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Rolando Cantu is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu. He is committed to providing aggressive and high level legal representation—successfully defending clients charged with state and federal criminal offenses. He works on every case as a priority with personal attention, while prioritizing their needs. 

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Types of Traffic Accidents: An Overview

Jun 04, 2022

Types of Traffic Accidents: An Overview

Traffic accidents can happen in a variety of ways. No matter where you are, chances are that you have experienced some kind of traffic accident. Even in a well-developed nation, accidents do happen often because there are millions of vehicles on the road, and they all need a driver. In most cases, it may be a minor collision, but depending on how serious it is and the type of vehicle involved in the crash, the injuries could be serious. Some accidents involve substantial property damage as well.


In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the different types of traffic accidents that can occur. We will also discuss some of the most common causes of these accidents. If you are interested in learning more about traffic accidents, then this is the blog post for you!

Types of Traffic Accidents

There are many kinds of traffic accidents that drivers may experience and it is important for drivers to know about the different types of accidents so that they can take precautionary and defensive measures to prevent them from happening. The following are the different types of traffic accidents:

Motor Vehicle Collisions

The most common type of traffic accident is a motor vehicle collision, which occurs when two or more vehicles collide with each other. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as distracted driving, speeding, or simply not paying attention to the road. Motor vehicle collisions can range from minor fender benders to serious accidents that result in injuries or even death.


You might also be interested: The Three Types of Car Accident Injuries: What You Need to Know

Rear-End Crashes

Car accidents can also happen when one vehicle rear-ends another. This is most often caused by distracted driving or following too closely. Rear-end crashes can range from minor to serious, depending on the speed of the vehicles involved and whether there was any damage to the vehicles.

Head-On Crashes

Fatal crashes can also occur when two vehicles collide head-on with each other. This is most often caused by distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Head-on crashes are usually very serious and can often result in death.


The most common cause of head-on crashes is driver error, such as failing to yield right-of-way or following too closely.


Head-on collisions can be especially dangerous because they tend to occur at higher speeds than other types of accidents and often involve injuries from the impact itself (rather than from falling or rolling).

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are often the most serious types of automobile accidents. In these events, the vehicle rolls over or is "tipped over" by the force of another vehicle or object colliding with it.


Rollover accidents can occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle and it flips onto its roof or side. These types of accidents may also occur if a driver drives over an uneven road surface or hits a pothole; they can also occur in situations where vehicles collide with each other.


In many cases, rollovers lead to injuries that include broken bones and soft tissue damage such as bruises and lacerations. Rollovers can also cause brain injury, spinal cord injury and internal bleeding if the victim does not wear a seat belt properly at all times while driving. Rollover accidents can often be very serious and may even result in death.

Side-Impact Crashes

Side-impact crashes, also known as T-bone accidents, are another type of traffic accident that can be dangerous. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of car accident. They account for about one out of every four car accidents in the U.S., according to National Safety Council data.


Side-impact crashes occur when one vehicle hits another from the side. These accidents often occur when a driver attempts to change lanes or turn onto another road, and a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction fails to yield or does not react quickly enough.


Side-impact crashes can result in serious injuries for both drivers and passengers, including head trauma, spinal cord injuries and broken bones. The severity of these types of injuries varies depending on the speed of impact and where it occurs on your body — for example, if your head is struck by another vehicle's bumper or hood during a side-impact crash then you're more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury than if your shoulder hit another vehicle's door frame during an impact.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Accidents

Accidents can also occur between vehicles and pedestrians or bicycles. This is most often caused by the driver not paying attention to the road or failing to yield to the pedestrian or bicycle. Pedestrian/bicycle accidents can often result in serious injuries, especially if the vehicle was going fast at the time of the accident.


Pedestrian and bicycle accidents are becoming more common in our society. This is due to a number of reasons, including the fact that more people are walking and biking for recreation and exercise. In addition, there are more bike lanes and sidewalks being constructed as cities become more eco-friendly. However, many people still do not use safety equipment when walking or biking on these new bike lanes or sidewalks.


Pedestrian/bicycle accidents are typically caused by negligent drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians or bicyclists in crosswalks or intersections. These accidents can also occur when a bicyclist fails to stop at a stop sign or traffic light.


Read: Who Is at Fault in a Bike Accident Case?

Causes of Traffic Accidents

Every year, thousands of people around the world die in traffic accidents. The amount of damage occurring due to these mishaps is enormous, affecting not just the lives of countless victims who were unfortunate enough to meet with them, but also the families and friends of those who perished – not to mention all the other people who were witness to the incident.


Car accident fatalities have been on the rise in recent years, and there are a number of possible explanations for this trend. Now that we have seen some types of car accidents let's look at some of the causes of traffic accidents.

