Common Types of Car Crashes

More than 100,000 car accidents occurred throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia each year. That averages out to nearly 300 crashes per day. People sustained injuries in nearly half of the 105,000 total motor vehicle accidents in Virginia in 2020. More than 800 people suffered fatal injuries. The majority of car collisions are preventable and are caused by the negligence of one of the drivers involved.

If you have been injured in a Virginia car accident, you’re probably wondering how you’ll recover physically and financially. The good news is that you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses from the at-fault driver’s insurance through a car accident claim.

Attorney David Kendall and the legal team at Kendall Law Firm have experience handling personal injury claims involving all types of car accidents. The law firm has offices in Charlottesville and multiple locations throughout the Shenandoah Valley to meet with clients. We understand the far-reaching effects that a serious car crash can have. We are ready to devote our resources and experience to help you get your life back on track.

You can improve your chances of achieving a positive outcome by working with an experienced car accident lawyer. Call us today at (866) 590-9773 or contact us online to learn more during a free consultation.

The most common types of impacts in the car accident cases we handle include:

• Head-on collisions – A head-on collision occurs when the front end of one vehicle strikes the front end of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Head-on collisions are relatively rare but can result in life-altering or fatal injuries. Drunk drivers and drowsy drivers often cause head-on crashes by crossing into an oncoming lane of traffic.
• Sideswipe accidents – A sideswipe accident occurs when the side of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle traveling in a parallel direction. Sideswipe accidents commonly involve drivers who are distracted, impaired, or attempting unsafe lane-change maneuvers.
• T-bone accidents – A T-bone accident occurs when the front end of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle traveling in a perpendicular direction. Many T-bone accidents happen at intersections when drivers run red lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way.
• Rear-end collisions – A rear-end collision occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the back end of the vehicle ahead of it. Rear-end collisions are the most common accidents. They are caused by drivers following too closely or failing to pay adequate attention. They can result in serious neck and back injuries, even when they occur at relatively low speeds.
• Rollover wrecks – A rollover occurs when a vehicle overturns and rolls onto its side or roof. These catastrophic accidents can happen when negligent drivers take turns too quickly or automobile tires slide off the edge of the road. They also may happen because of poor vehicle design or mechanical defects.
• Jackknife accidents – A jackknife accident occurs when a semi-truck or tractor-trailer pivots out of control, folding in on itself like a closing jackknife. Improperly applying truck brakes can cause a jackknife accident.
• Underride collisions – An underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the back or side of a semi-truck. These collisions can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Single-vehicle crashes – A single-vehicle crash occurs when one vehicle collides with a fixed structure, object, or pedestrian.

Types of Drivers in Car Accidents

Many Virginia car accidents are the result of driver negligence. The following types of negligent drivers frequently cause wrecks:

• Distracted drivers – A distracted driver is focused on things other than the road, such as text messages, passenger conversations, a cell phone, a navigation system, or other diversions. Distracted drivers are more likely to fail to recognize dangerous traffic scenarios, drift into adjacent lanes, or plow into cars stopped ahead of them.
• Intoxicated drivers – Alcohol, illicit drugs, and even prescription medications can leave drivers unable to safely operate a vehicle. Intoxicating substances tend to affect critical driving abilities such as visual focus, hazard recognition, and reaction time leading to DUI accidents.
• Drowsy drivers – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Drivers who go 24 hours without sleep are effectively just as impaired as drivers with blood alcohol levels over the legal limit for driving while intoxicated.
• Reckless drivers – A reckless driver is someone who operates a vehicle on public roads without regard for the safety of others. Common reckless driving behaviors include excessive speeding, lane weaving, running red lights, and ignoring the right of way.
• Aggressive drivers – Aggressive drivers are distinct from reckless drivers. They purposely disregard others’ safety to intimidate or harass other road users. Common aggressive driving behaviors include tailgating, cutting others off in traffic, making obscene gestures, and attempting to run others off of the road.
• Hit-and-run drivers – Hit-and-run drivers are those who flee the scene of an accident without stopping to provide their information or render aid. Drivers may drive away after a collision if they are not properly insured, have outstanding arrest warrants, or want to avoid other legal repercussions.

Types of Vehicles Involved With Car Accidents

There are many types of vehicles that can be involved in traffic accidents. Many Virginia car crashes involve the following types of vehicles:

• Passenger vehicles – The majority of car accidents involve one or more passenger vehicles, such as sedans, light trucks, or sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
• Large trucks – Semi-trucks, flatbed trucks, and other large commercial trucks account for a relatively small percentage of registered vehicles on the road. But large commercial trucks are involved in a disproportionate share of severe accidents. In large truck crashes, the occupants of smaller vehicles tend to bear the brunt of the injuries, regardless of who caused the collision.
• Motorcycles – Accidents frequently occur between motorcycles and larger motor vehicles because automobile drivers overlook the smaller vehicles. Many motorists do not look out for motorcyclists when scanning an intersection for oncoming vehicles. Motorcyclists may be at fault in a motorcycle accident if the motorcyclist is speeding or weaving lanes.
• Bicycles – Bicycles are legally considered vehicles when ridden on public roads in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bicyclists are vulnerable to serious injuries if motorists fail to leave adequate space when passing or fail to see the bicycle.
• Defective vehicles – No matter the type of vehicle, defects in critical systems or components can cause dangerous loss-of-control accidents. Many defective truck accidents occur due to faulty brakes, steering systems, or tires. Claims involving defective trucking components are complex to pursue and require a Virginia personal injury lawyer with experience handling product liability cases.

Why You Need an Attorney

You may be tempted to try to handle everything yourself after a car collision. But you are significantly more likely to obtain a full recovery with the help of a seasoned personal injury attorney.

A knowledgeable Virginia  injury lawyer can:

• Explain your rights and options – If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Virginia, the lawyers of Kendall Law Firm can answer all of your questions during a free initial consultation. We can explain your legal rights, and outline your options for recovering compensation.
• Conduct an independent investigation – An experienced attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to identify and preserve important evidence, interview eyewitnesses, determine who was at fault, and establish a solid foundation for your compensation claim.
• Work with expert witnesses – Experienced lawyers often develop working relationships with medical professionals, vocational experts, and accident reconstruction specialists, who can provide expert testimony regarding the causes and effects of a particular accident.
• Communicate on your behalf – An attorney can speak on your behalf and help you avoid making any statements to an insurance company or other attorneys that could undermine your case.
• Manage important deadlines and documents – Your lawyer can manage important paperwork and keep track of deadlines to be sure your claim isn’t derailed by avoidable errors or late filings.
• Negotiate on your behalf – Attorneys are experienced negotiators. A skilled lawyer at Kendall Law Firm won’t be afraid to stand up to big insurance companies on your behalf to demand full compensation for you. A lawyer can negotiate forcefully for you to receive compensation that accounts for all of your accident-related losses.
• Represent you in court – If the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, Kendall Law Firm will be prepared to take your case to court and present your case to a Virginia jury.

Contact Kendall Law Firm Today

If you were involved in a Virginia car accident and need a compassionate lawyer by your side, look no further than Kendall Law Firm. Our attorneys have experience handling many different types of car accident claims on behalf of clients throughout Winchester, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and surrounding areas of Virginia.

To discuss the details of your Virginia car accident claim with an experienced lawyer, call us at (866) 590-9773 or contact us online today to get started with your free case review.