George K.
Have you ever gotten in a fender bender?
While car accidents may seem alarmingly common, it’s important to keep in mind that not all accidents are the same, and most accidents don’t result in a lot of damage or injuries.
Ready to learn more about the most common types of collisions out there? Here is everything you need to know about the main types of car accidents.
Low-Speed Accidents
Any accident that takes place while you’re traveling at or below 10 MPH is a “low-speed” accident and is one the most common type of car accidents there is.
These types of accidents include bumping into a car in a parking lot and slight fender benders at stop signs. Low-speed accidents usually do not result in a lot of damage. You may wind up having to deal with a scratch, dent, or another minor superficial harm, the likelihood of injury or significant structural damage is pretty low when you’re traveling under 10 MPH.
Rear-End Collisions
Odds are, you or someone you know has pulled up to a stoplight too fast, failed to notice the brake lights up ahead, or have had someone smash into the back of their car. Roughly 30% of all drivers will wind up in a rear-end collision at some point during their time on the road, making the rear-end collision the most common type of car accident.
That said, unlike low-speed accidents, rear-end collisions can potentially result in a lot of damage and severe injury.
A rear-end collision could be a slight fender bender caused by someone getting a little too close to the back of your car, or it could be a distracted driver totaling your car by hitting your bumper at 45 MPH. The one thing that connects rear-end collisions is the location of the impact.
Single Car Accidents
Some people don’t consider this type of collision a “car accident,” but as long as one car is involved, that’s what it is. A single-car accident is just what it sounds like; an accident involving a single driver. These types of accidents generally include things like backing your car into a streetlamp or veering into a tree.
Depending on the amount of damage and what you hit, there’s a good chance you won’t have to report the accident to your insurance company, which means this is the only type of accident that may not make your insurance rates go up.
Cross-Traffic Collisions
Finally, another primary type of car accident is the cross-traffic accident, which includes the potentially devastating t-bone.
While cross-traffic collisions may not be the most common, they are by and large the most dangerous type of car accident for two reasons: speed and the point of impact. One of the main reasons fender benders aren’t scary is because they involve the bumper. Bumpers are designed for bumping into things, so they can absorb a lot of the impact and protect you and the car from extensive damage.
But, if a car runs a red light and hits the side of your car — there’s a good chance the place they hit is not meant to take a direct impact like that, which means the accident will result in a lot of damage.
Any time you’re involved in a car accident, you need to make sure you have the right person in your corner to defend you. Click here to get the facts on how to find the best car accident lawyer for you.
The Most Common Types of Car Accidents
Now that you know a bit more about the different types of car accidents you can get into, you’ll be able to better protect and prepare yourself while out on the road.
Are you looking for a little more advice on how to be a safe driver? We’ve got you covered! Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles today!
