Which Types of Auto Accidents Cause the Most Serious Injuries?

We hope you are never injured in an auto accident. Between the stress of being in an accident, and much worse, injuries, loss of your property, medical bills, and rehabilitation, pain and suffering, this will be one of the worst events of your life.  In serious cases, a life is lost and you will never be the same.

Every year more than three million people are injured in some sort of auto accident. In Alabama, you have a one-in-three chance of ever being involved in an auto accident over your lifetime. 

We consistently see serious injuries and deaths resulting from the following types of collisions:

• Head-On Collision – This is often the deadliest of auto accidents that results in the most serious injuries. Even if a driver is traveling at 30 miles per hour, both drivers traveling at that speed means the collision occurs at 60 mph. A head-on collision can be the result of a tired driver, a driver who is intoxicated, because of brake failure, or when one driver is on the wrong side of the road. Head injuries are among the most serious of injuries that result from a passenger hitting the dashboard, windshield, or steering wheel. Head injuries can lead to permanent impairment and death. Chest injuries are also likely from a body being violently propelled forward. 
  
  
• T-Bone Collision – Also known as a side impact accident, a T-bone happens when one car hits the other at a 90-degree angle. This leaves the passenger inside the car struck most vulnerable because there is just metal to protect the person sitting next to the door. A failure to yield at a stop sign or light is the most common cause of a T-bone collision.  Arm, leg injuries can result from a T-bone collision as well as soft tissue injuries when the car impacts the midsection of the body.
  
  
• Rear-End Collision – The most common type of injury results from a rear-end collision where a whiplash results in soft tissue injuries to the body’s connective tissues. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are impacted in an auto accident as back injuries can also result from the force of the impact. Expect mid and lower back muscle sprains. In some cases, a vehicle occupant, not wearing a seatbelt, can be thrown from the car and suffer traumatic head injury. When one vehicle submarines under a big-rig in a rear-end collision, the occupant of the rear car is likely to suffer severe, life-altering head injuries. Decapitation is also possible.

Factors Causing Serious Auto Accidents

By far, speeding is the leading cause of auto accidents. Usually its accompanied by aggressive driving, changing lanes, and tailgating. Federal statistics show us that one of every three fatal car accidents involved speeding.

Speeding – When a driver is exceeding the speed limit, he is limiting the amount of time he has to react to conditions on the road including rain and slick streets, something running out in front of the car, or someone ahead suddenly stopping. We all have an obligation to share the road and to drive as safely as we can. Someone speeding is not keeping up their end of the deal and likely will be identified as the at-fault driver.  

Alcohol – Alcohol is a leading factor in many auto accidents and the first thing that a responding officer will look for upon the scene of an auto accident. Whether alcohol or drugs, driving under the influence means the driver cannot react to the conditions of the road and may even fall asleep behind the wheel.

Drowsy or Distracted Driving – Distraction behind the wheel can involve electronics or even driving drowsy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it is estimated that one in 25 drivers, age 18 and older, has fallen asleep while driving in just the last 30 days! Tired driving leads to distracted driving and the effects can be as bad as alcohol. Distractions are also at an all-time high from smartphones as they have become a national obsession, even behind the wheel.

Your Alabama Auto Accident Attorney

All drivers have a duty to act with care to avoid an accident. When the at fault driver breaches this duty and that breach of exercising reasonable care results in harm to a victim, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed. 

In the case of both drivers sharing in the fault, the insurer for the primary negligent party will blame the other side so that the law of contributory negligence may make recovery difficult.

Make sure the evidence in your auto accident case doesn’t disappear. Hiring J. Allan Brown immediately is the best avenue to begin the recovery process. Call at (251) 220-3199 to arrange a complimentary consultation on your case.