What Types of Car Accidents Are the Most Fatal?
June 17, 2022
Over 30,000 people die each year in car accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 38,000 accident fatalities in 2020 and more than 36,000 fatalities in 2019.
Out of all the car accident fatalities in 2020, 45 percent were due to risky driving behaviors. These behaviors were speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, and alcohol intoxication. Human error is usually a key factor in fatal car accidents.
Any car accident could be fatal. Various factors, however, may come into play. A person’s health is always a consideration.
The rate of speed is a crucial factor in any car accident. The faster the speed of travel, the higher the chance of it being fatal. No matter what protection a car may offer, there is little protection against a collision at a high rate of speed.
Seat belts are proven to reduce car accident fatalities, yet too many drivers and passengers still do not wear them. In most cases, wearing a seat belt gives a person a far better chance of surviving a car accident than not wearing one.
The best course of action to avoid a severe injury or death from a car accident is to prevent one by driving responsibly. Refraining from drinking alcohol or driving while tired could easily save your life. You also want to pay attention. According to the NHTSA, in 2020, more than 3,100 people lost their lives due to driving while distracted. Texting, eating, and drinking beverages are all major distractions.
The most common types of fatal car accidents are listed below.
Rear-End Car Accidents
A rear-end crash often happens due to bad weather or a driver’s negligence. Although whiplash is the most common injury in rear-end accidents, a spinal cord injury is also common. The unexpectedness of a rear-end collision can lessen the chance of reacting in time and lead to serious injuries.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents have a high death rate. This is because the occupants of a rollover vehicle are thrown in multiple directions. The chance of suffering a neck or head injury also increases, and a person could be more easily ejected from a car. It may be worth considering purchasing a vehicle that is less likely to roll. An SUV or top-heavy truck, for instance, is more likely to roll.
T-Bone Accidents
Regardless of airbags, the sheer impact of a T-bone accident could cause a fatality. These types of crashes often happen at intersections, and the results are usually deadly. For instance, a person running a red light could cause a T-bone collision, with virtually no chance for a driver to lessen the impact.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions usually cause serious injuries or death. You can double the impact speed if both cars are traveling at the same rate. Head-on collisions are probably the most dangerous type of car accident.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Will Fight for Your Rights After a Severe Collision
If you have a car accident injury, speak with one of our skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Call us at 215-569-9100 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.