What are the Different Types of Car Accidents?

Every year, thousands of car accidents take place in Texas. In 2018 alone, the Texas Department of Transportation reported 12,186 serious injury crashes and 3,652 traffic fatalities. One reportable car accident occurred every 58 seconds in Texas. Certain types of car accidents, however, occur more often than others in San Antonio and throughout the country.

Rear-End Collision

A rear-end collision occurs when the front of one car collides with the rear-end of the car in front of it. Driver A may crash into the back of Driver B’s vehicle, for example, if Driver A was speeding, tailgating (not leaving enough following distance), texting and driving, or driving under the influence. If Driver A does not notice Driver B slow down or stop in time to hit the brakes, Driver A may be liable for causing a rear-end collision.

Side-Impact or T-Bone Collision

A side-impact collision, also called a T-bone or broadside accident, is when one vehicle slams into the side of another. This type of accident can cause various amounts of damage, from minor property damage to catastrophic physical injuries. These collisions can occur when one driver runs a red light or makes an illegal left-hand turn into oncoming traffic.

Head-On Collision

This type of collision describes the front of two vehicles – traveling in opposite directions – colliding with each other. A head-on collision occurs at the combined speeds of both cars. If one was traveling 40 miles per hour, therefore, and the other was traveling 50, the speed of the head-on collision would be 90 miles per hour. For this reason, these accidents are often catastrophic.

Multi-Car Accident

Many car accidents involve more than two vehicles. These are called multi-car or pile-up accidents. It can be especially difficult to determine fault in these accidents, as the person who hit you may not be responsible for causing the multi-car accident. The person behind him or her may instead be liable for starting the chain-reaction crash. These accidents can be particularly dangers if a truck is part of the accident. A San Antonio attorney truck accident lawyer can help you navigate this process.

Merging Accidents

Merge and lane-change accidents are some of the most common collisions in Texas. These accidents are typically the fault of the driver performing the maneuver. It is the merging driver’s responsibility to merge safely by using a reasonable speed, using turn signals, yielding to existing traffic and checking to make sure the destination lane is clear.

Single-Vehicle Crash

A single-vehicle crash only involves one car and driver. It often describes a collision with a fixed object. Although there are no other drivers involved in these types of accidents, the driver who crashed may not be responsible if an outside element caused the collision, such as a roadway hazard or a defective vehicle part.

Low-Speed Collision

Low-speed collisions are most common in parking lots and roads with heavy traffic congestion. These are what cause the majority of property-damage only crashes. Most low-speed collisions only cause minor to moderate property damage and no injuries. However, it is possible to get injured or exacerbate an existing injury in a low-speed collision, such as a neck or back injury.

Parking Lot Crash

Parking lot crashes can take place when a driver is speeding or not paying attention. These collisions often involve pedestrians who are walking through the parking lot. If a driver fails to look behind him or her before reversing out of a parking spot, for example, the driver may crash into a pedestrian. Failing to yield the right-of-way in parking lots can also cause accidents.

Rollover Car Accident

A rollover car accident can cause substantial injuries, including crush injuries and severe spinal cord injuries. They can also cause limb amputations and traumatic brain injuries. These accidents can happen for many reasons, including a tire blowout, a car tripping on a pothole, a driver jerking the steering wheel to avoid an accident or a commercial truck jackknifing. Some vehicles, such as SUVs, are more prone to rollover accidents than others.

If you have been injured in any of these types of crashes, contact a car accident attorney in San Antonio for legal advice.