What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Texas?

If you or your loved one were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Every car crash is unique, but there are common types of car accident claims that San Antonio personal injury lawyers handle more frequently.

The type of accident you were involved in matters because it can affect the value of your claim and even help establish who was at fault for the wreck. With this knowledge, you can understand the claim process better and be prepared to weigh the legal risks and options available.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions occur when two cars crash at their front ends. The accidents are the most dangerous among all car accident types but also less common. The strength of the impact significantly increases in head-on collisions as the forces of the moving cars combine.

Head-on collisions are often caused by speeding, driver fatigue, and inattention on the road. They can also happen when distracted and drunk drivers swerve into oncoming traffic. Injuries sustained in head-on collision include but are not limited to:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Death

Rear-End Collisions

San Antonio auto accident lawyers commonly deal with rear-end accident cases. Such accidents happen when a driver follows too closely and fails to maintain a safe driving distance between the cars, resulting in a collision if the traffic ahead stops suddenly. The rear driver lacks time and space to brake to avoid the collision.

Injuries from rear-end collisions include:

  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injuries

Drowsy, impaired, and distracted driving are the most common causes of rear-end accidents. However, the rear driver isn’t always at fault. It could be that the front driver stopped suddenly or reversed without reason in active traffic, causing the collision. Skilled auto accident lawyers in San Antonio can investigate the case to determine liability and help you pursue compensation.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents happen when a vehicle directly collides with another from the side, causing a “T” shape, hence the name. The common causes of T-bone accidents are failure by a driver to yield, disregard of traffic signs, making an illegal U-turn, blind spots, or not exercising caution in bad weather.

Side-impact collisions are dangerous for car occupants because cars have less mass on the sides to absorb the impact than the front and rear ends. Traumatic brain injuries, neck and back pain, and trauma to the abdominal and pelvic areas are the most common injuries victims sustain in T-bone accidents.

Sideswipe Collisions

Sideswipe accidents happen when two parallel cars traveling in the same direction collide, swiping each other’s sides. It occurs when one driver tries to change lanes but accidentally or carelessly drifts into another lane because of being intoxicated or distracted.

Most sideswipe accidents result in minor cosmetic damage to the cars. Nonetheless, they can be severe when the vehicles are at high speed. The force of impact in such a situation can be strong enough to push one car into a guardrail, another vehicle, or a tree.

Blind Spot Accidents

Blind spot collisions happen when cars are merging into traffic or changing lanes. The driver doesn’t check blind spots for oncoming vehicles. All vehicles have blind spots, but commercial trucks have the largest blind spots and are the common causes of this type of accident.

Getting into an accident with a truck can have devastating consequences. The injuries can be severe, sometimes leading to permanent disability and death. Skilled auto accident lawyers in San Antonio pursue a claim for personal injury or wrongful death claim on your behalf and fight for the maximum settlement you deserve for the damages.

Single-Car Crashes

Crashes involving only one car are considered single-car collisions. They happen when a vehicle crashes into a fixed object, such as a light pole, guardrail, or tree. Common causes of single-car accidents are road defects, poor weather conditions, or driver negligence. The accidents often cause property damage, but bodily injuries can also happen.

Multi-Car Collisions and Pile-Ups

When three or more cars collide in an accident, the injuries can be catastrophic. The accidents occur from a chain reaction and may cause a pile up into the accident because oncoming cars cannot stop in time to avoid crashing into the others.

Multi-car crashes injure more people, and many insurance companies can be involved in injury claims. Determining liability can be challenging, but skilled auto accident lawyers in San Antonio know what to look for and how to investigate such cases.

Hit-and Run Accidents

Some drivers flee the scene after causing an accident, hence hit-and-run accidents. Most accidents result in property damage, severe bodily injury, or death. Common causes of such accidents are speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving, such as texting.

Your San Antonio auto accident attorney can help you claim benefits from Uninsured Motorist policies if the driver is never found.

Rollovers

Vehicle rollovers are some of the deadliest accidents possible after head-on collisions. They happen when a car tips or is hit and ends up on its side or roof. The occupants may be ejected and die due to the high landing impact. While SUVs are more likely to roll over, trucks and vans can also be involved in such accidents.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Helping You Pursue Compensation

Whatever type of accident you get involved in, the impact can lead to devastating consequences. The injuries can be so severe that you incur costly medical expenses. You may also have to endure pain and suffering for no fault of your own. That’s why you need aggressive auto accident lawyers in San Antonio to help you recover compensation for the damage.

The Law Office of Matthew S. Norris has compassionate personal injury lawyers who can help you in your personal injury case. We can evaluate your situation, conduct an independent investigation, and work with expert witnesses to determine liability. Then, we will communicate with the at-fault parties and their insurance companies to help you pursue compensation. Call us at (210) 361-3393 for a FREE case assessment.