Common Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents bring trauma, injury, stress, and anxiety regardless of their size or severity. When serious injuries occur, the trauma and stress are heightened for both parties.

There are many types of car accidents, some minor and others with the potential for greater physical as well as emotional damage. Here are the most common types of car accidents and how they occur to help you avoid being a victim injured in a crash.

Single Vehicle Accidents

Most accidents involve multiple vehicles, but some accidents do occur when only the driver’s vehicle is involved. These accidents often happen when the driver swerves to miss an object or animal in the road and crashes.

In some cases, the driver is liable and at other times, as in the case of vehicle or part defects or damaged roadways or signage, the driver is not at fault.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions often occur as a result of a car following another car too closely or a car in the lead position suddenly stopping. Rear-end collisions are most common on interstates and highways where traffic is moving faster or stop and go traffic patterns are common. This type of crash is common, occurring at slower speeds, but can still cause serious injuries. Rear-end collisions can be prevented by keeping a safe distance between cars and being aware of the vehicles all sides.

Common rear-end injuries and its symptoms include:

• Whiplash – pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, back, or arms
• Neck injuries – muscle spasms, muscle tightness, headaches, numbness, weakness, or tingling
• Back injuries – muscle ache, shooting or stabbing pain, or pain that radiates down your leg (also, weakness, numbness, or tingling)

Side-impact Collisions

Side-impact collisions, also known as broadside or T-bone crashes, occur when one vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle.

This type of accident often happens at intersections where one driver ignores a traffic signal or sign to stop or yield to oncoming traffic. Side-impact collisions are caused by driver negligence and can be avoided by following traffic rules and taking extra care around intersections.

Whiplash and neck injuries are common T-bone collision injuries. Chiropractic care provides a safe and effective way to help heal these painful injuries.

Head-on Collisions

Head-on collisions happen when vehicles hit one another while driving in opposite directions. Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes often resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities.

Speed often plays a role in head-on collisions with speed impacts doubled as a result of the cars’ front ends crashing. Drivers can avoid head-on collisions if they pay close attention and follow traffic signs, road markings, and rules of the road. Avoiding distractions such as texting, eating, and drinking while driving is also helpful.

Most common head-on collisions include:

• Whiplash
• Neck injuries
• Head injuries (tension and cluster headaches)

Rollovers

Rollovers, like head-on collisions, are very dangerous crashes in which a car turns over onto its side or roof. Vehicles roll for a variety of reasons and can result in life-threatening injuries and catastrophic fatalities. Rollovers are often a result of excessive speed, sudden turns, or swerving quickly to avoid objects, individuals, or animals in the roadway. They often occur on wet or slipper roads as a result of driving too fast in inclement weather conditions. Alcohol and drug use may also be a factor in rollover crashes.

Muscle strains and whiplash are common injuries in rollover collisions. Rollover collisions are most likely to result in serious injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in a rollover collision, the team at County Line Chiropractor is here to help relieve your aches and pains through various natural treatments.

Side-Swiping Accidents

Side-swiping accidents often occur in merging traffic or during lane changes as a result of drivers failing to check blind spots prior to moving into a new lane of traffic. Side-swiping can be avoided by checking all blind spots before merging. High speed may also be a factor in this type of accident.

Hit and Run Accidents

Hit and run accidents are less common but can still cause serious injury. Should you be involved in a hit and run, you should try to gather as much information – license plate, description of the other car involved, damage to both vehicles as well as witness information, and the time, cause, and location of the accident.

Don’t try to follow the driver who is fleeing the scene, as you may be injured and require medical attention, even if you don’t feel pain immediately. Regardless of the severity of your injury, chiropractic care can provide pain relief without drugs.

Getting the Help You Need After an Accident

Regardless of the type of accident you’ve been in, call on the team at County Line Chiropractic Medical and Rehab for the help you need to recover quickly and completely.