San Diego Car Accident Lawyers

Most Common Types of Car Accidents

Many different types of car accidents can occur, and the injuries and property damages sustained in an accident can vary depending on the type of accident. Our experienced San Diego car accident lawyers have seen a variety of car accidents over the years and have compiled a list of some of the most common types of accidents:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end car accidents are the most frequent type of car accident, accounting for 29% of all crashes. They occur when one car hits the back bumper of another vehicle. Generally, the driver that rear-ends another car is at fault.

T-Bone Collisions

A T-bone collision is a type of car accident that occurs when another vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle forming a “T”. This type of accident can be dangerous, especially for the passenger or driver located on the side where the collision occurred. This accident may happen when negligent drivers fail to yield, or run red lights or stop signs.

Head-On Collisions

One of the most dangerous types of car accidents is a head-on collision. This happens when two cars are moving towards each other and crashing into each other. The force of the impact is much stronger because of the direction in which both vehicles are traveling. This type of accident may result in severe injuries and worse case scenarios, death.

Sideswipes

Sideswipes typically occur when two vehicles are traveling next to each other, and one car tries to overtake the other and fails to merge into the lane properly, resulting in a collision. This may also occur when a negligent driver does not notice the other car on the road.

Chain Reaction Accidents

Auto crashes involving three or more vehicles, also known as multi-vehicle accidents, are usually the result of rear-end collisions. These types of accidents may be more complicated than other car accidents because there are usually more injured parties. If you have been involved in such an accident, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney to help guide you through the legal process.

Rollover Accidents

Several factors could lead to a rollover accident. This type of accident often leads to very serious injuries for the victim as they can result in fires from spilled fuel or spinal cord injuries. In most cases, these accidents will also result in fatalities or some form of permanent disability.

Single Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle accidents often occur when a driver collides with a stationary object, such as a street lamp or fence. Additionally, poor weather conditions can also lead to single-vehicle accidents.

Low-Speed Accidents

Low-speed accidents usually occur at 10 miles per hour or less and are the result of drivers trying to navigate through small spaces. Accidents that occur at low speeds often result in minor injuries or property damage.

Most Common Reasons for Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents are caused by many different factors. In many cases, they are the result of driver error or negligence. Knowing the most common reasons for car accidents can help to prevent them from happening in the future.

1. Speeding – Speeding is a common cause of car accidents. It can be difficult for drivers to act correctly in time to avoid an accident or hazard when they are speeding. In 2020, 29% of all traffic fatalities were caused by speeding. There were over 10,000 fatal crashes caused by speeding that year.
2. Bad Weather – The weather can significantly affect a car’s traction, and drivers should be cautious of this when driving in storms. Low visibility due to rain can also make it more difficult to see potential hazards on the road. Slow driving is advised under these conditions.
3. Running a Red Light or Stop Sign – Running a red light or stop sign is commonly associated with speeding. These actions will very much likely cause traffic accidents. All motorists have the duty of care to ensure that they are following traffic laws for the safety of all motorists on the road.
4. Distracted Driving – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 3,000 individuals were killed in 2020 due to distracted drivers. Activities such as texting, eating, and talking on the phone should not be done while driving.
5. Poor Road Conditions – Another cause of car accidents is poor road conditions. These may include potholes, uneven road surfaces, sinkholes, and cracks in the road. These poor conditions may cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle momentarily, causing an accident.
6. Fatigued Driving – A driver’s response to a hazard may be severely hindered by lack of sleep, drowsiness, or exhaustion. It can also be more difficult to spot poor road conditions while in this state.
7. Drunk Driving – Drunk drivers are more likely to be involved in car accidents because they have impaired vision and slow reflexes. According to the NHTSA, about 32 individuals die everyday from drunk driving accidents. Therefore, everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving and take precautions to avoid being involved in an accident.
8. Manufacturing Defects – A car accident can be caused by defective auto parts, such as faulty brakes or steering. If your accident was caused by a faulty car part, you may file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer.

Accident Injuries Commonly Sustained in an Auto Accident

As the victim of a car accident, the kind of injuries you may sustain can vary greatly and cause a lot of pain. These injuries not only take a toll on your physical health but may also cause emotional distress and mental trauma. Knowing the most common injuries associated with car accidents will help determine the type of medical attention you need.

Some injuries sustained in a car accident are:

• Bone fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord damage
• Soft tissue damage
• Back injuries
• Internal injuries

How to Reduce the Chances of a Car Accident

The best way to avoid car accidents is to constantly be aware of your surroundings and follow traffic safety recommendations. This will give you an advantage when driving in high-traffic areas in California.

Some safe driving practices that can help prevent car accidents are:

• Tailgating: It is advised to leave a few seconds between you and the car ahead of you to help avoid any potential accidents. Tailgating accidents may occur due to the vehicle in front of you making an abrupt stop. This is especially dangerous when traveling at high speeds. It’s better to be a little late than not make it to your destination, at all.
• Pulling into traffic slowly: It is important to be aware of other drivers when you are on the road. It is easy to miss things while driving, so be sure to pay attention to your surroundings. Watch for blind spots and be cautious when pulling out into traffic.
• Be alert for kids: Children tend to run out into the street from between parked cars. If you’re driving through a neighborhood, be extra careful of children playing on the streets and drive slowly.
• Watch out for careless drivers running a red light – After the light turns green, slowly count to three before proceeding through the intersection. Be sure to look both ways for oncoming traffic, and be wary of drivers speeding through a yellow light.
• Keeping your hands on the steering wheel: It is important to avoid distractions while driving, such as changing the radio station, eating, or taking your hands off the wheel unnecessarily.
• Perform regular maintenance checks: Regular car maintenance can help prevent accidents by keeping the vehicle in good working order. This includes oil changes, checkups, and properly inflated tires.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover in a Car Accident Claim?

No two accidents are entirely alike. The compensation you may recover from your injury claim can depend on several things. These factors will be considered when working out how much your claim is worth.

If your injuries were caused by an at-fault driver, you may be entitled to the following compensatory damages:

• Medical care expenses
• Medical provider bills
• Physical therapy
• Property damage or auto repair
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Other non-economic damages
• And more

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Our San Diego Car Accident Lawyers Today!

At Farahi Law Firm, we understand the difficulties involved in dealing with your emotional recovery, financial recovery, and personal injury. Not only will we deal with the complex paperwork of your case, we will also ensure that you receive the medical care you need.

It is in your best interest to hold the responsible party accountable. Our San Diego car accident lawyers are ready to fight tooth and nail to recover fair compensation for your injuries and damages. An experienced attorney will help guide you through the claims process.

We will ensure that your rights are protected from insurance companies or insurance adjusters that will try to lower the value of your claim in order to avoid offering a fair settlement.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident due to the actions of an at-fault driver, contact Farahi Law Firm today! Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers, doctors, and case managers is here to help you win. We work on a contingency fee basis and offer a No Fee Guarantee policy. Call us at (619)-776-3851 for a free case consultation.