When people are involved in car accidents, the first question that may come to mind is the severity of the injury. In 2020, there were more than 42,000 collision-related fatalities in the U.S. As tragic as that is, non-fatal injuries can also be serious enough to impair a person's life. According to the National Safety Council, there were more than 4 million injuries in the U.S. caused by car crashes in 2020. In Colorado alone, there were more than 3,100 serious injuries in 2019, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.
While some vehicle collisions are minor, others can cause a lot of
damage or even death. Here are five of the most common types of car accidents
involving other vehicles that can result in serious injury.
Pile-Ups
Vehicle pile-ups happen when one car hits another, which
ultimately causes a chain reaction of subsequent crashes for the cars
ahead or around the initial collision. Pile-ups are a particular risk in
heavy traffic where cars are in close proximity, leaving little space to avoid
being hit. Being in a pile-up can be very dangerous, particularly when vehicles
are traveling at high rates of speed.
Sideswipes
Sideswipes are some of the most common types of car accidents but
are also some of the least serious as far as injuries are concerned. However,
being sideswiped by another car can noticeably damage a vehicle, and repair
costs can be expensive.
Rear-End Collisions
When a distracted or impaired driver hits another car from behind,
it’s a rear-end collision. One of the most common types of car accidents, these
types of collisions are unpredictable when trying to guess the severity of the
injury. Some rear-end crashes do nothing more than cause cosmetic damage to a
car. Other rear-end collisions can cause injuries such as whiplash or more
serious health issues. If a car is traveling at a high rate of speed and hits another
car, a rear-end crash could actually cause a fatal injury.
Side Collisions
Side collisions occur when one car hits another vehicle on the
side. Also known as being T-boned, these are different than sideswiped because
the accident-causing vehicle makes a direct impact on the other car. These
types of car accidents can happen when people run red lights, or ignore
right-of-way road rules. Unfortunately, this is also a type of accident that
can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on collisions happen when two cars crash while heading toward
the other. Impaired driving or vision, as well as poorly lit roads, are common
culprits for what cause these types of crashes. Head-on collisions are
notoriously fatal, especially if at least one of the cars is speeding.
In a perfect world, car accidents would never happen. However, the
unfortunate reality is that car accidents do happen and it happens every day.
If it happens to you or someone you love, it is important to get the help and support
you might need.
Are you looking for more information about crash injuries and legal representation in Colorado? If so, get in touch with Varner Faddis. Just visit their website and find out more about what you can do for yourself and the people you care about.
