Common San Diego Car Accidents
Rear impact crashes are one of the most common types of car accidents. These accidents can range from fender-benders to more comprehensive accidents that can total both vehicles. These accidents typically occur when one car strikes a car in front of it from the rear.
In most cases, the rear car does not brake in time to avoid collision with the car out in front. Even if the car in front stops suddenly, the rear vehicle should be following with enough space to stop in time to avoid a collision.
In some instances, a rear car may be forced into the car in front against the driver's will or because of some other impact, such as when a third car strikes the rear vehicle and pushes it into another collision. Liability will usually fall to the third vehicle in these multi-car accident instances. About 30% of car accidents involve rear impacts.
A side-impact car crash occurs when one car hits the side of the other by:
- switching lanes and causing a collision;
- running a stop sign or red light and directly hitting the side of another car or
- by losing control of the car and skidding into the side of another vehicle by accident.
About 29% of car accidents are caused by side impacts.
All San Diego Car Accidents are Tragic Events
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous car accidents in San Diego and occur when two vehicles hit one another, both in the front portions of the cars. Sometimes, a head-on collision occurs when one car strikes a stationary object.With two cars, however, it is most frequently the case that a head-on crash occurs when one vehicle accidentally crosses the center line and drives into oncoming traffic, causing a collision. According to the NHTSA, head-on collisions occur in 2% of all crashes.
When a car flips onto its side or roof, it's considered a rollover accident, which occurs as the result of:
- a rear-impact;
- side-impact;
- head-on collision, or
- if the vehicle attempts a sharp turn while driving at high speeds.
Sport utility vehicles and trucks are the most likely to tip over. As a result, many of these vehicles have attempted to reduce certain steering wheel capabilities to prevent sharp turning at high speeds. Rollovers comprise a little more than 2% of all accidents but constitute a disproportionately higher number of deaths.
There are other types of accidents, but these are among the most common and constitute the most accidents and injuries per year in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you have been injured in an accident, document the type of collision you have been involved in and make that information available to your San Diego car accident lawyer.