If you are a driver, chances are you have been involved in a car accident at one point, or you at least know someone who has been there. The truth is that getting behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous things that many people are forced to do every day.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 40,000 Americans are killed in car accidents every year. In fact, car accidents are the #1 cause of death among people aged 34 years and below.
When you are involved in a car crash and suffer significant harm due to the accident, you need to hire an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer who will help you seek compensation for damages. The attorney will assess the circumstances surrounding your accident and determine the best course of action.
This article discusses seven of the most common types of car accidents that an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you with. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Head-On Collisions
According to the NHTSA, head-on collisions make up at least three percent of all accidents that happen in the country. Although they are not so common, they often result in severe injury and damage to the cars involved.
Typically, a head-on collision happens when impaired or distracted motorists cross over the center line separating different lanes and end up colliding with an oncoming vehicle.
They may also occur when a driver confuses the entrance and exit ramps to highways/interstates or goes in the wrong direction on a one-way road.
The most severe head-on collision accidents happen when the involved cars were moving at high speeds and can cause severe property damage and the likelihood of fatality.
2. Side-Impact Collisions
A side-impact collision occurs when a car crashes at the side of another, forming a T shape. This type of accident mainly occurs at intersections and sharp turns and is highly dangerous in truck accidents.
Statistics show that side-impact collisions accounted for at least 25% of all serious car accidents in the U.S in 2019.
One major factor contributing to side-impact collisions is confusion between drivers as to which car has the first right of way over the other. When both drivers think that they have the first right of way and none of them slows down, a side-impact collision is inevitable.
Traffic experts advise motorists to practice extra care and patience at intersections to avoid such accidents. Ignoring your blind spot while changing lanes, accelerating at yellow lines, and not being attentive to other drivers when changing lanes can all lead to side-impact collisions.
Ensure you contact an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer when you are involved in a side-impact collision. He/she will request you to take photographs of the accident scene to help establish who is at fault.
3. Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident occurs when your car turns over, causing its roof to strike the ground. Though not common, these accidents do happen.
Rollover accidents are primarily caused by speeding drivers who fail to maneuver sharp bends and corners successfully.
So, does it mean that a passenger can’t sue for compensation in a rollover accident? No. If the driver was driving too fast through a turn leading to a rollover, you could sue the driver or their estate.
If the car rolled over because of a defective part, the car owner plus the passengers could work with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney to sue the part manufacturer.
If the vehicle turned over because another car hit it, you can file a lawsuit against the other driver and the owner of the car that was at fault.
4. Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning mainly occurs when you drive through stagnant water. To maintain strong contact with the road surface, your tires have to push water out of the way.
If your car’s speed increases to the point where the water cannot be pushed away quickly enough, a thin layer of water usually remains between the tire and road surface, causing you to lose control of the vehicle. This can lead to a serious accident.
To avoid hydroplaning, always drive at slow speeds after it rains. You should also check your tire treads regularly to ensure that they are not worn out.
If you are driving through stagnant water and you start feeling like you are losing control of the vehicle, don’t slam the brakes in panic. Instead, apply steady pressure allowing your car to slow down gradually.
5. Rear-end Collisions
According to official statistics from NHTSA, rear-end collisions account for about 33% of all traffic accidents in the United States. This translates to slightly over 2million incidents making them the most common type of accident.
The heavy traffic in some parts of the country, such as Atlanta, perhaps explains the higher rate of rear-end collisions. Although determining liability in a traffic accident is sometimes tricky, the same thing can’t be said of rear-end collisions.
In most cases, the rear driver will be at fault in such incidents. Some of the common causes of rear-end collisions include drivers distracted by mobile phones, passengers, or other things.
Drivers who follow other cars too closely in traffic and those who drive too fast for certain weather conditions can also cause rear-end collisions. Brake failure, which may occur due to poor car maintenance, might also lead to this type of accident.
6. Multi-Vehicle Collisions
A multi-vehicle accident occurs as a result of a chain reaction that started with one accident. Several road events and hazards can lead to multi-vehicle accidents, especially in heavy traffic.
For instance, if the traffic is moving slowly and something happens to one of the cars in the chain, multiple rear-end collisions may occur.
Another example of multi-vehicle collisions includes cars trying to avoid cargo spillage from a truck and motorists who experience a stroke, heart failure, or other medical emergencies that caused them to swerve into other traffic.
This type of accident can be serious when it occurs at relatively high speeds on the highway or interstate roads. The injuries can be fatal and even lead to multiple deaths.
7. Sideswipe Accidents
A sideswipe car accident happens whenever two cars collide while sharing the same lane of traffic. It can be caused by a driver who accidentally veers into another lane while they are distracted or one that turns their car in front of another vehicle, cutting them off.
Sideswipe accidents may also occur when drivers do not allow enough distance between their cars to account for how far away from the other vehicle they are.
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol has also been reported to be among the leading causes of these types of car accidents.
Talk to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today for Free Case Evaluation
Have you or your loved one been involved in a car accident and suffered injuries and damage to your car? You may have a valid claim against the other driver.
Contact Legal Giant, and we will connect you with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer who will assess your situation and help you decide on the best course of action. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about attorney fees.
As long as we establish that you have a valid case, we won’t charge you a penny unless we help you recover compensation for damages suffered.
Don’t wait. Talk to us today, and let us help you recover the rightful compensation you deserve.