Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a devastating rear-end collision to T-bone crashes, there are many different types of auto accidents that occur on the road. From minor incidents to life-changing wrecks, each type of car accident involves different factors that set it in motion. Reckless driving, distracted driving, alcohol consumption, driving while tired, or simply bad timing can all lead to collisions. In cases where a vehicle strikes another at high speed, the risk of severe injuries or even catastrophic injuries increases significantly.
Common accidents include rear end collisions, which often result from sudden stops or failure to maintain a safe distance, and T-bone crashes, which are frequently caused by a driver running a red light or failing to yield. These accidents can leave victims with long-lasting injuries and financial burdens.
In serious cases, consulting an experienced car accident attorney can make a crucial difference in securing compensation for medical expenses and other damages. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different types of auto accidents, their common causes, and the injuries you should watch for to stay informed and protected.
Texas car accident statistics
As a state with a population of more than 30 million people, it’s no surprise that Texas has some of the highest car accident rates in the country. Information from the Texas Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts Calendar reveals some frightening statistics about the state of our road safety. We’ve pulled some of the most interesting facts from the sheet below:
- The fatality rate on Texas roadways for 2021 was 1.56 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled. This is a 4.17% increase from 2020.
- There were 15,764 serious injury crashes in Texas in 2021 with 19,448 people sustaining a serious injury.
- Single vehicle, run-off the road crashes resulted in 1,550 deaths in 2021. This was 34.53% of all motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2021.
- There were 613 people killed in head-on crashes in 2021.
- 239,539 persons were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021.
As you can see, certain types of crashes led to more fatalities and injuries than others. We’ll expand on the types of car accidents below, explaining how they occur and common injuries that can be sustained.
Rear-end accidents
A rear-end accident, also known as a rear-end collision, is a type of car accident where one vehicle hits another vehicle from behind. In most cases, the vehicle that strikes the other vehicle from behind is considered to be at fault, as drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance and be prepared to stop in case the vehicle in front of them slows down or stops suddenly.
Rear-end accidents can occur in various situations, such as when a driver is distracted and fails to notice the vehicle in front has slowed down or stopped, when a driver is tailgating, or when road conditions are poor, such as during heavy rain, snow or ice.
Although rear-end accidents are often considered minor, they can still result in injuries ranging from whiplash to more serious injuries, especially at higher speeds or in situations where one vehicle is significantly larger than the other.
Head-on collisions
A head-on collision is a type of car accident that occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with each other, with their front ends directly hitting each other. Head-on collisions are often among the most severe and deadly types of car accidents, as the forces involved can be immense and the impact can cause significant damage to both vehicles and their occupants.
Head-on collisions can occur in various situations, such as when a driver crosses the centerline of the road, drives the wrong way on a one-way street, or enters a highway or freeway in the wrong direction. Head-on collisions can also occur on narrow roads with limited visibility or on curves, especially when drivers are traveling too fast or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Due to the high speeds and forces involved, head-on collisions can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal injuries and death.
Sideswipe accidents
A sideswipe accident, also known as a broadside collision, is a type of car accident where the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. Sideswipe accidents can occur when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction and one vehicle drifts into the other lane, or when two vehicles are passing each other in opposite directions and the sides of the vehicles make contact.
Sideswipe accidents can be minor or major, depending on the speed and force of the impact. In some cases, sideswipe accidents can lead to the vehicles spinning out of control, rolling over or colliding with other objects or vehicles on the road.
Sideswipe accidents can also be caused by various factors, such as distracted driving, driver fatigue, speeding, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Side-impact collisions (or T-Bone accidents)
A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact collision, is a type of car accident where the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle, forming a T-shape. T-bone accidents typically occur at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield or runs a red light, causing it to collide with a vehicle traveling through the intersection.
T-bone accidents can be very dangerous, especially if they occur at high speeds or involve larger vehicles, such as trucks or SUVs. The occupants of the vehicle struck on the side are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries, such as head trauma, broken bones, spinal cord injuries and internal injuries. The severity of T-bone accidents can be mitigated by safety features such as side airbags, crumple zones and reinforced door beams.
Vehicle rollover accidents
A vehicle rollover accident is a type of single car accident where a vehicle rolls over onto its side or roof. Rollover accidents can occur when a vehicle is traveling at high speeds, making sharp turns, or when a collision with another vehicle or object causes the vehicle to lose control and roll over.
Rollover accidents can be very dangerous and often result in serious injuries or fatalities, especially when occupants are not wearing seat belts. The force of the impact can cause occupants to be thrown around inside the vehicle or ejected from the vehicle, increasing the risk of head trauma, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries.
Rollover accidents are more likely to occur in certain types of vehicles, such as SUVs, vans, and trucks, due to their higher center of gravity. However, rollover accidents can happen to any vehicle under certain circumstances.
Single vehicle accidents
A single vehicle accident is a type of car accident where only one vehicle is involved in the collision. Single vehicle accidents can happen for many reasons, such as driver error, mechanical failure or road conditions.
Examples of single vehicle accidents include running off the road, hitting a tree or utility pole, rolling over, or even colliding with a fixed object like a guardrail or barrier. Single vehicle accidents can be caused by factors such as distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fatigue or inexperience.
Single vehicle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. The severity of the accident depends on the speed and force of the impact and whether the occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts or not.
Multi-car collisions
A multi-car collision, also known as a pile-up or a chain reaction accident, is a type of car accident where three or more vehicles are involved in a collision. Multi-car collisions happen for a whole host of reasons like poor weather conditions, driver error or road conditions.
Multi-car collisions often start with a single collision between two vehicles, which can then cause other vehicles to collide in a chain reaction. As a result, multi-car collisions can be very dangerous and result in serious injuries or fatalities, especially when they occur at high speeds or involve larger vehicles, such as trucks or buses.
The severity of a multi-car collision can vary depending on the number of vehicles involved, the speed and force of the impact, plus the type of vehicles involved. In some cases, multi-car collisions can cause pile-ups of several vehicles, making it difficult for emergency services to access the scene and for injured individuals to receive prompt or seek medical attention immediately.
The best car accident lawyers in Texas
No matter what type of car accident you’ve been involved in, you deserve support to receive fair compensation. At Angel Reyes & Associates, we have more than 30 years of experience dealing with car accident lawsuits of all shapes, sizes and degrees of severity.
Our car accident lawyers Texas team of expertly trained car accident lawyers specializes in all things Texas road rules, meaning we have an unparalleled level of knowledge across all types of car accidents. Whether you were in a minor incident or have lost a loved one, we will fight to get you everything you are rightfully owed after a car crash. To discuss your options, contact us today for a free consultation.