Most drivers want to avoid a crash at all costs. However, they may fail to consider the broad assortment of different types of collisions that can occur in traffic. People become so focused on avoiding one particular type of collision that they might leave themselves vulnerable to another type of crash.
There are many different types of wrecks, all of which have different risk factors and result in varying consequences. The following are the most common types of car crashes.
Single-vehicle crashes
Drivers lose control of their vehicles all the time, and the crashes that result do not necessarily involve any other vehicles. From rollover incidents to tree collisions involving drunk drivers, there are many types of wrecks that only involve one vehicle. A crash does not have to involve another vehicle to result in serious injury or even death.
Crashes between passenger vehicles
Often, crashes involve two passenger vehicles. Sometimes, they collide head-on. Other times, these crashes involve an angle collision like a T-bone wreck. There are also rear-end collisions and sideswipes to consider. There are also multi-vehicle collisions, which often occur during times of inclement weather.
Commercial vehicle collisions
Semi-trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles can collide with each other or with passenger vehicles. Rollover, jackknife and underride collision are all types of crashes that frequently involve semi-trucks. Commercial vehicle collisions tend to produce severe injuries and massive property damage.
Car-pedestrian crashes
People in motor vehicles do not always check constantly for pedestrians in traffic. A driver can strike a pedestrian at an intersection or in a parking lot. The vehicle may sustain little or no serious damage, while the pedestrian might experience life-altering injuries.
Car-bicycle collisions
Drivers often overlook cyclists in traffic. They might collide with a cyclist by merging into a lane occupied by someone on a bicycle. People in motor vehicles can also send a cyclist flying in dooring incidents where someone opens a vehicle door into the flow of traffic, leading to a cyclist hitting the door.
Car-motorcycle crashes
There are signs in yards and bumper stickers on vehicles advising people to look for motorcycles on the road. Even though they are large, loud and heavy, drivers frequently fail to notice motorcycles. While motorcycles often cause damage to enclosed vehicles, the riders are much more vulnerable than the occupants of enclosed vehicles.
Every type of crash can result in different types of injuries and different options for compensation. Those involved in motor vehicle collisions may need help negotiating insurance claims or filing personal injury lawsuits. Seeking compensation after a crash is often necessary because of property damage expenses, medical costs and lost wages. Drivers who avoid causing wrecks can potentially hold others accountable in the event of a preventable collision.
