Common Types of Car Accidents
Careless, reckless, and negligent drivers all share the same bad habits. They speed, follow the car in front too closely, and fail to pay attention to what is going on around them. As a result, they tend to cause the same kinds of crashes. According to auto insurers and appraisers, the following types of crashes are the most common across the country:
- Low-speed contact. Typically happening in parking lots at speeds under 10 miles per hour, these crashes fortunately don’t often cause extensive damage or serious injuries. However, if you were injured in a low-speed crash that was not your fault, the other driver is still liable, regardless of his speed.
- Rear-end collisions. When a driver is not paying attention or is following the car in front of him too closely, he can hit the car from behind. Rear-end crashes can cause significant injuries, including whiplash, back injury, and chest and facial injuries caused by airbag deployment. In these crashes, the driver in the rear is almost always at fault.
- Side-impact crashes. When a reckless driver ignores a traffic sign or signal or fails to judge a turn correctly, he can cause a side-impact, or t-bone, crash. These collisions can be fatal to the driver who is hit on the side. Speeding, intoxication, and distraction often play a role in these kinds of crashes.
- Single-vehicle crashes. It may be surprising to learn that most high-speed accidents only involve one car. Hitting a guardrail or running off the road and hitting a tree are common results of speeding or drunk driving. If you are the passenger in a car in this kind of accident, you can hold the driver responsible for your injuries.
The Importance of Collecting Evidence After a Car Accident
There are some steps you can take. However, that will help you make a strong argument for maximum compensation. The first thing to realize is that you can only collect as much as the at-fault driver’s policy is worth. You'll also want to do the following:
- Collect evidence. Taking pictures at the scene of the crash and collecting contact information for witnesses, if you are physically able to do so, is the first step in building a strong claim.
- Get medical treatment. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured right after the crash, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Be sure to tell her about the accident and ask for a full assessment of your injuries.
- Call a personal injury attorney. Talking to a car accident attorney in a free consultation is the best way to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your legal rights and build the strongest possible claim. If you decide your claim can benefit from legal guidance, your attorney will take over, and you can focus on your physical recovery. Best of all, you won’t have to pay the attorney until he successfully resolves your case.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today to Get Started
The law office of Keller & Keller has been helping injured people for more than 75 years. We know how to earn results for injured people and their families. Submit a confidential contact form via our website or call 1-800-253-5537 for a free consultation. We serve the communities of Indiana, New Mexico, and Michigan, with offices located in Indianapolis, South Bend, Albuquerque, and St. Joseph.