Thousands of car accidents occur daily nationwide. You have legal options when it happens to you, and someone else is to blame. You can receive compensation after any type of car accident caused by another party, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Below, learn about the most common types of motor vehicle accidents. Next, speak to a Houston car accident attorney in your community to determine if you have a viable case.
How Do You Know You Have A Valid Auto Accident Claim?
If you suffered an injury in a car crash, your first concern is your health, then repairing or replacing your vehicle. Once you have seen a doctor and have been treated, you may wonder if you have a claim that can lead to compensation. You can assess the viability of your case based on the following requirements:
- The other driver was negligent: First, you must know that another driver violated their duty of care and caused the accident. For example, did the other driver run a red light and hit you while you were going through the intersection? They violated their duty of care to obey traffic laws and drive safely.
- The driver's negligence led to your injuries: Second, the other driver's negligence in running the red light caused your injuries. For example, perhaps you broke your arm and dislocated your hip in the resulting T-bone accident.
- The accident caused you damages: Last, you must show that the car accident caused you damages, such as medical bills or lost income.
Calling a car accident attorney is the critical first step to learning if you have a viable claim. The attorney will review the accident details and evidence to determine if another party caused the accident.
Then, they can learn about your accident injuries, lost income, and other losses to demand the insurance company to settle the claim. Most auto accident claims end with a settlement, but if necessary, your attorney can file the claim in court and present your case to a jury.
What Are The Most Common Types Of Auto Accidents?
The following are the most common types of motor vehicle accidents:
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions are among the most common motor vehicle accidents, with the NHTSA reporting that 29 percent of all auto accidents are rear-end crashes. This accident happens when the rear vehicle collides with the car in front of them. Usually, the rear driver is at fault for a rear-end crash. For example, a car stops at a red light, and the rear driver is distracted and hits the front vehicle.
These accidents are sometimes fender-benders without serious injuries. In other cases, the injuries can be severe or even fatal. For instance, a tractor-trailer rear-ending a car at even low speed can lead to catastrophic injuries.
A car accident attorney will review the evidence of the rear-end accident to determine who was at fault. The rear driver is to blame for being distracted or reckless, but there are limited cases where the front driver is liable.
Head-On Crashes
A head-on collision is probably the most dangerous of all motor vehicle accidents. This occurs when two vehicles driving in opposite directions slam into each other head-on. In many head-on accidents, vehicle occupants suffer head injuries, spinal cord damage, and sometimes, death.
The most common causes of head-on crashes are fatigued or drunk drivers going the wrong way on a road or highway. Driver distraction is also a common cause of head-on crashes. A car accident lawyer in your city can review the accident evidence to show if the other driver violated their duty of care and caused the accident.
T-Bone Crashes
T-bone car accidents often happen at intersections with red lights or stop signs. One driver fails to stop and yield the right of way, causing the vehicle to slam into the other at a 90-degree angle.
T-bone auto accidents are often severe because the side of the car being hit isn't designed to absorb impact like the front or rear. Injuries in T-bone crashes can be devastating, with head injuries, severe cuts and lacerations, and broken bones being common injuries.
Sideswipe Crashes
Sideswipe accidents comprise about 2.5 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. They happen when one motorist brushes against the side of another vehicle, usually when going in opposite directions. Some sideswipe accidents happen when one vehicle merges into another car's lane.
Some sideswipe accidents are relatively minor, but the collision can cause the driver to lose control and cause other accidents.
Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Multi-vehicle crashes mean any crash with more than two vehicles, which can happen in many ways and places. A typical scenario is one car rear-ending another in stopped traffic, causing a chain reaction accident. A multi-car, rear-end crash on the interstate can cause a pileup with many injuries and liable parties.
Always hire an auto accident attorney when involved in a multi-vehicle accident. It will usually be challenging to determine who was at fault without the help of a skilled lawyer. You can be rear-ended by another vehicle, causing you to hit the driver in front of you, but the insurance company may attempt to blame you. Your attorney will ensure that the proper person is blamed for the accident and that you receive the most compensation.
Rollover Crash
Any motor vehicle can roll over, but an SUV's high center of gravity makes it more likely. Rollover risk is higher in poor weather and when a driver takes a turn too fast. Rollover accidents can also happen after a T-bone accident or sideswipe accident.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that 7,182 drivers in a recent year died in rollover crashes. A front impact crash caused the vehicle to roll over in many of these accidents.
Why Do Motor Vehicle Accidents Happen?
