Car accidents are one of the top causes of death in the United States, with an estimated 42,915 deaths in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While all crashes have the potential to be deadly, some types of vehicle collisions are more dangerous than others. Understanding the most dangerous types of accidents can help you incorporate defensive driving techniques to better protect yourself and your passengers.
Some of the most dangerous types of vehicle collisions are:
HEAD-ON COLLISIONS
The deadliest type of car accident is a head-on collision. Although they are far less common than other crashes, they represent about a quarter of all multi-vehicle fatality accidents. Head-on collisions involve a vehicle hitting the front of another traveling in the opposite direction. These crashes consider both vehicles’ speeds at the time of impact, meaning even an accident at a lower speed can be catastrophic. They are nearly always caused by one driver’s negligence due to drunk, distracted, or drowsy driving.
T-BONE & SIDE IMPACT COLLISIONS
The second deadliest type of crash is a side impact collision, also known as a broad-side or t-bone accident. These incidents occur when one vehicle slams frontwards into the side of another. They are particularly dangerous because the side of an automobile is not as protected from damage as the front or rear, and one car may hit the other just feet away from the driver or passengers. Side impact crashes commonly happen in parking lots, intersections, or when two vehicles pass one another on a multi-lane road.
READ-END ACCIDENTS
Rear-end accidents are the most common type of car crash. This type of collision occurs when the front of one car hits the rear of another. While they may not seem dangerous at the time, even a seemingly minor accident can cause serious long-term injuries that present themselves days or even weeks later. The majority of rear-end collisions are caused by distracted driving, often during rush hour traffic.
MULTI-VEHICLE PILE-UPS
Most car accidents typically involve only two vehicles, but when they occur on a busy road, they become fatal. Vehicle collisions are dangerous to other vehicles in the same traffic lane because they begin as auto accidents involving two cars and end up with a line of potentially fatal crashes known as a multiple vehicle pile-up. Two situations usually lead to pile-ups: congested traffic and poor weather conditions.
OFF-THE-ROAD COLLISIONS
Off-road collisions are one of the most treacherous car crashes for singular vehicles. Also known as runoff road collisions or roadway departures, these accidents occur when a car leaves the roadway and strikes a fixed object, such as a concrete barrier or light pole. These incidents happen due to vehicle over-corrections, inclement weather, and distracted, drunk, or drowsy driving.
SEEK AN EXPERIENCED TUCSON CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in one of these dangerous types of vehicle collision, you should call an experienced personal injury attorney. Our team at Grabb & Durando has represented Tucson accident victims for over 25 years, with a success rate of over 98%. We will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
