Types of Richmond Car Accidents and Crashes
Experienced legal help when you are injured in a car accident in Virginia
Car wrecks can happen in any number of ways and for any number of reasons. Regardless of how they occur, when you or a loved one are injured in a crash that was not your fault, you deserve compensation for your losses. After a motor vehicle accident, ensure you have an experienced and strategic attorney on your side to protect your rights.
The Richmond-based auto accident attorneys at Phelan Petty understand that a serious injury can sideline you for weeks, months, or in some cases, permanently. When one suffers these injuries because of another person’s negligence, our lawyers put their experience to work – holding at-fault drivers in Virginia accountable, and working to secure financial compensation for our clients’ losses, pain, and suffering. Let us help.
What are the different types of vehicle accidents?
Depending on how vehicles collide or crash into each other, car accidents can have different outcomes and injuries. Following are the most common types of car wrecks.
Broadside collisions
Also called a T-bone or side impact collision, a broadside happens when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. A common example of a broadside crash is when one driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign, and hits another car in the intersection. The majority of these accidents are caused by a driver’s failure to yield or give other vehicles right of way.
Broadside crashes tend to result in serious injuries. In fact, side impact collisions accounted for 23 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities in 2019. Common causes of T-bone crashes include:
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy or distracted driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failure to follow traffic signals
- Bad weather conditions or visibility
These types of accidents can result in serious injuries to both drivers and passengers.
Head-on collisions
Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. These types of accidents are often serious and often fatal, usually because of the speed involved and because of the impact caused by both vehicles crashing into each other. Head-on collisions are typically caused by negligent or reckless drivers.
In 2018, head-on collisions caused 4,900 fatalities and 256,000 injuries, as well as making up nearly 30 percent of all traffic crashes. Causes of head-on crashes include:
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Driving while distracted
- Taking a curve too quickly
- Failing to follow traffic signals
- Traveling the wrong way on a one-way road
Alcohol also often plays a factor in these types of crashes.
Rear-end crashes
A rear-end crash happens when a car hits the one in front of it. These accidents typically occur when the at-fault driver is distracted or tailgating and has to hit the brakes suddenly. Rear-end collisions can also happen during icy or rainy weather when a driver fails to take road conditions into account.
These types of accidents make up about 29 percent of all traffic accidents resulting in serious injury, and are responsible for over seven percent of all traffic-related fatalities. In most cases (but not all), the driver who rear-ended the other car is typically at fault in these types of collisions. Other causes of rear-end crashes include:
- Sudden stops or slowdowns
- Turning without a signal
- Failing to move a disabled vehicle
Passengers in rear-end crashes often suffer whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
Sideswipe collisions
A sideswipe is much like it sounds; when two vehicles driving next to each other make contact with each other, causing an accident. These commonly occur when one driver changes lanes without properly checking first. Other causes include:
- A car “drifting” into another lane
- A vehicle crossing the center line of traffic
- A driver intentionally running a vehicle off the road
- When a driver over- or under-turns and hits another car
The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports 913 fatal sideswipe crashes in 2019, making up 2.7 percent of all fatal accidents that year.
Single-vehicle crashes
Some examples of a one-vehicle crash include a driver falling asleep at the wheel, a drunk or drugged driver, reckless driving, or bad weather conditions like snow or ice. Collisions with animals are also considered single-vehicle crashes.
In these types of accidents, the driver is often held at fault, but there may be situations where a third party can be liable. For example, if:
- The driver was forced off the road by a reckless driver
- The crash was caused by a defective auto part, like faulty brakes
Our Richmond car crash attorneys can explain these types of circumstances in more detail.
How can a Richmond car accident attorney help with my case?
Our personal injury attorneys will investigate the collision that led to your injuries, assigning liability to the responsible party or parties. Then, we will determine the extent of your injuries and how they are affecting your day-to-day life, as well as they will affect your future.
The amount of compensation to which you may be entitled depends on a variety of factors specific to your accident, including the:
- Expected cost of your current and future medical treatment
- Ability to return to your job and earn future income
- Likelihood of a full recovery from your injuries
- Scope of your pain and suffering
- Amount of insurance coverage involved in your injury claim
When we take your case, we make it our goal to secure the best possible outcome for your case. We are not afraid to go to trial if that’s what it takes for success. Give us a call as soon as possible after your accident, as the Virginia statute of limitations on personal injury actions is two years.
Richmond motor vehicle crash attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, talk to the lawyers at Phelan Petty today. We protect your right to compensation and hold the at-fault driver accountable. When you need experienced legal representation, we can help. Contact us in Richmond today so we can start building a strong case on your behalf.
To schedule a free consultation, please call 804-298-7968 or fill out our contact form. Proudly serving Virginia.