Hundreds of thousands of accidents occur annually in Indiana, many resulting in severe or even fatal injuries.
If you suffered from a crash another driver caused, you can file a claim with their insurance company to recover compensation for vehicle damages, medical bills, and other losses. For legal assistance after a car accident in Indianapolis, contact the attorneys at Crossen Law Firm.
Driver error is the most common cause of traffic accidents. Indiana drivers can reduce the likelihood of causing devastating crashes by being aware of common accidents and their contributing factors. In this blog, you’ll learn about the most common types of car accidents that may result in minor, severe, or even fatal injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that rear-end collisions are the most common type of traffic accident in the United States, accounting for 29% of all car accidents. Further, rear-end collisions resulted in 595,000 injuries and 2,363 deaths in 2019 alone.
Rear-end collisions usually occur when a following driver fails to stop, resulting in them colliding with a leading vehicle. While these accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, they’re most common during heavy traffic, and many occur at intersections and stop signs.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe collisions occur when a motorist hits the side of another vehicle, and they often happen when two cars travel at similar speeds in adjacent lanes. Some factors that may contribute to sideswipe accidents include distracted driving, changing lanes without checking a blind spot, and failing to yield the right of way. Driving while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also cause these accidents, as driving while tired or impaired may cause a driver to drift into an adjacent lane of traffic.
Additionally, a driver can sideswipe a parked vehicle. This may occur if a driver navigates narrow streets, parking lots, or residential areas. Unless the owner of the stationary vehicle parked illegally, the sideswiping driver will be liable for the parked car’s damage.
Sideswipe accidents can result in significant damage, ranging from minor scrapes and dents to more severe structural damage. When sideswipe accidents involve two moving vehicles, the collision may cause one or both drivers to lose control and collide with other objects or cars, leading to further property damage and injuries.
T-Bone Crashes
T-bone crashes, also known as side-impact or broadside collisions, happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another at a perpendicular angle, forming a T-shape.
Common causes of T-bone crashes include drivers running stop signs, speeding, driving while distracted or impaired, and failing to yield to oncoming traffic. Additionally, many car crashes at intersections are T-bone accidents. A driver who fails to follow traffic signals may enter an intersection against the flow of cross traffic, potentially causing a serious T-bone collision.
These crashes can be particularly dangerous because the sides of a vehicle usually don’t provide drivers and passengers with sufficient protection, including crumple zone protection. Additionally, most vehicles don’t offer side airbag protection, leaving occupants more vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
While many of the most common types of car accidents involve multiple vehicles, single-vehicle accidents also frequently occur. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that 52% of all fatal accidents in 2021 were single-vehicle accidents.
Single-vehicle accidents usually happen because drivers collide with objects, such as curbs, trees, guard rails, and poles. Further, a motorist may drive into a ditch or embankment or even drive off a cliff.
Some factors that may cause or contribute to these accidents include driver error, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, or road hazards. There are also situations in which another party may be liable. For example, if a motorist quickly maneuvers to avoid a jaywalker, they may crash into a pole or another object. In this situation, the walker may be found at fault for the single-vehicle accident.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are common and among the most severe and dangerous accidents. The Insurance Information Institute stated that around 10.2% of all fatal car accidents in the United States are head-on collisions.
When the front of two vehicles collide, they combine their forces of impact, resulting in a significant transfer of energy that can cause extensive vehicle damage and serious or fatal injuries. The greater the speed of the two vehicles, the higher the likelihood of a fatal accident.
Head-on collisions can occur due to various factors, including driver error and adverse road conditions. A driver may mistakenly drift into oncoming traffic and cause a devastating head-on collision if they drive while distracted, impaired, or fatigued.
Injured in a Collision? Contact an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered from a collision caused by a negligent driver, you can file a claim with their insurance company to recover damages. While you don’t need an attorney to file a claim, a competent lawyer will greatly increase your likelihood of recouping fair compensation for your vehicle damages and personal injuries.
For expert car accident attorneys in Indianapolis, contact the Crossen Law Firm legal team. Depending on your case, we can help you recover losses for property damages, past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and more. Contact our legal team today online or by calling 317-401-8626.
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