The Most Common Types of Car Accidents

Each year, there are millions of car accidents in the United States. When most people think about them, they imagine two cars colliding head-on or t-boning in an intersection. However, depending on the causes of car accidents, many types of car accidents can occur.

Some are more common, while others are less likely to happen but can be catastrophic if they do.

Knowing the different types of crashes can help you understand the consequences and the course of action. So, it is vital to be aware of the different types to know how to respond if one happens to you. Without further ado, read on and find out.

What Is a Car Accident?

A car accident is a collision between two or more vehicles. It can also happen if a car hits an object like a tree or a pedestrian. In fact, there are many different types of car accidents.

Depending on the accident’s severity, they can result in property or car damage, minor injuries, major injuries, or even death.

Types of Car Accidents—Car Accident Terminology

There are many different types of auto crashes. This section provides you with some of the most common types of car crashes, so let’s learn the basics of each of them:

• Rear-end collisions occur when one car rear-ends another. They can result in serious injuries, including whiplash and neck and back injuries. Generally speaking, these are the types of at-fault car accidents.

• Side-impact collisions: Also called T-bone accidents, side-impact collisions occur when one car crashes into the side of another. This car accident type can be particularly devastating, as it often results in severe injuries to the occupants of both vehicles.

• Head-on collisions are accidents that occur when two cars collide head-on. They are the most common types of car accidents. In addition, these accidents are often fatal. The primary reason behind this is that they produce tremendous force.

• Sideswipe accidents are the types of road accident occurrences between two vehicles proceeding in the same direction, where the car sides make contact. A sideswipe accident can cause severe damage to both vehicles and lead to passengers’ injuries.

• Multi-auto accidents are car collisions involving three or more cars. These accidents often result in serious injuries or even death due to the high speed and the amount of impact force involved.

• Single-vehicle accidents involve only one car and usually occur when a driver loses control of a vehicle, veers off the road, and hits an object or overturns. In addition to property damage, a single-vehicle accident can often result in injuries or even fatalities.

• Blind spot accidents are types of car accidents that happen when a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot and can have serious consequences. In addition to causing property damage, blind spot accidents can lead to injuries or even death.

• Rollover accidents refer to a car in an accident that tips onto its side or roof. In fact, over 6,000 people were rollover casualties in 2019. Those are serious car crashes since occupants are more likely to be ejected from the car during the accident. Also, when you wonder: “what are the 5 types of accidents?” remember these are among the most common ones.

• Low-speed accidents are collisions that occur at speeds under 10 mph. Even though the damage may seem minor, these types of auto accidents can often result in car damage and severe injuries. Whiplash, for example, is a common injury that can occur even at low speeds. This is because the neck is forced to move beyond its normal range of motion, causing strain on the muscles and ligaments.

• Merging accidents are motor accidents that often occur when one driver attempts to merge into the lane of another, resulting in a collision. These accidents can be hazardous as they often involve high speed and leave victims with serious injuries. In some cases, merging accidents can even be fatal. In addition to the physical harm, merging accidents can lead to significant property damage.

Types of Car Accidents and Car Accident Claims

If you’ve been in a car accident, you may wonder what to expect physically after a car accident and how to file a claim. First, you’ll need to contact your car insurance company and tell them what happened. Be sure to have all the pertinent information on hand, including witnesses’ names and contact information.

Your insurance company will then send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine how much your claim is worth. Once you’ve settled with your insurance company, you’ll need to pay for any repairs out of pocket.

If your car is totalled, you’ll receive a check for the value of your vehicle minus any deductible. Filing a car accident claim can be stressful, but understanding the basics will help make it go as smoothly as possible.

Do All Types of Car Accidents Require a Lawyer?

Many people are uncertain whether they should hire a lawyer after a car accident. There are several factors to consider when making this decision. For example, the severity of the accident and the extent of the damage will play a role in whether you need legal representation.

You will likely need to hire a car accident lawyer if you are seriously injured or your vehicle sustained significant damage. However, if it was a minor car accident and there was little damage, you may be able to avoid legal and lawyer fees by handling the claim yourself.

A low-speed collision is one of the 3 types of traffic accidents that usually don’t require a lawyer. So, if you want to know how to settle a fender bender, remember that in most cases, the insurance companies can quickly settle the claims for these types of accidents without legal representation.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to hire a lawyer after a car accident should be based on your circumstances.

Types of Car Accidents—-People Also Ask