Accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents kill more people each year than common medical conditions, such as strokes or diabetes. For some age groups, accidents are the leading cause of death.
However, while serious and fatal car collisions are common, no two crashes are the same. Each involves a distinct set of circumstances and unique people whose lives are ended or forever changed by the crash.
Different Types of Car Crashes That Can Result in Fatalities or Serious Injuries
There are many kinds of car accidents. Below, learn about some of the most common types of accidents that cause catastrophic injuries.
T-Bone Crashes
T-bone crashes, also known as broadside collisions, occur when the front of one car collides with the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These types of wrecks often occur when one car proceeds through an intersection without the right of way. Serious injuries and fatalities occur each year because of this type of crash.
Rear-End Accidents
In 2014, the most recent year for which complete statistics are available, rear-end crashes were the most common type of two-car collision in Kentucky. More than 29,000 rear-end crashes happened, and they accounted for 37.7% of all two-vehicle wrecks. Those crashes also accounted for just under 12% of all two-vehicle crash fatalities.
Rear-end collisions happen when one driver crashes into the back of another vehicle. Often, this type of accident happens when a driver:
- Follows another vehicle too closely, or “tailgates”
- Fails to recognize that the vehicle in front suddenly decelerated
- Fails to recognize that the vehicle in front has suddenly stopped because of traffic, something in the road, or another reason
- Accelerates too quickly at an intersection or stop sign
Rear-end collisions, even at a slow speed, can cause injuries.
Head-on Collisions
In 2014, head-on collisions accounted for just 1.4% of all two-vehicle accidents in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. However, this type of crash accounted for 27.5% of all two-vehicle collision fatalities. A head-on crash can occur when one vehicle crosses the center line or goes the wrong way on a divided highway. These types of wrecks often occur at relatively high speeds and result in serious injuries or deaths.
Left-Turn Crashes
Left-hand turns are one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can make on the road, considering that drivers have to assess the traffic flow and decide for themselves when it is safest to cross over. A crash that happens during a left-hand turn can result in severe injuries or fatalities. Often, a full investigation needs to be completed to determine which driver had the right of way and should have yielded to the other driver to prevent the collision.
Pedestrian Accidents
In recent years, the number of fatalities in pedestrian accidents has increased dramatically, both across the country and here at home in Kentucky. Poorly designed roads, distracted drivers, and an increase in pedestrians and drivers may all be contributing factors to this dangerous trend. Kentucky is taking action to prevent future pedestrian tragedies, but these steps are unlikely to prevent every collision.
Bicycle Collisions
In 2014, there were 462 collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles. While there is growing awareness of this problem, as well as efforts to prevent future crashes, bicyclists remain at significant risk on our roads. Bike crashes, like all accidents, require investigation to determine who was at fault. However, it is often the motorist who has the legal responsibility to avoid a bike wreck.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover wrecks may often be single-car crashes, but they are not always the fault of the driver. When a vehicle turns on its side or on its roof, it may be the result of road conditions or a stability problem with the vehicle itself. Rollover accidents are not the most common type of car crash, but they are often deadly. Passengers and drivers who are injured, or their surviving loved ones, should find out more about what caused the crash and what kind of recovery may be possible.
Back-up Crashes
Back-up or back-over crashes occur when a vehicle is in reverse. Pedestrians, riders, bicyclists, and other motorists are at risk of suffering a significant or fatal injury if the driver does not stop in time to prevent a collision. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to injuries in this type of crash, even if the collision occurs at a low speed, and drivers are often found at fault for the injuries sustained.
Car Fires
Almost a quarter million car fires occur in the United States each year, and they may result in serious injuries or fatalities for drivers and passengers. Car fires can occur due to a vehicle’s design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or a maintenance mistake. A fair recovery often requires a thorough investigation to determine who was at fault and why the fire started.
Car-and-Train Collisions
Each year, dozens of cars and railroad trains collide in Kentucky. These types of crashes can result in serious injuries or death for car’s driver and passengers. Each car-and-train collision requires a thorough investigation to determine if it was the train engineer, the train conductor, the manufacturer of a train part, or another party that caused the crash and resulting injuries.
You May Be Able to Pursue Justice and Recover Damages
If you’ve been hurt or your loved one has been killed in an accident that was caused by another motorist, a car manufacturer, a car mechanic, or someone else, then you may be able to recover damages for your injuries.
Our experienced Louisville car accident lawyers spare no expense in conducting thorough investigations into the cause of each of our client’s accident. We provide individual attention to each of our clients, and we fight hard to get them the fair financial recoveries that they deserve.
If you would like to learn more about your own potential claim, then we invite you to start a live chat with us or call us any time—24/7/365—for more information.
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