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Jonathan Rosenfeld
J.D

March 2, 2023

Over $400 Million worth of case results

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types-automobile-accidents

Driving is risky, and accidents can and will happen no matter how safe you try to be. Knowing what kind of crash you’re dealing with is critical for understanding your rights and responsibilities and those of the other drivers involved.

In addition, by understanding the different types of car accidents, you can be better prepared if one does occur.

Were you injured in an accident? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve for your damages.

Contact our Chicago car accident attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Drivers need to be aware of the different types of car accidents to understand their risks every time they get behind the wheel.

Car accidents can happen in any situation and can be caused by countless factors. Unfortunately, no one is immune from them, so drivers need to be educated on the different types of accidents.

By understanding the different types of vehicle crashes, drivers will identify potential risks and take steps to avoid them.

Types Of Car Accidents

Statistics of Car Accidents in the United States

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [1], car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury, traumatic brain injuries, and death in America, accounting for more than 30,000 fatalities each year. That’s more than 90 deaths per day.

In 2017, there was an estimated 6.7 million car crashes in the United States, resulting in 3.5 million injuries and 37,133 deaths (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). On average, there are about 18,000 vehicle crashes every day.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC) [2], the odds of being in an auto crash are 1 in 6 throughout a lifetime.

The NHTSA reported that in 2019, 6,227 fatalities in auto crashes involved drunk drivers. The car accident caused accounted for 29% of all traffic-related deaths that year.

Distracted driving resulted in 8.5% of all fatal crashes in 2019, resulting in 3,142 deaths.

The leading cause of multi-vehicle collisions is reckless driving, which resulted in 26% of all fatal crashes in 2018 (NHTSA).

Drivers who speed are driving recklessly. Car accidents are costly, both human lives and property damage. In 2018, the cost of car crashes was estimated to be $836 billion (NHTSA).

Car Accidents Common Types

There are many different types of car accidents, each with its unique causes and consequences. However, here are some of the most common types of auto accidents:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collision occurs when one driver follows too closely or drives too fast for road conditions, causing rear-end accidents (one car hits the rear of the other driver).

Rear-end collision is another most common type of accident involving two vehicles, accounting for about 28% of crashes. The rear driver typically causes rear-end collisions.

Sideswipe Collisions

Sideswipe accidents occur when one vehicle swipes another while passing through the same direction.

Sideswipe accidents also occur when one car driver makes a lane change and does not look first before merging.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents or side-impact accidents happen when the front of the at-fault driver or party who should be held responsible car crashes into the side of another vehicle, causing accidents leading to more severe injuries.

T-bone crashes often occur in intersections from oncoming traffic, drunk drivers, drivers denying the right of way for others, and distracted drivers.

Side impact accidents often occur when drivers aren’t paying attention or trying to run a stop sign. Side impact collisions are one of the leading causes of death in auto accidents.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are the most deadly type of vehicle crash. Head-on collisions account for more than one-third of all traffic fatalities. A head-on collision is caused by drivers going too fast or being impaired.

Head-on collisions can also occur when a driver crosses the centerline. A head-on collision is dangerous because of the high speeds and the amount of force involved.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips over onto its roof or side. A vehicle rollover accident can be caused by speeding, ignoring traffic signs, turning too quickly, or driving on unstable terrain.

Rollover accidents can lead to vehicle fires from spilled fuel.

Blind Spot Accidents

A blind spot accident happens when a driver changes lanes and hits another vehicle that they couldn’t see because of their blind spot.

These accidents are often caused by drivers who aren’t paying attention or aren’t familiar with their vehicle’s blind spots.

Multi-vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle accidents are accidents that involve three or more vehicles. Multiple-vehicle crashes can be caused by many factors, such as distracted driving or driver inattention, roadway hazards, and speeding.

Single Vehicle Accidents

Single vehicle accidents are accidents that involve only one vehicle. It can be caused by many different factors, such as driver error, bad weather, and mechanical problems.

Single-vehicle crashes are the most common type of auto accident and are becoming more frequent as the number of distracted drivers using a cell phone on the road increases, where they might hit a light pole.

As you can see, there are many different types of car crashes, each with its unique causes and consequences. Therefore, if you have been involved in an auto accident, it is important to seek medical attention and legal help as soon as possible.

No matter what type of vehicle crash you are involved in, it is important to seek medical attention and legal assistance.

Contact a personal injury attorney today to learn more about getting a fair settlement, recovering lost wages, settling medical expenses, and fighting for your rights to be compensated for your damages.

Serious Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can cause many serious injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to life-threatening brain and spinal cord injuries. Some of the most common types of auto crash injuries among the serious injuries include:

  • Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward. It is often caused by rear-end collisions.
  • Concussions area type of brain injury caused by a blow to the head. Concussions can cause a wide range of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, and memory problems.
  • Spinal cord injuries can occur when the spinal column is compressed or severed. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis and other serious health problems.
  • Broken bones are a common type of vehicle crash injury. They can occur when a vehicle is hit from the side or flips over.
  • Burns are a common type of vehicle crash injury when a vehicle catches on fire or is involved in an explosion.
  • Internal bleeding is a serious vehicle accident injury when organs are damaged. It can often lead to death if it is not treated quickly.
  • Amputations are a common type of car accident injury. They can occur when limbs are crushed or severed in an accident.
  • Death: Unfortunately, car accidents are the leading cause of death for people between ages 1 and 54.

There are many different types of auto crashes, and each one can cause a unique type of injury. Therefore, if you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Car Accident

Have you been injured in an accident? Speak with an experienced lawyer at our law firm as soon as possible to discuss your compensation claim’s merits.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC understand the sensitivity of car accident claims and are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Contact our Chicago accident attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free initial consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Resources: [1] NHTSA, [2] National Safety Council

Client Reviews

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

- Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own.

- Ethan Armstrong

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan!

- Giulia

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you.

- Daniel Kaim

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial.

- Lisa
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