Most Dangerous Types of Car Accidents

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), car accidents claimed the lives of 37,461 Americans in 2016. Findings by the IIHS noted that certain types of collision were more likely to result in fatalities than others.

The team at our San Diego, CA law firm would like to go over some of the most dangerous types of collisions that can occur. This may help you be more cautious behind the wheel and more alert while you are driving.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are one of the deadliest kinds of accidents that can occur. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike one another, the amount of force generated from the impact can be tremendous, causing catastrophic injuries. Figures from the IIHS estimated that head-on accidents were responsible for 54 percent of all passenger vehicle fatalities in 2016.

T-Bone Accidents

Also known as broadside collisions and side impact collisions, T-bone accidents happen when a vehicle is struck on the drivers side or passenger side by the front of another vehicle. Since the sides of vehicles are not as well-protected as the front and rear, the injuries sustained can be devastating, even with side airbags in place. Approximately 25 percent of auto collision deaths in the United States in 2016 were T-bone crashes.

Rollover Accidents

A rollover accidents refers to any instances in which a vehicle turns over onto its side. This can occur in single-vehicle crashes as well as collisions with other vehicles. It’s more likely to occur in top-heavy vehicles, such as SUVs and vans. The IIHS found that 7,488 deaths occurred in vehicle rollovers in 2016.

The dangers increase if the vehicle rolls over onto its roof. The roof may crush and cave in, causing potentially fatal injuries to vehicle occupants.

Underride Crashes with Large Trucks

Underride accidents occur when a passenger vehicle collides with the trailer of a large semi-truck. The passenger vehicle may travel partially under the trailer, resulting in the roof of the vehicle getting slammed and sheared off. The head trauma and brain injuries from such collisions can be deadly. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that half of all fatalities in accidents involving passenger vehicles and large truck are the result of underride collisions.

High-Speed Crashes

It’s no surprise that speed kills. When someone exceeds the speed limit and drives recklessly, the risk of a deadly crash is high. According to numbers from the IIHS, speeding was a contributing factor to 26 percent of auto accident deaths in 2016.

Drunk and Intoxicated Driving

Driving while you are drunk or under the influence of any controlled substances can impair your reflexes, dull your reaction times, and hamper your decision-making skills. This all makes the loss of vehicle control and the chance for reckless behaviors behind the wheel much higher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,497 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2016.

Contact Olsen Law Offices

For more information about your legal rights following an auto accident, we encourage you to contact an experienced accident attorney. Our legal team can offer insight and assistance following a serious crash.