Reckless driving

Reckless driving includes speeding, tailgating, running red lights and stop signs, making illegal turns, and weaving in and out of traffic.


Reckless driving is the number one contributing factor in traffic accidents. The thing is, many people do not seem to realize how their actions affect others on the roads with them. Speeding, for example, not only endangers the lives of the driver and passengers in the speeding vehicle, but also everyone else on the road.

DWI and DUI

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, but it is also one of the leading causes of traffic accidents.


DWI and DUI accidents often involve drunk driving accidents, but they can also involve drug-impaired driving. Both of these types of accidents often result in serious injuries or death.ï»ż

Many people do not realize the dangers of driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. They may think that they can drive just fine, but the reality is that their reaction time is slowed, their judgment is impaired, and they are more likely to make mistakes that could lead to an accident.


For this cases, we recommend that if you are going to drink, make sure to have a designated driver. If you are taking medication that could impair your driving, make sure to check with your doctor first. Also you might want to seek for a  DWI experienced attorney to represent you.


To learn more about this kind of accident causes, you can read:  5 things you need to know about DWI charges in Texas

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common contributing factors in traffic accidents. Speed limits are put in place for a reason – to keep everyone on the road safe.


Many people choose to speed because they are in a hurry or they want to get somewhere faster. However, speeding is extremely dangerous and often leads to serious accidents.


Speed limits are in place for a reason – to keep everyone on the road safe. Speeding is not only illegal, but it is also one of the leading causes of traffic accidents.


Also read: Factors the Prosecutor Must Show to Prove Reckless Driving

Weaving in and out of traffic

One common cause of traffic accidents is weaving in and out of traffic. This is when drivers attempt to pass another vehicle by crossing the center line into oncoming traffic. This can be dangerous because it increases the chances that the driver will be hit by another car or truck. It also means that other drivers may not be able to see them until too late to avoid a collision.


Weaving in and out of traffic is dangerous because it can lead to head-on collisions, sideswipes, and rear-end collisions.

Distracted driving

Distracted driving can include eating or drinking, using a cell phone, putting on makeup, changing the radio station or looking at something inside the car. Distractions can also come from outside of the vehicle like other drivers not paying attention or kids running around near the street.


in Texas, for example, texting while driving is against the law, as well as any other type of cell phone use.


You might also be interested: How do you Determine Who is At Fault in a Car Accident?

Climate and weather conditions

Climate and weather conditions can affect the number of traffic accidents in a given year. For example, it is well known that more accidents occur at night than during the day, partly due to poor visibility and other factors such as alcohol consumption. Other factors include road surfaces, road design, and driver behaviour. Driver behaviour includes both the physical aspects of driving such as speed and reaction time, but also psychological or emotional aspects such as fatigue, distraction or aggression.


The following are some examples of how climate can affect traffic accidents:


Heavy rainfall can make sections of the road slippery and dangerous for drivers. Rain also affects visibility because raindrops on windscreens can greatly reduce visibility for drivers. This can lead to more accidents where drivers do not see each other until too late. Heavy rains also affect the condition of roads which may become flooded or slippery with mud or puddles of water which could cause vehicles to skid off the road or leave their lane without warning.


Heat waves can cause problems with engine cooling systems which can lead to engine failure while driving on hot days. This can lead to loss of control over vehicles which could lead to accidents if they hit another vehicle or object in their path; however this is unlikely as most cars have electronic engine management systems which will shut down the engine before it overheats to avoid this type of problem.


Snow and ice can make roads slippery and difficult to drive on. This can lead to more accidents because drivers have less control over their vehicles. Snow and ice can also reduce visibility, so it is important for drivers to be extra careful when driving in these conditions.


Windy conditions can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles, especially if they are driving large vehicles such as trucks or buses. This can lead to more accidents because the driver may not be able to keep the vehicle in their lane or may not be able to stop in time if they need to.

Poorly maintained roads

The condition of the road surface can have a significant impact on the safety of your journey. If it is cracked or uneven, it can make driving difficult, especially in bad weather conditions. If there are potholes in the road, then this can cause a vehicle to swerve out of control or lose control altogether. It is important that roads are maintained properly so that they are safe for all road users.

Get yourself a Texas car accident lawyer

Knowing types of traffic accidents is the first step to preventing them. Avoiding these kinds of accidents will help drivers have a safe ride and be able to enjoy time spent with family or friends on the road.


Fatal car accidents and traffic fatalities are a leading cause of death in the United States. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, it is important to get a Texas car accident lawyer to help you with your case. No matter what type of accident you were involved in, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced car accident attorney in Texas to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Car accident attorneys can help you recover damages for severe injuries, lost wages, and property damage. They can also help you negotiate with insurance companies to get the best possible settlement for your case.


If you have been involved in a car accident, don't hesitate to contact the Law Office of Rolando Cantu and get a free initial consultation today!

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