Millions of motor vehicle accidents happen every year. However, not all accidents have the same effects. Some accidents are mere fender benders that only cause property damage. Others may lead to some minor scrapes and bruises. However, some accidents lead to fatalities or serious, life-altering injuries. The car accident lawyers from Steelman Gaunt Crowley help accident victims injured in various types of car accidents. If you would like assistance with your car accident case, consider contacting us for a free consultation by calling (573) 341-8336.
What Is the Deadliest Type of Car Crash?
Not all deadly vehicle accidents involve a collision. Notably, the Insurance Information Institute reports that 7,640 people died in rollover accidents in 2021. Rollover accidents may occur as the secondary effect of an initial collision, but can also be the result of a driver losing control of their vehicle prior to any impact, often due to hazardous conditions, such as slippery road surfaces. Rollover accidents are therefore sometimes single-vehicle accidents, but they can also be precipitated when a driver swerves to avoid colliding with an oncoming vehicle. The deadliest type of car crash involving more than one vehicle is an angled collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines this type of collision as any collision that is not any of the following:
- Head-on
- Rear-end
- Rear-to-rear
- Sideswipe
What Are the Most Common Types of Fatal Accidents?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 46,980 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2021. These deaths occurred in the following types of car accidents:
Angled Collisions
Angled collisions were associated with the death of 9,000 motorists in 2021. This number accounted for 44.8% of the total traffic fatalities that year.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another vehicle that is traveling in the opposite direction, according to the NHTSA. The NSC reports that 5,900 deaths, or 29.4%, of the total number of traffic fatalities in 2021 were in head-on collisions.
Crashes With Fixed Objects
While it can be easy to assume that car crashes with other vehicles will be more dangerous than any other kind, single-vehicle accidents also present substantial risks. The NSC reports that crashes with fixed objects were responsible for 26% of the traffic fatalities in 2021.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. In 2021, rear-end collisions caused the death of 3,600 people in 2021, or 17.9% of that year’s traffic fatalities.
Sideswipe and Other Two-Vehicle Collisions
Another 8% of traffic fatalities in 2021, accounting for 1,600 deaths, occurred in sideswipe or other two-vehicle collisions. The NHTSA defines a sideswipe collision as one in which the sides of two vehicles make contact, but in which the engagement between vehicles is minimal.
Which Type of Car Crash Is Least Dangerous?
Of the types of collisions the NHTSA tracks, rear-end collisions resulted in the lowest number of traffic fatalities in 2021. Rear-end collisions often occur at slower speeds than most other types, which helps to explain why there are fewer deaths associated with this type of motor vehicle accident. However, rear-end collisions can still result in fatalities and serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Emotional injuries, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Various factors can affect the outcome of motor vehicle accidents, including:
- The angle of impact
- The speed each driver was traveling at the time of impact
- The types of vehicles involved in the crash
- The position the occupant was in at the time of the collision
- The vehicle’s safety equipment and effectiveness
- The occupant’s age, health, and pre-existing conditions
For many accident victims, there is no such thing as a minor accident. The impacts can be very real and life-altering. Motor vehicle accidents can result in hospitalization, serious injuries, an altered lifestyle, time away from work, and negative effects on personal relationships.
Connection Between Type of Car Accident and Liability
Being familiar with various types of car accidents can help people who have suffered injuries in one of these unfortunate events to better understand how a crash occurred and who might be responsible for it. Missouri is an at-fault state for car accidents. Therefore, the party who is responsible for the crash is financially responsible for compensating the accident victim for the harm the driver caused.
Some common types of car accidents and the factors that may have contributed to them include:
- Rear-end car accidents: Distracted driving, tailgating, inattentive driving
- Head-on collisions: Impaired driving, speeding, running red lights or stop signs
- Sideswipe collisions: Distracted driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving
- Rollover crashes: Impaired driving, vehicle defects, dangerous road design, defective car parts
- Crashes with fixed objects: Impaired driving, dangerous road design, defective car parts
A thorough investigation can help uncover the factors that contributed to the accident and who is responsible.
How To Prove the Cause of a Car Accident
An experienced car accident lawyer from Steelman Gaunt Crowley can discuss how a thorough investigation can help establish how a car accident occurred. An experienced car accident lawyer can work to gather important evidence to help establish liability. Here are some pieces of evidence we may be able to obtain and how it can help your claim:
- Accident report: When law enforcement responds to an accident scene, an officer typically prepares an accident report that can contain useful information, such as details about the other driver, where and when the crash occurred, and whether the other driver is cited for a traffic violation.
- Witness statements: Independent witness statements can often help establish how a crash occurred when the drivers have different accounts.
- Photos: Photos of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, and the conditions may help illuminate how the crash occurred.
- Videos: Video evidence of the crash may be available from traffic cameras, dash cams, or surveillance videos.
- Electronic data recorder information: Many modern-day vehicles store valuable electronic information, such as the vehicle speed, braking actions, and other details that can help put the pieces together.
- Cell phone records: A lawyer may be able to subpoena cell phone records if distracted driving is suspected in a crash.
- Property damage: The location of damage to vehicles and other property may help establish the point of impact, thereby demonstrating how the crash occurred.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Claim
If you have been injured, or a loved one has suffered injuries, in a motor vehicle accident, consider contacting a lawyer with experience in handling all types of car accidents. The car accident lawyers from Steelman Gaunt Crowley can review your legal rights and options with you during a free consultation. We can also provide important support throughout your claim so that you can focus on your health and recovery. You can reach us by calling (573) 341-8336.
