Five of the Most Common Auto Accidents

car accident victim sitting outside of carThere are many different types of car accidents that occur on our nation's roadways. Learning more about these accidents helps you know what you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in them. Below, our Sacramento car accident attorneys review five of the most common types of car accidents and offer tips on ways to help prevent these crashes from occurring.

Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee you will not be involved in a vehicle accident and possibly suffer a personal injury. If a collision occurs, it may be because of another driver's negligence, which may entitle you to compensation.

Our attorneys can review your situation in a free consultation to determine if you have a case. If you do, we are prepared to pursue the compensation you deserve.

1. Side-Impact Collisions

Side-impact collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another. Side-impact collisions accounted for 27 percent of all vehicle passenger deaths in the nation in 2009, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These collisions are particularly dangerous, because there is less space on the side of a vehicle to absorb the impact of the crash and help shield passengers.

A common type of side-impact collision is a T-bone crash: One vehicle perpendicularly impacts the side of another vehicle. This typically occurs when a car runs a stop light, then crashes into a car traveling through the intersection on a green light. 

Avoid side-impact collisions by always looking both ways for oncoming traffic even when you have the right of way. Don't automatically assume other vehicles will adhere to the rules of the road.

2. Crashes While Merging

This type of crash occurs when two lanes of traffic merge together and one car sideswipes another. These collisions are generally caused by drivers attempting to merge, because they fail to check their blind spots as they are changing lanes.

You can avoid these crashes by always turning your head to make sure any blind spots are clear before merging. You should also avoid speeding in areas where other cars will attempt to merge. If you speed, other cars will have less time to see you when they are attempting to merge.

3. Rear-End Accidents


Common situations where rear-end collisions occur are when a car has already stopped at the light and when the flow of traffic slows unexpectedly. Distracted drivers who are following too closely fail to notice the stopped or slowed traffic with enough time to react.

Prevent these crashes by keeping a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Avoid distractions when driving, particularly in high-traffic areas where a lot of cars are close to each other.

If you are being tailgated, attempt to change lanes when possible to reduce potential danger.

4. Head-On Crashes

Head-on crashes are extremely dangerous and often fatal. They usually occur at high speeds that make it difficult for the seat belt, airbag and other safety features of the car to absorb the impact enough to protect passengers from severe injuries.

While head-on collisions usually involve other cars, they can also involve animals, trees or other fixed obstacles, such as road signs. These crashes often involve wrong-way drivers and those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Avoid head-on collisions by obeying the rules of road and avoid any type of speeding or reckless driving. You should also avoid any type of driving distractions as they take your focus off the road and increase the potential for a crash.

5. Multi-Vehicle Collisions

Multi-vehicle collisions involve three or more cars and tend to occur on busy roads, freeways and highways. These accidents can be even more dangerous than head-on crashes, because cars may receive multiple impacts from multiple angles. Multiple impacts are difficult for any vehicle to absorb, no matter how large it is or how many safety features it has.

Multi-vehicle accidents can be difficult to avoid, as some victims are caught between two negligent drivers. Be alert and exercise caution on busy roads and highways where cars are traveling at high speeds. Keep an eye on the cars and drivers around you. If another driver seems distracted or is making dangerous maneuvers, try to move away from them to avoid being involved in an accident.

Contact Our Trusted Auto Accident Lawyers

The effects of a car accident injury can be severe and long-lasting, creating medical expenses and causing you to lose wages from missed time at work. These injuries can also cause physical pain and emotional suffering that makes it difficult to return to the way things were before the crash.

If you have reason to believe the accident is the result of another driver's negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for the damages you are experiencing. You should contact an attorney to discuss what happened so the attorney can determine if you can pursue compensation.

Our personal injury lawyers in Sacramento have recovered millions in compensation for victims of many types of car accidents. We are experienced in the legal process and know how to investigate a crash, build a case and negotiate fair compensation.

Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form today to schedule your free consultation.