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It's unfortunate that no matter how careful we are on the roads, motor vehicle collisions are inevitable. Each year, thousands of drivers find themselves involved in accidents, navigating a complex world of insurance claims, vehicle repairs, and sometimes, personal injury.
Understanding these accidents begins with understanding the different types of motor vehicle collisions. Let's explore these varied types of collisions.
Head-on collisions, also called frontal impacts, happen when the front ends of two cars hit each other. Even though they do not happen as often as other vehicular crashes, they tend to be one of the most lethal and often deadly. In a head-on collision, the force of contact is much stronger because both cars move toward each other.
Several things can make head-on accidents more dangerous and increase the chance of death. Distracted driving is a big reason for this. As more people use cell phones and other tech while driving, the chances of them getting sidetracked and moving into approaching traffic are also rising.
Getting behind the wheel while impaired or high is another big cause. Researchers have found that driving while impaired can make it much harder to adapt and make quick decisions while driving. This makes it much more likely that they will veer into oncoming traffic and hit it head-on.
A rear-end collision, also called a rear impact, is among the most common causes of car accidents. It happens when a car collides with another from behind. These mishaps are equally likely to occur at excessive speeds on highways or at lower speeds in congested urban settings. Back-end collisions can cause a lot of different kinds of injuries, from small ones like cuts and bruises to major ones like whiplash, fractures, and damage to the spinal cord.
Most rear-end accidents happen because the driver is not paying attention. One example is tailgating, when one vehicle follows too closely behind another, or when the driver's attention is diverted from the road. Most of the time, the car's driver behind the one in front of them is to blame because they did not leave enough room between their car and the one in front of them.
Weather can also play a role in rear-end accidents, especially where bad weather does not usually happen. Roads can become slippery in the rain, snow, or ice, which can increase the likelihood of rear-end accidents if drivers do not slow down.
A side-impact crash, also called a T-bone or broadside accident, is when one car hits another at a right angle. In these kinds of accidents, the sides of the cars do not have as much substance to withstand the impact, so it is more possible that people inside will get seriously hurt.
Failure to yield or stop at crossings is one main reason for side-impact accidents. This can occur when a driver is not paying attention, is drunk, or driving carelessly. A driver may also not pay attention to traffic lights or signs, which can also cause a side-impact accident.
Multiple vehicle crashes, also called pile-ups, are a type of car accident involving three or more cars. These kinds of events are very dangerous and can cause serious injuries and damage to property.
Accidents involving more than one car are more likely on freeways, highways, and other busy roads with many vehicles going fast. They are usually caused by one careless driver, speeding, sidetracking, or drunk driving.
But other cars on the road may also be to blame because they cannot stop quickly because of the fast speeds. When one car is in an accident, it may set off a chain reaction that hits other cars and makes them part of the accident. This can quickly become a pile-up, where an immobile collection of crumpled cars makes it hard to get away or help someone.
If you are a victim of a car accident in Western Pennsylvania, reach out to us at Porta-Clark & Ward for legal assistance in a personal injury claim.