There are several major causes of auto accidents in three categories:
Driver Error
Most, but not all, auto accidents happen because of driver error. The NHTSA states that up to 94 percent of all motor vehicle accidents are related to driver errors, including:
- Distracted driving: Smartphones are ubiquitous and dangerous on our roads. In a recent year, 2,841 people died in motor vehicle accidents because of distracted driving. A car accident attorney will review your case evidence, including the involved drivers' cell phone records, to determine if driver distraction caused the crash.
- Drunk driving: Drivers who are drunk, on drugs, or even sometimes prescription medication are dangerous to other motorists. A drunk driver who hits and injures you can be criminally charged, and you can also sue them for your losses.
- Speeding: Speeding is a factor in approximately 30 percent of all traffic deaths. Going over the speed limit also leads to more severe injuries that can cause permanent disability.
- Fatigued driving: Drowsy driving is often connected to truck drivers, but any driver can be sleepy and cause a serious accident. Talk to a car accident attorney if the other driver looked fatigued after the accident.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive and reckless driving also cause many serious auto accidents. Sudden lane changes, tailgating, and road rage can lead to severe or fatal injuries.
Auto Problems
Vehicle-related problems cause about two percent of auto accidents. Tires and brakes cause many accidents related to vehicle problems. Faulty suspensions, steering, and engines also cause accidents. Speak to a product liability attorney if a vehicle defect caused your accident. You can have a claim against the vehicle or part manufacturer.
Weather And Environmental Conditions
Other serious and fatal car accidents are caused by poor weather, road conditions, and sign or traffic signal failures. A car accident attorney can file a lawsuit against the appropriate government agency if a road defect leads to your auto accident.
When Should You Always Call A Car Accident Attorney?
There are several cases when you should always call a car accident attorney. You also can call a car accident lawyer if you aren't sure you need legal representation. No auto accident attorney will take a case that isn't likely to lead to significant compensation. Keep in mind that another party - such as another driver or company - must be liable for you to receive compensation in a claim or lawsuit:
Major Injuries
You should always retain a personal injury attorney if you have significant injuries. A considerable injury takes months or years to heal. You also have a significant injury if it will lead to you not working for a long time and if you need hospitalization and surgery. You also have a substantial injury if permanent disability is likely, such as with an amputation injury or major head trauma.
Fault Is Contested
It's common for drivers to point fingers at each other after a major car accident. You should hire a car accident lawyer if you are being blamed unfairly for an accident. You might be sure the other driver hit you, but the other party or their insurance company can attempt to blame you partially.
A car accident attorney can review the relevant evidence to prove who was at fault. You don't want your compensation reduced because you are partially blamed for an accident you didn't cause.
An Employer Is Involved
Did a truck driver hit and injure you? Then, you can sue the trucking company, and you should hire an attorney to do it. Trucks cause severe injuries, and the insurance company will fight your claim. Millions of dollars can be at stake, so having an experienced truck accident attorney is essential.
There Are Several Vehicles Involved
Were you hit in a pileup on the highway involving four cars and a tractor-trailer? This case will be complex, and you should hire an attorney immediately. Determining who was at fault and to what degree can take months, and there can be many injured fighting for a limited pool of insurance money. You need a fierce attorney fighting for the most money for you and your loved ones.
Someone Died
Always retain a car accident attorney if someone dies in the car accident. There can be a wrongful death lawsuit filed, and criminal charges are possible. It's always best to have an attorney representing you when someone dies in an accident you were involved in. If you lost a loved one because of another driver's negligence, you can receive compensation in a wrongful death claim.
How Do You Get More Auto Accident Compensation?
There are several ways to get more money for your auto accident claim. First, hire a car accident attorney to handle the case. Your attorney is experienced with insurance claims and litigation and will maximize your payout if you qualify. They will also handle the entire legal and administrative case so you can focus on your recovery.
Second, receive immediate medical attention. The sooner you see a doctor and document your injuries, the better for your case. Any delaying medical treatment can complicate your case. So, after you leave the crash scene, you should go to the hospital or ER to be evaluated and treated. Your doctor will note that your injuries were sustained in a car accident.
Third, be careful about speaking to another party's insurance company. The purpose of another driver's insurance company is to minimize what they pay to injured parties. The adjuster may call and want to record the conversation, but you should politely decline. Nothing good will come of you speaking to an adversarial insurance adjuster. Instead, tell the adjuster to speak to your auto accident attorney.
Contact An Auto Accident Attorney Now
The aftermath of a serious car accident is often confusing and stressful. Piles of medical and other bills may be unpaid because you can't work, and the future is cloudy. You should contact an experienced auto accident attorney immediately to assist you. Your attorney will fight for every dollar you deserve from the insurance company. The best part is that you don't pay a dime to your lawyer out of pocket and pay nothing if your case is unsuccessful.