Last updated on November 23rd, 2023
A car accident happens when least expected. For instance, you may be involved in a rear-end accident at a red light or a jackknife accident with a semi-truck as you are entering the highway. Unfortunately, a car accident brings devastating consequences for many people, including injuries, property damage, and death.
Generally, insurance covers most losses resulting from a car accident. Even so, getting compensation is not straightforward, with some victims at risk of losing out on financial support. It always helps to work with a car accident attorney who can represent your interest in a claim.
If you’ve been injured in a vehicle collision, consider speaking to a trusted Dayton car accident attorney about your legal options.
Understanding the different types of car accidents can help you appreciate the risks on the road and prevent future incidents.
Some of the common types of accidents in Dayton include:
A rear-end collision occurs when a forward-moving vehicle crashes into the rear-end of a vehicle. Most rear-end collisions happen when a driver fails to pay attention on the road or leaves very little distance between their car and the other vehicle.
When a driver fails to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, the driver may lack enough time or space to brake and avoid a collision. Although the driver behind may fail to maintain enough space, they’re not always at fault.
The front driver may break suddenly in active traffic or make a sudden u-turn, leading to an accident. Victims of rear-end collisions suffer injuries including face and eye injuries, fractures, amputations, and neck and shoulder injuries.
A head-on collision is one of the most dangerous car accidents. These types of accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the opposite direction collide head-on. Most head-on collisions occur at high speed, increasing the possibility of serious injuries.
Overtaking vehicles on a two-lane road increases the risk of head-on collision. If a driver fails to see an oncoming vehicle or underestimates the time required to overtake, they can collide with the oncoming car.
A side impact crash occurs when a vehicle strikes another vehicle on its side. It may happen when two cars swipe each other on the side. It may also occur when one vehicle hits the other in a perpendicular orientation, commonly called a ‘t-bone’ collision.
It is called a t-bone collision because of the ‘t’ shape that the two colliding vehicles form. While there are many reasons behind a side impact collision, it can occur if another driver fails to allow or notice another car when joining a lane.
Single-car collisions only involve one vehicle. It occurs when a car hits an object or runs off the road. Most of these accidents happen when a driver hits something in its path, including animals, debris, or dropped cargo.
Depending on the location of the accident, the vehicle may roll over or veer off the road. A single-car accident may also result in severe injuries when the car rolls over or hits a large object.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1,242 fatal crashes in 2021 occurred in Ohio. Unfortunately, human error is the most significant contributor to these accidents.
Here are the common causes of car accidents:
Distracted driving is another activity that takes away attention from driving. Typical forms of distracted driving include texting, talking on the cell phone, using the navigation system, and eating while driving.
Unfortunately, one second of distraction can cause a severe car accident.
Driving under the influence involves driving while intoxicated with alcohol or hard drugs. Although alcohol is the leading cause of these accidents, illegal and legal drugs also contribute.
Some prescription drugs cause drowsiness, hindering the driver’s ability to operate safely. Similarly, alcohol slows down the reflexes, making it hard to avoid hazards on the road.
Varying weather conditions affect the safety on the road. For instance, roads become slippery due to rain, snow, or ice, which can affect tire traction. Unfortunately, little to no tire traction can cause the vehicle to slide off the road or onto other vehicles, causing an accident.
Fog and heavy rainfall reduce road visibility, making it challenging to spot road hazards increasing the risk of road accidents.
Reckless driving occurs when a driver engages in willful or careless disregard for a person’s or property’s safety. Common forms of reckless driving include racing other vehicles, running red lights or stop signs, exceeding speed limits, and aggressive driving.
Unfortunately, reckless driving can cause an accident, causing injuries such as broken bones, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and death.
Most car accidents are stressful, painful, and expensive. Even a minor accident can leave you with medical bills, property damage, and emotional anguish. You may be eligible for compensation for your injuries if you were not at fault for the accident.
A personal injury attorney can assess the damages you sustained due to the car accident. Subsequently, they can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party or help you file an insurance claim.
A victim of a car accident can claim the following damages:
A car accident results in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. In addition to the physical injuries, victims endure mounting medical bills, lost income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
With that in mind, consider engaging an experienced car accident attorney to enhance your chances for maximum compensation.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz is a team of experienced lawyers who are compassionate about assisting car accident victims.
Contact us online or call us at 1.937.222.2222 for a free case evaluation.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 1.937.222.2222