Most road collisions have the potential to be catastrophic, and even minor accidents can be devastating for those involved. However, some accident types are far deadlier than others. In most cases, high-speed accidents usually lead to fatalities as the impact is extreme. Four main accident types are considered the most severe regardless of the speed the vehicles are traveling at.
Suppose you have been involved in a car accident. In that case, whether minor or severe, you can consult Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers to find an expert injury lawyer to handle your case for you. In addition, knowing the most severe accident types will help you enhance your vigilance and improve your driving habits to avoid potentially severe or fatal collisions.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are considered the most severe type of road accident worldwide, regardless of the type of vehicles involved or the speed that the cars are traveling before impact. Even if both vehicles are traveling at about thirty miles per hour before colliding head-on, creating an impact that is equal to sixty miles per hour, the accident can be fatal. However, the severity of head-on collisions does heighten if either one of the vehicles is speeding.
Unfortunately, head-on collisions are not only the most severe, as they also the most common accident types and account for a high total of over ten percent of accident fatalities in the United States alone. These accidents often occur when drivers attempt to overtake, moving towards oncoming traffic. They also happen when traffic light signals are ignored, and drivers cannot stop in time to make way for other drivers. Even though low-speed head-on collisions can be severe, speeding remains a leading cause in this type of collision as speeding reduces reaction time and the ability to be vigilant when driving.
Side Impact Collisions
While vehicles generally come with bumper systems that protect the driver and passengers from some of the impacts of front and rear collisions, the same systems are not in place for the side of the vehicle. The side doors of most cars are exceptionally flimsy, and airbags provide little protection if they are installed in the doors. Side impact collisions usually happen at intersections, when drivers are exiting their driveways, and in other instances, a vehicle could be speeding past from the side. The impact can be extreme due to a lack of protection. And the severity of the collision is determined by the vehicle’s speed that collides into the other car’s side.
Unfortunately, the car that has been broadsided will endure more damage, and the driver and passengers will experience more severe injuries and have a higher risk of fatality. Side impact accidents are the second most common type of severe road accident, accounting for almost thirty percent of all accidents in the US. Unfortunately, these accidents have a higher fatality rate at just over twenty percent.
Striking An Object Head-On
Head-on collisions can be deadly, and the effects of a head-on collision can be even more severe when a speeding vehicle hits a solid object, such as a wall or even a parked vehicle. Unfortunately, even if the car is not speeding, hitting an object head-on can leave the driver in critical condition. Whether traveling by car, motorcycle, or even truck, striking an object head-on is extremely dangerous for the driver and any passengers. Because the driver is hitting an object with no give, the severity is heightened as there is nothing to absorb any impact. Several cases in which drivers have hit an object head-on at low speeds and been critically injured. Vigilance and following the recommended speed limit is the best way to avoid this type of unfortunate road accident.
Keep in mind that different states, counties, and cities may have different speed limits and laws regarding reckless driving. In Las Vegas, Nevada, for instance, the speed limit in residential areas can be as low as 25 miles per hour, and the penalties for reckless driving are much more severe. And if you find yourself in an accident, be sure to contact Leading car accident attorneys in Las Vegas, NV to help you get the compensation you deserve
Run-Off-Road Accidents
Run-off-road accidents are also known as roadway departure collisions, and they can be severe. These are single-vehicle accidents, and they can be deadly. What’s more, run off the road accidents account for a staggering total of over thirty percent of accidents in America, and almost twenty percent of these accidents result in fatal injuries. Unfortunately, these road accidents are far more common than they should be.
The most common contributing factors to run-off-road accidents are lousy weather, vehicle over-compensations, and bad road conditions. Speeding is another high factor that increases the risks of a roadway departure accident. Moreover, these accidents can be hazardous as the vehicle that runs off the road can then hit an object head-on and endure severe damages. Unfortunately, drowsy driving, distracted driving, and drunk driving are other contributing factors that substantially enhance drivers’ risks.
Safe Driving Can Save Your Life
There’s no doubt that how you drive will influence your risk as a driver on the roads. Unfortunately, lousy driving habits such as ignoring the recommended speed limits, overtaking vehicles on the wrong side, overlooking your blind-spot checks, and indulging in alcohol or other mind-altering substances will enhance your risks substantially of being involved in a collision.
With that said, even some of the safest and most cautious drivers out there still find themselves involved in collisions. This is unfortunately due to the recklessness of other drivers. For this reason, you should consider the level of safety that your vehicle provides, as some cars are significantly safer than others. You may find that your vehicle does not have side door airbags, or perhaps it lacks in other areas of safety. If this is the case and your car is not ideally safe, you could consider investing in a safer vehicle or adding safety features to your current vehicle.
Another excellent way to reduce your risk on the roads is to invest in advanced driving courses that will help you develop crucial driving skills. These courses teach you how to react in various situations on the road, such as properly maneuvering your vehicle in terrible weather conditions and numerous others. Advanced driving might not be mandatory in any country, although the skills you develop will ultimately heighten your safety on the roads.
