introduction to 5 Common Accidents

Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 32,675 people died in car accidents in 2014—703 of them in Virginia. Worse yet, estimates based on accidents in first half of 2015 show that traffic accident fatalities are on the rise. These serious motor vehicle accidents happen for many reasons, but the following is an overview of five common types of car accidents that cause injuries and death on our city streets, country roads, and highways.

Common Types of Auto Accidents

It’s important to remember that while the following types of accidents occur repeatedly, every accident is unique, and the details should be documented carefully.

1. Rear-End Collision: This type of accident occurs when a car (or other vehicle) crashes into the car or truck in front of it. The driver in the rear is almost always to blame—these accidents are usually the result of following too closely, driving while distracted, or driving while under the influence. And while rear-end collisions may sound minor on the surface, severe injuries can result, depending on how fast the car in the rear was moving at the time of the crash.
2. T-Bone Accident: In a T-bone or side-impact accident, one car crashes head on into the side of another vehicle, creating the characteristic T shape. Side-impact accidents are usually the result of failing to yield the right of way—often because the at-fault driver ran a red light, drove while intoxicated, or was distracted at the time of the accident. Many serious injuries occur due to these types of accidents, including bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), internal bleeding, lacerations, and even death.
3. Head-On Collision: A head-on collision occurs when the front end of one car crashes into the front end of another. Often, these accidents can be attributed to a drunk driver, drowsy driver, distracted driver, or driver who experiences a medical emergency and drifts from his lane into oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, because head-on collisions often happen at high speeds, they often lead to catastrophic injuries and death.
4. Rollover Accident: Rollover accidents occur when a driver turns the steering wheel suddenly to avoid an obstacle of some sort. Often, these crashes involve only a single car, but they also occur when a driver swerves drastically because of another driver’s actions. According to the NHTSA, rollover accidents are among the most dangerous types of accidents—they account for upwards of 35% of fatal car crashes in the US.
5. Hit-and-Run Crash: Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Virginia, but drivers still do it, often because they are worried getting into trouble with the law for some reason. A hit-and-run accident can occur after any type of crash involving another vehicle or a pedestrian, so it is important to try and get a look at the other driver, the vehicle he is driving, and the license plate number if at all possible.

Have you been seriously injured in a car accident? No matter how the accident occurred, the experienced legal team at Tavss Fletcher is ready to advocate for you and help you obtain compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses. To find out how we can help, fill out the contact form on your screen—a member of our team will get back with you shortly.