Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents are a terrifying reality, with over 6 million crashes occurring each year in the U.S. alone (National Highway Traffic Safety Association). Nearly 2.5 million of these accidents result in visits to local Emergency Rooms, leaving countless victims facing life-changing injuries and emotional trauma. If you’ve been affected, understanding the most common types of car accidents and resulting injuries, then seeking legal representation quickly can help secure the justice and compensation you deserve. Whether you’re involved in a rear-end collision, a T-bone crash, or a more severe head-on accident, having an experienced car accident attorney by your side can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With so many types of car crashes each day on American roads, it’s essential to understand how these accidents affect victims and what you can do following a crash to protect yourself. The expert car accident attorneys at Kanner & Pintaluga are here to review the facts and provide crucial tips to drivers and accident victims. Contact us today for a FREE and confidential case review.

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen in many different ways, each with its own set of causes, risks, and potential consequences. Understanding the various types of car crashes and how they can impact your safety, health, and legal rights is crucial.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

According to the NHTSA, single-vehicle accidents are the most common type of car crash, with 1.8 million reports annually. Single-vehicle accidents occur when only one vehicle is involved in a collision, typically involving the vehicle running off the road, rolling over, or colliding with a fixed object. Common Causes: Distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, weather-related conditions like rain or snow, and mechanical failure are the most common causes of single-vehicle crashes. Common Injuries: Frequent injuries include broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, or ribs, as well as head trauma, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Rollovers in single-vehicle accidents can also lead to severe spinal injuries, internal organ damage, and lacerations.

Rear-End Collisions

According to the NHTSA, the second most common type of car crash is a rear-end collision. There are 1.7 million reported rear-end crashes in America each year. These accidents occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another, often due to sudden stops or following too closely. Common Causes: Distracted driving, tailgating, and driver inattention, especially at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. Common Injuries: Whiplash and neck injuries are most commonly associated with rear-end collisions. This is because the impact of a crash causes the head to jerk forward and backward rapidly, straining the neck muscles and ligaments.

Angle Crashes

With 1.3 million angle crash reports each year, this is the third most common type of car accident. Also known as oblique or side-angle collisions, these accidents occur when one vehicle strikes another at an angle, typically in intersections or parking lots. Common Causes: Failure to yield, running a red light, or making an improper turn can result in an angle crash. Because of the angle of impact, these accidents can cause severe damage to the sides of vehicles, where there is less protection than at the front or rear. Common Injuries: Whiplash and neck injuries are common with angle crashes, as are rib fractures and bone breaks (particularly in the arms and legs). Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains can also occur, as can concussion or TBI.

T-Bone Accidents (Side-Impact Collisions)

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These are America’s fourth most common type of accident, with 800,000 reports of side-swiping incidents each year. Common Causes: These types of car accidents most commonly happen at intersections when one driver runs a red light or fails to yield. Common Injuries: Due to the lack of protection on the side of the vehicle, these collisions can lead to severe injuries. These can include fractures, internal injuries, and head trauma, especially for passengers seated on the impacted side of the vehicle.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on accidents occur when two vehicles collide directly front-to-front, typically at high speeds. They are the fifth most common type of car accident reported annually in the U.S., with 200,000 incidents filed yearly. Common Causes: Reckless driving, crossing over lanes due to distracted or fatigued driving, or driving under the influence. Common Injuries: Head-on collisions are hazardous and often lead to severe injuries–especially when they occur at high speeds. They are the most fatal type of car accidents. Non-fatal injuries can include whiplash and neck injuries, bone breaks, rib fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage.

Fixed Object Collisions

Fixed object collision accidents occur when a vehicle crashes into an immovable object, such as a tree, guardrail, light pole, or building. They are a specific type of single-vehicle crash. Common Causes: Driver inattention, slippery road conditions, loss of control, or impaired driving. Common Injuries: These accidents often lead to whiplash and neck injuries as the sudden impact forces the driver’s body to jerk forward or sideways, causing strain on the neck and spine. In more severe cases, the force of the collision can result in additional injuries such as broken bones, internal injuries, or head trauma.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Pileups are multi-vehicle accidents that involve three or more vehicles. They most often occur on highways and busy roads. Common Causes: Pileups are most commonly caused by high-speed rear-end collisions. Poor weather conditions (like fog, rain, or snow), sudden stops, or driver inattention, such as distracted driving or following too closely, can result in a multi-vehicle crash. Common Injuries: Back and spinal cord injuries, bone breaks, and serious head injuries are common with pileups. However, the complexity and severity of multi-vehicle accidents often lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries like internal organ damage or paralysis.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver involved in a collision flees the scene without stopping to provide information or assist the other parties involved. Common Causes: Reckless driving, driving under the influence, fear of legal ramifications, lack of insurance or proper documentation can all cause other drivers to flee the scene of an accident. Common Injuries: The type of injuries associated with hit-and-run accidents depends on the kind of crash.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents occur when a motor vehicle collides with a person walking or cycling, often at intersections, crosswalks, or along roadsides. Common Causes: Driver inattention, speeding, impaired driving, failure to yield, and poor road conditions. Common Injuries: Whiplash, broken bones, and head injury.

Blind-Spot Accidents

Blind-spot accidents occur when a driver fails to see another vehicle or object in their blind spot—an area not visible through their rearview or side mirrors—leading to a collision. They often happen during lane changes and merges. Common Causes: Driver inattention, failure to check mirrors, poor visibility due to weather or vehicle design, or speeding. Common Injuries: Whiplash, broken bones, and head injuries.

Merging Accidents

Merging accidents occur when one vehicle moves into the same lane as another, typically when merging onto a highway, changing lanes, or entering an intersection. Common Causes: Driver inattention, failure to signal, improper judgment of speed or distance, or lack of awareness of surrounding traffic. Common Injuries: Whiplash, broken bones, and head injuries.