Knowing the most common types of car accidents can help you drive defensively and avoid crashes caused by careless drivers. If a negligent motorist hits you, understanding why these accidents happen can help you provide clearer reasons for why you aren’t at fault.
Learn more about the most common kinds of car accidents in the State of Illinois and across the nation. Also, find out how The Collins Law Firm may be able to help you get fair compensation after a car crash.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) releases annual data with recent accident statistics. In 2022, there were 298,347 total crashes in Illinois. Of these, the most common type of car accident was rear-end collisions.
Here are the totals for the top five types of crashes:
“Angle” collisions, otherwise known as T-bone accidents, nearly made the top five, with 29,263 reported.
Each city also has its own rankings, but the most common accidents in Chicago (in order) are rear-end collisions, parked car crashes, same-direction sideswipes, turning accidents and T-bone collisions.
Large city streets had the highest percentage of wrecks. By driver age, 18-year-olds had the highest rate of accidents, but those aged 19 experienced the most accidents involving injuries and fatalities.
National rankings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration differ from Illinois’ numbers. The top spots for 2022 are:
Single-vehicle crashes even had the greatest share of fatal crashes, followed by T-bone and head-on collisions.
By understanding the common causes of accidents, you can be more vigilant in specific situations, such as intersections or heavy traffic, and protect yourself and your passengers from harm.
Now, let’s look at why these common car accidents happen and some defensive driving tips to avoid them.
Rear-impact crashes have long been one of the most common types of accidents due to driver inattention. Unfortunately, distracted and fatigued driving are major causes. Tailgating also raises the risk of rear-end collisions, especially in heavy traffic.
Rear-end collisions often lead to injuries, but the majority of these are not severe. The occupants of the front vehicle usually suffer the worst consequences, like whiplash and other neck, back and shoulder injuries. However, high-speed rear-end crashes can cause life-threatening injuries.
To avoid these accidents, let tailgaters pass you and avoid brake-checking the driver behind you. Don’t follow other vehicles too closely or drive too fast because doing so will put you in situations where you have to slam on your brakes.
Left-hand turns are the most dangerous turns in the U.S. A driver may try to beat the stop light or misjudge oncoming traffic and turn too slowly, causing a collision. Right-turn accidents are more common when cyclists and pedestrians are crossing the street.
Patience and being ready to yield can help you avoid crashes caused by drivers making unsafe turns. Stay alert to avoid accidents involving drivers or pedestrians to your right.
Sideswipes often happen when a driver tries to turn or change lanes before checking for traffic in adjacent lanes. Others may try to cut across multiple lanes unsafely.
These side impacts can easily turn into more serious car accidents if one vehicle is pushed or spun into another, causing a T-bone or head-on collision. Low-speed sideswipes may only cause vehicle damage.
Lower the odds of getting sideswiped by not riding in clusters of cars close together on the highway, also known as “wolf packs.” Keep a safe distance from erratic drivers. You should also be ready to use your horn or have an escape plan if someone starts veering into your lane.
Single-vehicle collisions are typically the result of driver negligence, such as a distraction or drunk driving. However, they can also occur when someone has left an obstruction on or near the road. Animals suddenly crossing the street or falling debris could also lead to a single-vehicle accident. A driver may swerve off the road and hit a fixed object.
Driving at a safe speed for conditions is a strategy for avoiding single-vehicle wrecks. Slow down even more than the speed limit requires when you have reduced visibility. Stay extra alert near areas where animals may cross or where debris may collect.
T-bone collisions happen when one vehicle directly hits the side of another. These are most common at intersections when one party doesn’t yield the right of way and runs a stop sign or red light.
These accidents cause some of the worst injuries, especially for the vehicle occupants on the side of the impact. Brain, spine and organ damage are more likely, and a T-bone accident may even result in a deadly rollover.
T-bone crashes are very hard to avoid because they usually blindside the accident victim. Stay extra alert at intersections and anywhere traffic is entering your road.
Head-on collisions are also some of the most fatal crashes. They happen when one vehicle veers out of its lane into oncoming traffic or turns the wrong way onto a one-way street. Drunk or distracted drivers are more susceptible to head-on crashes than unimpaired motorists.
Similar to T-bone crashes, head-on collisions are hard to anticipate. Your best defense is to remain alert at all times and drive more cautiously if you suspect you’re approaching an impaired driver.
If another driver’s negligence causes an accident that injures you, you have the right to file a claim with their insurance or take them to court for damages. Family members can file wrongful death suits for someone who died in an accident.
In Illinois, you have up to two years from the date of the crash to file your claim. After that, you typically lose the right to seek compensation. The personal injury attorneys at The Collins Law Firm can help you submit your paperwork on time and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you’re injured in a car accident, you may be able to recover various types of compensation, including:
Obtaining and filing the paperwork that meets the burden of proof for these damages can be hard to do when you’re injured. With our team’s help, you can spend more time on your recovery while we handle the details.
The safest drivers still face the risk of an accident when they get on the road. When a collision is not your fault, you have every right to take legal steps to seek financial recovery for your losses.
Contact our office for a free legal review of your case and find out how The Collins Law Firm can support you.
Photo by Daryan Shamkhali on Unsplash
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