What Accidents Produce The Most Severe Injuries?

Motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries in Maryland. Although no two accidents are alike, they usually fall into common categories, producing typical injuries suffered by victims.

EIGHT TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Although you’ll find no complex category rules for motor vehicle accidents, these collisions exhibit typical patterns. Identifying how accidents happen can help drivers avoid them. These are the eight general categories:

• Single-vehicle
• Multi-vehicle
• Rear impact
• Frontal impact
• Lateral impact or T-bone
• Rotational impact
• Sideswipe
• Rollover collision

Single-vehicle accidents frequently occur when a driver swerves to avoid another vehicle or an animal. They can also occur due to driver drowsiness. Multi-vehicle accidents, sometimes called chain collisions, involve three or more vehicles, with injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic. Rear impact accidents are one of the most common, resulting from driver inattention. While not common, frontal impact accidents frequently result in severe injuries and fatalities. Distracted driving also causes lateral impact accidents, usually occurring at intersections. In rotational impact accidents, vehicles spin around and often hit several others, causing various injuries. Sideswipes happen as initial impacts, frequently leading to head-on collisions. Rollovers happen when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof, sometimes with catastrophic results.

WHY ACCIDENTS OCCUR

Causes of accidents resulting in personal injuries are not always readily apparent. However, most involve some neglect by one or more drivers. Distracted driving, especially when using devices behind the wheel, speeding, failing to yield, running red lights and impaired driving are underlying causes. Inexperience and dangerous road conditions can also contribute.

If you have been severely injured because of negligence, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Successful claims can help pay for medical treatments, living expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering while you recover.