Every year, millions of people are involved in car accidents – some minor, and others that result in serious injuries or even death. While there is no way to completely prevent these accidents from occurring, it is important to be aware of the most common types and how to deal with them.
Rear-end collision
This is the most common type of car accident, accounting for around 29% of all accidents. They often happen when one driver is following another too closely and doesn’t have enough time to stop when the lead driver brakes. This usually happens on roads and highways with heavy traffic like Loop Freeway / I-610 in Houston, I-290 in Chicago, or I-710 in Los Angeles.
To avoid rear-end collisions, always keep a safe following distance from the car in front of you. And if you’re approaching a stopped or slowed vehicle, be sure to brake early and give yourself plenty of time to come to a complete stop.
If you do find yourself in a rear-end collision, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. If there are no serious injuries, exchange insurance information with the other driver and then contact your insurer to file a claim. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as this can help you with your insurance claim and may be used as evidence in the case of a legal dispute. Houston legal professionals from ToughInjuryLawyers recommend seeking a personal injury attorney’s advice even if you think you have the situation under control. Contrary to what some people think, the role of a personal injury lawyer is not limited to assisting with claims and lawsuits but also ensuring the clients get proper medical attention, proper injury assessment, and protection of their rights.
Side-impact collisions
Side-impact collisions account for about 10% of car crashes. They happen when the side of one vehicle hits the side of another. These accidents often result in serious injuries due to the force with which two cars collide.
To prevent side-impact collisions, always keep an eye out for reckless drivers and slow down when making turns or crossing intersections. If you are involved in a side-impact collision, be sure to stay at the scene until emergency services arrive and wait until you have spoken with your insurer before moving your vehicle from the road.
Head-on collisions
One of the most serious types of car accidents is a head-on collision. Head-on collisions typically occur when one vehicle collides with another vehicle head-on, or when a vehicle collides with a stationary object such as a tree or a wall. Head-on collisions can be particularly dangerous because they often result in very high levels of force being applied to the occupants of the vehicles involved. This can lead to serious injuries or even death.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to head-on collisions. One of the most common is driver error. This could involve a driver who is not paying attention to the road and drifts into oncoming traffic or a driver who is impaired by alcohol or drugs and veers into oncoming traffic. Another common cause of head-on collisions is mechanical failure. This could involve a tire blowout which causes a driver to lose control of their vehicle and collide with oncoming traffic, or it could involve a problem with the steering or brakes which causes a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
Head-on collisions can be devastating, both for the occupants of the vehicles involved and for their families. If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on collision, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to review your case and will fight to help you get proper compensation.
Rollover accidents
Rollover accidents happen when a vehicle suddenly loses traction with the road surface and starts to flip or tumble over. There are many factors that can contribute to this loss of grip, including sudden maneuvers by other vehicles on the road, inclement weather conditions, or a poorly maintained vehicle. The most common cause, however, is simply driving too fast for the road conditions.
If you do find yourself in a rollover accident situation, try to remain calm and think rationally. The first step is to stabilize your vehicle by applying the brakes firmly and turning off the engine to prevent fire or explosion. Then, get out of the car as quickly as possible using the doors on whichever side it came to rest on. If you’re unable to exit through one of these doors, open the window instead and climb through that way. Once out of the car, move a safe distance away from it in case there are any further explosions or fires.
If anyone else was involved in the accident with you, check carefully for injuries before moving them if necessary and calling an ambulance right away if needed. Then, get in touch with your insurance company so they can help arrange compensation for any damage caused.
No one wants to be involved in a car accident, but unfortunately, they happen every day. By knowing the most common types of car accidents and how to deal with them, you can be prepared in the event that you are involved in one.
