According to the National Safety Council (NSC), rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident, yet other kinds of wrecks are common throughout Texas.
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in Rockwall County. However, some accident types are more common than others. Likewise, certain collisions are more likely to result in fatal or catastrophic injuries. At Smith & Lee, our Rockwall car accident lawyers have experience representing clients in all types of car accident cases, from simple rear-end crashes to complex multi-vehicle pileups.
Let’s explore the common types of car wrecks in the region. If you need to speak with a lawyer about your collision, contact our law firm today. Smith & Lee is ready to do right by you.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents
In one recent year, Rockwall experienced over 1,200 motor vehicle accidents, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Most accidents in Texas involve several common crash types. These include:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Side-impact crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Lane-change accidents
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Rollovers
- Chain-reaction crashes
Each type of accident tends to occur in specific driving conditions (e.g., intersections, highways, or congested city streets), and each carries different injury risks.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in Texas. They occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another vehicle traveling in the same direction.
Several factors can lead to rear-end accidents:
- Distracted driving (e.g., texting, using a phone, eating, adjusting car controls, etc.)
- Sudden stops in traffic
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Poor weather or road conditions
Most of the time, there is a presumption that a driver who strikes the vehicle in front of them is at fault for the collision. However, the driver in front may share liability if they stopped suddenly, had malfunctioning brake lights, or engaged in unsafe driving behaviors.
Injuries in a Rear-End Collision
Many rear-end collisions occur at lower speeds. However, they can still cause significant injuries, most notably, whiplash. Other injuries may include:
- Back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Concussions
- Shoulder injuries
- Facial injuries from airbag deployment
T-Bone and Other Side-Impact Crashes
T-bone accidents (also known as side-impact crashes) occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. Common causes of T-bone collisions include:
- Running red lights
- Ignoring stop signs
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Distracted driving
- Misjudging traffic speed
T-bone accidents often cause serious injuries because the side of a vehicle offers less protection than the front or rear.
Where Do T-bone Crashes Happen Most Often?
T-bone crashes typically occur at intersections. These areas require drivers to obey traffic signals while vehicles cross paths from different directions. A driver’s failure to yield can trigger a side-impact collision with another vehicle.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions account for a significant portion of fatal traffic accidents in Texas. They occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash directly into one another. These crashes often occur when a driver:
- Drifts into oncoming traffic
- Attempts an unsafe pass on a two-lane road
- Drives while impaired
- Falls asleep behind the wheel
- Becomes distracted
Where Do Head-On Car Wrecks Usually Happen?
Head-on collisions typically occur on rural roads or undivided highways, where there is no physical barrier separating traffic. The injuries resulting from these crashes can be catastrophic and may include TBIs, spinal cord injuries, and other disabling injuries.
Although head-on crashes involve front-to-front impacts, most of these collisions have one driver who is primarily at fault for the incident.
Sideswipe and Lane-Change Crashes
Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact along their sides. These crashes commonly happen during lane changes or merges. They may also happen on the interstate or highway as drivers drift into other lanes. Most sideswipe collisions are caused by a driver’s failure to check blind spots. Other common causes include:
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to signal
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Misjudging spacing while merging
Sideswipe Collisions Can Lead to Serious Car Wrecks
Sideswipe crashes may seem like they’d cause nothing more than cosmetic damage. However, a sideswipe impact can force a driver to lose control of their vehicle and lead to other, more serious collisions.
These cases often involve disputed liability; both drivers may accuse the other of drifting into their lane. Evidence such as dashcam footage, witness statements, and vehicle damage patterns may be necessary to assess who is at fault.
Single-Vehicle Crashes, Rollovers, and Fixed-Object Impacts
Not every accident involves multiple drivers. The Texas Department of Transportation reports tens of thousands of accidents with fixed objects each year. In some situations, a crash may involve only one vehicle striking a stationary object (e.g., a guardrail or tree) or leaving the roadway.
Single Vehicle Accidents
That these collisions are “single vehicle” makes it seem like the crashing driver is always at fault. However, many accidents involve external factors that may shift liability to another party. For example, single-vehicle accidents can result from:
- Dangerous road conditions
- Debris left in the roadway
- Poorly designed intersections or curves
- Tire blowouts or mechanical defects
- Another driver forces someone off the road, causing a roadway departure
In these cases, a driver may still have a valid personal injury claim even though their vehicle was the only one involved in the crash.
Rollover Crashes
Rollovers are one of the most serious types of single-vehicle accidents. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity (e.g., SUVs and pickup trucks) are more susceptible to rolling during sudden maneuvers or high-speed collisions.
Rollover accidents often cause severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Wrongful death
Investigating single-vehicle accidents can be challenging because the driver who forced a vehicle off the road may leave the scene, or the debris or conditions that led to the accident may change. An attorney and/or accident reconstructionist may need to examine vehicle damage, roadway design, and possible mechanical defects to understand what happened.
Multi-Car Pileups
Multi-vehicle accidents are crashes that involve three or more vehicles. They usually begin with a single collision that causes a series of secondary crashes.
Several factors commonly contribute to these accidents:
- Sudden traffic slowdowns
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Poor visibility due to the weather
- Speeding in congested traffic
Since these crashes involve multiple drivers, pinpointing liability can be complicated. However, under Texas’s proportionate responsibility rules, every driver who contributed to the pile-up can be held responsible for their share of negligence.
Which Types of Car Accidents Are Most Likely to Cause Serious Injuries or Death?
Head-on collisions are generally the most dangerous type of crash. Rollover accidents also carry a significant risk of serious injuries or fatalities. Keep in mind that catastrophic injuries and fatal injuries are possible in all kinds of car wrecks.
What to Do After Any Kind of Car Crash
No matter what type of crash you were in, the actions you take afterward can significantly affect your health and your potential legal claim. Consider the following steps to take after a car accident:
- Check for Injuries and Move to Safety. After a crash, check yourself and others for injuries. If possible, move vehicles out of active traffic to reduce the risk of further collisions.
- Call 911. Texas law (43 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.976) requires drivers to report accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage. When you call 911, a dispatcher will send police and emergency responders to the scene. The responding officer will create a police report.
- Exchange Information. Exchange contact and insurance coverage information. If there are witnesses nearby, try to obtain their names and contact information as well, in case you need them to corroborate your version of events later on.
- Document the Scene. Photographs and videos can provide valuable evidence for your injury claim. You should attempt to document vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries (if you are physically able to do so).
- Seek Medical Attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries (such as concussions or internal injuries) may not show symptoms immediately but still require prompt diagnosis and treatment to enhance your recovery prospects.
You should also contact an experienced car accident lawyer for help understanding your rights and legal options for pursuing a personal injury claim.
What Evidence Should I Gather at the Scene to Protect My Insurance Claim?
The more documentation you gather after a crash, the better. The following evidence may be useful for a future claim against your insurance coverage:
- Photographs of vehicle damage and the accident scene
- Contact information for witnesses
- Insurance and driver information from other drivers
- The police crash report number
- Medical records documenting your injuries
If possible, write down everything you remember about the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. Details such as weather conditions, traffic signals, and the sequence of events can become important later.
Contact Smith & Lee to Discuss Your Car Wreck in Rockwall County
At Smith & Lee, our car accident lawyers help injured clients understand their legal rights and pursue compensation for their losses. We have experience handling cases involving all types of motor vehicle collisions, and we want to do right by you. To request a free consultation, contact Smith & Lee today.