Common Car Accident Scenarios

If you live in Florida, you know how dangerous it can be to drive in the state. Unfortunately, even the most careful of drivers could end up injured in a car accident, in which case, he or she may need to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. There’s no way to predict what kind of car crash a person will be involved in, but we’ve included some of the most common in Florida to help you prepare.

Head-On Crashes

Head-on collisions, which occur when the front ends of two vehicles collide, are some of the most devastating of crashes, as they have one of the highest fatality rates of any kind of crash. Frustratingly, these collisions are almost always the result of driver error. Speeding and passing illegally can result in head-on collisions, as can drunk driving and falling asleep at the wheel.

T-Bone Accidents

An estimated 40 percent of car accidents occur in intersections. While many of these crashes are fender benders and rear-end collisions, a significant number fall under the category of T-bone, or side impact crashes. This kind of crash occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another at a perpendicular angle, making a T-shape. While less deadly than head-on collisions, t-bone accidents can still lead to serious injuries, as the sides of vehicles are one of the least protected areas of a car. These crashes often result in head trauma, shoulder and hip injuries, lacerations, and even hearing loss.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are another common intersection accident that occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the rear of another. Even a minor rear-end accident can result in significant property damage and serious injuries. The latter often affect the neck and back due to the whiplash-like movement that these kinds of accidents cause.

Rollover Crashes

Rollover accidents have been occurring more and more in recent years, as driving high profile vehicles like trucks and SUVs continues to be a popular trend. While they don’t occur as often as some of the other kinds of collisions on this list, they account for one-third of all vehicle occupant fatalities. Rollover accidents can occur in one of two ways, either by tripping or non-tripping. Tripped rollovers happen when a vehicle actually strikes another object, causing it to roll, while non-tripped accidents are usually the result of a vehicle defect.

Hit and Run Accidents

Another common type of car accident in Florida are hit and run crashes, which are thought to account for nearly 25 percent of collisions in Florida. Unlike the other car accidents we’ve discussed in this post, hit and run accidents often only involve vehicle damage. It is not unheard of, however, for a hit and run accident to involve physical injuries, some of which could prove severe. This is a lot more common when the victims are cyclists or pedestrians, who are much less protected in the event of a collision. Leaving the scene of an accident is not only dangerous, but also illegal in Florida.

Call Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Legal Team

Call 945-566-9919 to speak with one of the dedicated Florida car accident lawyers at Boone & Davis about your case.

Sources:

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811366

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View