Types of Car Accidents

Common Car Collision Scenarios

Accidents can occur in many different situations. One car can collide with one or more cars; multiple cars can pile up subsequently; or one car can hit a barrier in the road or on the side of the road.

When evaluating the scene of an accident and determining which party is at fault, one of the factors that has to be taken into consideration is how and by whom the collision was caused. Our auto accident lawyers in New Orleans can assist you in the evaluation process.

Most car accidents occur close to home, in neighborhood parking lots or during a daily commute. Common causes include negligence due to fatigue or distraction, environmental conditions, and medical or emotional impairment. Being aware of what can cause a car accident and how they occur may help you prevent it from happening in the future.

Although every accident is different, you may have experienced one of the many common collision scenarios below.

Rear-end collisions

Rear-end collisions are caused by sudden breaking or slowing down of the preceding car or by sudden acceleration of the car behind it. One of the most common injuries of rear-end collisions is whiplash. The driver of the car rear-ending the other car is typically responsible, unless the other driver is hitting the car behind it while backing up. The party at fault should be held accountable for compensation.

Side-impact or intersectional collisions

Injuries and damages in this type of collision tend to be severe, varying in degree based on the types of vehicles involved as well as their safety features and the speed at which the collision occurred. Injuries sustained from a front- or rear-end crash are usually less harmful.

Low-Speed impact collisions

Low-Speed impact collisions are defined as accidents at a speed of less than 10 miles per hour. Fender-benders and bumps can happen at 1 mile per hour. The most common injury in this type of accident is whiplash.

Sideswipe collisions

Sideswipe collisions occur when two parallel cars touch each other. If both vehicles are facing the same direction, these collisions typically only result in minor scrapes and no injuries of the occupants.

Vehicle rollover 

Vehicle rollover occurs when a vehicle flips to the side or on its roof, most likely when taking a sharp turn and at a higher speed. SUVs are at greater risk for this type of accident than other vehicles because of their higher center of gravity.

Head-on collisions 

Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles hit each other front-ended. These types of collisions are often fatal because of the direct impact on the occupants.

Single car accidents

Single car accidents occur when one vehicle hits a fixed object, such as a pole, tree, fire hydrant, lamp post, etc.

Multi-vehicle pile-ups

Multi-vehicle pile-ups often occur on freeways or highways. They are the most dangerous type of collision because they are the hardest to escape, and if a fire breaks out in one of the vehicles, it may quickly spread to the others. Cars often spin and repeatedly hit other cars. Drivers leaving their vehicles are at a higher risk of being injured by other cars. Causes of multi-vehicle pile-ups can be difficult to determine.

Intersectional collisions

Intersectional collisions are one of the most common in Louisiana, most often caused by a sudden left turn.