Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can happen at any time. They may be the result of speeding, traffic gridlock, negligence, recklessness and/or unsafe driving. The severity of the injuries incurred depends on how these vehicles collide with one another. Here is a list of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents:

Rear-end collisions: These accidents are often caused by the sudden slowing down or braking of one vehicle in the front of another, or by a driver following a vehicle too closely or accelerating to a higher speed than the vehicle in front. Rear-end collision often result in whiplash, an injury caused by a severe jerk to the head.

Side-impact collisions: These types of accidents occur when the side of a vehicle is hit and impacted by the front or rear of another vehicle. They commonly occur at intersections and parking lots, and often cause injuries that are more severe than those  from other type of crashes.

Sideswipe collisions: These accidents occur when two cars are parallel to each other. Injuries and damages are quite minimal, unless one of the drivers loses control of the vehicle as a result of the collision.

Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents occur when vehicles literally flip over onto the side or roof. They are often caused by sharp turns at high speeds. Cars with a high center of gravity such as SUVs are especially prone to these types of accidents. They can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries and brain trauma.

Head-on collisions: These collisions occur when the front ends of two vehicles impact each other.

Single-car accidents: Accidents involving only one vehicle occur when a vehicle strikes an object such as a pole, a tree, a fire hydrant or a wall. These accidents can result in driver,  passenger and pedestrian injuries,  as well as extensive property damage.