The Most Dangerous Types of Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Posted in Car Accident on September 5, 2018

Every time you get behind the wheel of your vehicle and head out onto a roadway in Nashville or Middle Tennessee, there’s a chance you’ll be involved in an auto accident. Car crashes accounted for 40,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2017 and significantly more victims were injured.

Driving is unavoidable for most of us, and experts say that almost all drivers and passengers will be involved in at least one or two accidents during their lifetimes. While that statistic can seem scary, most accidents don’t involve severe injuries or property damage. However, it’s important to drive defensively and to assume that any traffic law violation could result in a serious car crash.

At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys are here to help anyone who was hurt in a crash that wasn’t their fault. We know that accident-related injuries can be debilitating and expensive, and many victims are unable to pay for their medical bills due to being disabled and unable to work. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online contact form.

The Four Deadliest Car Accidents

Although all types of car accidents can cause drivers and passengers to suffer potentially life-threatening injuries, not all crashes are equal when it comes to the dangers they pose to motorists. Research shows that the following four types of crashes pose more risks to vehicle occupants than other types of accidents:

• Head-on collisions—Head-on collisions are extremely dangerous due to the forces and impact zones involved in them. Because head-on crashes generally involve two vehicles moving at the same time, the speeds of both vehicles are amplified at the time of impact. In addition, the impacts of head-on collisions are often centered directly in front of drivers and passengers, putting them at extreme risk of injuries.

  Tips for avoiding head-on collisions—Thankfully, reducing the risk of being involved in a head-on collision involves just a few simple steps. First, always be on the lookout for one-way street signs or Do Not Enter signs near highways and interstates. Second, never pass vehicles on roads where it’s forbidden or where visibility is reduced. Finally, keep your eyes and mind on the road at all times. Distracted driving is a major risk factor for head-on collisions, as it can result in vehicles crossing the center or median and facing oncoming traffic.

• Rollover crashes—Despite their overall rarity, rollover crashes are also deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that only around two percent of all car accidents involve rollovers in the U.S., but they account for around 35 percent of all auto crash-related deaths. That’s because victims in rollover crashes are at high risk of being ejected from their vehicles. People who are ejected from cars, trucks, or SUVs during accidents are 25 times more likely to die than people who remain inside their vehicles.

  Tips for avoiding rollover crashes—Rollover accidents often involve a single vehicle and frequently occur on straight rural roads and highways. However, they can occur at any time, especially when drivers are distracted or lose control of their vehicles. Experts recommend reducing your speed when navigating turns, being more cautious when roads are slick, keeping your tires properly inflated, and never getting behind the wheel while sleepy. In addition, wearing your seat belt is a significant factor in reducing the risk of death if you’re ever involved in a rollover accident.

• Side-impact crashes—Also known as T-bone accidents, side-impact crashes account for around one-quarter of all auto accident deaths in the U.S. These accidents often occur at intersections, especially when drivers run red lights or fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs. Side-impact accidents are especially dangerous for vehicle occupants on the side that is struck. Although more vehicles are equipped with side-impact airbags, serious injuries and fatalities are still a significant concern for occupants of vehicles that are struck on their sides.

  Tips for avoiding side-impact crashes—The best way to reduce the risks of being involved in a side-impact crash is to always obey traffic lights, stop signs, and yield signs. Never attempt to “beat” a red light after the light has turned yellow, and always come to a complete stop and look both ways before entering an intersection with a stop sign. In addition, be careful before entering an intersection even when you have a green light or the right of way, especially if visibility is limited.

• Single-vehicle accidents—Accidents involving a single car, truck, or SUV often involve drivers losing control of their vehicles or running off the road and striking stationary objects—often a tree, utility pole, or building. In 2015, single-vehicle crashes accounted for 55 percent of automobile deaths in the U.S. Research by the NHTSA shows that the number of single-vehicle crashes remains the same across both rural and urban roads. Victims of single-vehicle accidents can include both drivers and passengers, as well as pedestrians and even people inside buildings if they’re involved.

  Tips for avoiding single-vehicle accidents—Although single-vehicle crashes can be and often are caused by road defects, vehicle defects, or inclement weather, most are caused by driver error. That means things like distracted driving, driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs, speeding, or driving while fatigued are all significant risk factors for single-vehicle accidents. It’s important to always follow traffic laws when you’re driving—even if no other vehicles are near you.

Other common and potentially deadly car accident types include rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle collisions. The severity of accidents increases when there’s a mismatch in vehicle sizes. For example, drivers in a small coupe or hatchback may be more at risk of suffering serious injuries when they’re struck by a large SUV or pickup truck, while drivers of all passenger vehicles face significant dangers when they’re involved in crashes with semi-trucks or other industrial and commercial vehicles.

We Can Maximize Your Chances of Obtaining Full Compensation

After a crash that wasn’t your fault, it’s important to have a law firm on your side that understands what you’re going through and what you need to move forward with your life. The insurance company may offer you a lowball settlement offer in the days or weeks after your crash, but it’s unlikely to fully compensate you for your medical bills and lost wages.

That’s where we come in. We know how much crashes can cost victims, and we know how to negotiate with insurance companies to help victims get fair settlements. Don’t accept what the insurance company offers without talking to a lawyer first. Call us today and let us put our 30 years of experience to work for you and your loved ones.