Types of Car Accidents

Over 400,00 car accidents occur in Texas each year, more than 6 million in the United States, and a frankly incalculable number occur globally, resulting in 1.3 million deaths and 20-50 million injuries around the world each year. With these numbers, it seems like every possible type of motor vehicle crash must have occurred, even ones that seem absurdly implausible. Despite the vast quantity of accidents, the vehicle involvement, cause, and type of impact that occur will generally fall into one of several categories discussed below.  

To avoid any of these types of crashes, it is important to drive defensively with your full attention on the task of operating the vehicle and to avoid any substances or habits that can impair your sensory capabilities. If everyone took these steps, we would have far fewer crashes, injuries, and fatalities each year. If you have had the misfortune of suffering a serious car accident, know that help is available to you. A quick call (15 minutes or less) to an experienced accident attorney in San Antonio or Dallas-Fort Worth can be tremendously helpful in getting you and your loved ones on the path to recovery, well-deserved compensation, and peace of mind.  

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Car Accident Categories 

Vehicle Involvement 

All vehicular collisions fall into one of the two below categories. From there they can be more specifically categorized by their impact, trajectory, and causes. 

• Single Vehicle: One vehicle going off the road or colliding with debris or stationary objects, resulting in damage or injury. 
• Multi Vehicle: One or more vehicles colliding with one or more vehicles or objects. Multi vehicle crashes are the deadliest forms of automobile crashes.   

Types of Impact in the Collision: 

• Rear End: When the front end of one vehicle makes contact with the back end of another. Multiple rear end collisions can be called a pileup. One cause in large trucks is due to the weight of a trailer and cargo. Heavy trucks are much harder to stop than cars, SUVs, or other standard vehicles, velocity keeps them moving faster for longer.  
• Broadside: Also called a T-bone collision, one automobile collides with the side panel of another creating a “T” shape. Common accident at intersections where traffic is meeting from different directions. 
• Sideswipe: A collision where two vehicles pass each other two closely, resulting in contact with the sides of the vehicles. This type of impact can occur when large trucks that require wide turns miscalculate and scrape a neighboring vehicle. 
• Rollover: A crash where one vehicle flips upside down one or more times. Since the requirement for anti-lock brakes went into effect, rollovers have surpassed jackknifing as the most dangerous accidents for 18 wheelers.    
• Head On: A crash where two vehicles experience impact on their front ends. Often due to fatigue or drowsiness resulting in one driver wandering out of their lane. Also possible on narrow or curvy roads with poor sightlines.  
• Jackknife: Most common in semi-trailers, but possible for other vehicles transporting an attachment on a trailer hitch. When the (rear) wheels lock up and the trailer swings to create a sharp angle with the truck. This type of accident always results in spin-out, loss of control of the vehicle, and usually multiple lanes of traffic are impacted. 

These accidents may be defined by different types of impact, but they share many of the same causes. Drunk driving or driving under the influence of other substances is the number one cause of fatalities. Drowsy driving and distracted driving (texting, eating, adjusting the radio) are increasing contributors to serious injury. Speeding, improper lane change and other driving technique errors are also very significant factors.

These human error related causes come before other dangers out of anyone’s control: bad weather, icy roads, and other unexpected environmental circumstances can also contribute to dangerous conditions. Driving is a risky activity, and it is imperative that all drivers remain focused and alert while operating a vehicle to avoid any of these frightening crashes. 

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After Accident Essentials

What You Should Do Immediately Following the Collision

• If there are serious injuries at the scene, call 911 for emergency medical help. Emergency professionals such as EMS, police and firefighters will direct the next steps to take care of people and property. 
• Recording the events of the accident is extremely important. Arming your Thompson Law team with the best information possible as they represent you in your claim will result in the best case possible and highest compensation. Take pictures, take down identification like drivers license information, license plates, insurance information, and witness contacts, and coordinate with emergency responders to make sure reports are generated.
• Do not make a statement to any representatives from insurance companies or the companies associated with any fleet vehicles.  
• Do not apologize to anyone involved in the crash, because even as a figure of speech this can be construed as an admission of guilt.  
• Leave the scene carefully by instruction of the emergency professionals.  
• Call an Experienced Car Accident Attorney as Soon as You Safely Can. Thompson Law will provide assistance and legal guidance. By managing your claim, gathering all aspects of your medical and property damages, supporting you through the negotiations process with at-fault parties, and more, we relieve you of the burden of these tasks, so you can focus on your healing and recovery.  

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The Thompson Law Difference

If you have been hurt in a car, truck, 18 wheeler, or hit in another motor vehicle accident, the time to contact your trusted injury attorney, Thompson Law, is right now. The stakes are simply too high after a serious accident not to protect your interests. Medical and car repair bills, lost time and work, and the stress to your personal and family life are all serious considerations, and difficult to navigate.

When you work with an experienced and compassionate firm like Thompson Law, you can rest easy knowing that you will get the medical care you need, the compensation you deserve, and the peace of mind you need after a frightening wreck. Your dedicated Lion Law team will guide you through the process of seeking treatment, protect your interests in negotiations with at-fault parties, and go to battle for the compensation you deserve.  

Don’t be afraid to stand up to the big insurance companies. After any serious car wreck, you need an expert advocate and a tenacious attorney to have your back. Ryan “The Lion” Thompson is the accident lawyer you need. Call the 4’s lawyer for a free consultation today at 214-444-4444 in Dallas, 817-444-4444 in Fort Worth, 972-444-4444 in North Dallas, 469-444-4444 in the DFW Mid-Cities, or toll free at 1-800-LION-LAW (1-800-546-6529) anywhere in the United States. Call The Fours!

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