Every year, approximately six million car accidents take place throughout the United States. With this many car crashes happening annually, there’s a possibility that you or someone you love could end up involved in one at some point. Because of this, it’s helpful to have access to information about the different types of car accidents and how they can affect you.

Read on to learn more about some of the most common car accident types and their causes. You’ll also find some information to guide you in the event that you’re in an accident yourself.

Types of Car Accidents

It likely doesn’t come as a surprise that there is more than one kind of car accident that a person can be involved in. Listed below are some of the most well-known types that you ought to know about:

Rollover

A rollover is a very complex car accident. This type of accident is responsible for a lot of car accident injuries and even car accident-related deaths.

There are many factors that contribute to a rollover. This includes the driver’s behavior, the vehicle type, and the environment in which the person is driving (Is it snowing/raining? Are the roads slippery?). Speed, location, and alcohol consumption also add to the likelihood that someone will be involved in a rollover accident.

Single-Car Accident

As the name suggests, a single-car accident involves just one vehicle. Rollovers are one of the most common types of single-car accidents. Run-off-road collisions, collisions with animals, and collisions with fallen debris are also examples of single-car accidents.

In most cases, if you’re involved in this kind of accident, you will be considered at-fault. There are some exceptions, though. For example, if another driver caused the accident (you had to swerve to get away from them) or if the accident is the result of a faulty car part, you might not be held liable.

Rear-End Collision

A rear-end collision occurs when another driver crashes into the rear end of the car. Most of the time, rear-end collisions occur because the at-fault driver is distracted or not paying attention to the road.

The accidents can also be the result of tail-gating or a lack of traction on the road. They could happen because the driver in front stops suddenly, too, and doesn’t give the person behind them a sufficient amount of time to hit their brakes.

Side-Impact Collision

This type of accident is sometimes referred to as a broadside collision or a T-bone collision. It occurs when the side of the vehicle is hit by another vehicle.

Most side-impact collisions take place at intersections or in parking lots. They can also happen when two vehicles are passing on a roadway.

The severity of a side-impact collision depends on a lot of factors. This includes the location where the car was struck, as well as the speed of the vehicle.

Head-On Collision

Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles crash into each other coming from opposite directions. The result is that the front ends of the cars collide.

This kind of accident can often be fatal. It can result from many factors, but a lack of awareness of traffic signals is the most common. Things like street conditions and the speed of the cars also play a role in whether or not this accident results in death.

Sideswipe Collision

When the sides of two vehicles collide while the cars are both moving in the same direction, it’s known as a sideswipe collision. It can happen if two cars are two close to each other on the road, or if one driver makes a sudden lane change without checking first to make sure the lane is clear.

What to Do if You’re in a Car Accident

No matter what kind of accident you’re involved in, it’s normal to feel disoriented and unsure of what to do afterward. That’s why it helps to have a plan in place before the accident ever happens.

Here are some steps you should take after being in a car accident to keep yourself safe and ensure you don’t do anything that could make it harder for you to get a car accident settlement:

• Always stop: It’s never a good idea to drive away from the scene of an accident, even it’s a minor one
• Protect the scene: Turn on your hazard lights, especially if it’s dark, to keep other drivers away from the scene (this also makes it easier for police or medical services to find you
• Call the police: Even if the damage isn’t serious or if no one’s injured, you will likely need a police report for your insurance provider
• Take pictures: Get pictures of the scene, the damage to your car, and any injuries you may have experienced
• Exchange information: Give the other driver(s) your contact and insurance information, and their details as well
• Report the accident: Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and let them know about the accident
• Seek medical attention: If you’re injured, or if you suspect that you may have an injury, get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible

It’s important to keep a file of everything related to your accident, too. Keep your accident report, documents from your doctor, documents from your insurance provider, and other relevant information in a binder or folder so you can easily access it.

Want to Learn More About Handling Car Accidents?

As you can see, there are many different types of car accidents that you or your loved ones can find yourselves involved in. The more you know about these accidents, the causes of car accidents, and how to handle them, the more prepared you’ll be should you ever find yourself in this unpleasant situation.

Keep the information discussed above in mind as you move forward. That way, you’re armed with the most important car accident knowledge. If you want to learn more, check out this blog post next to learn what you should do after getting hurt in a car accident.