Four Most Common Types of Car Collisions in Georgia

March 26, 2020

Most drivers will experience a car accident sometime in their lives – whether it’s a minor fender bender or a more serious collision. Causes range, but the location of accidents tends to be closest to home. In fact, 52 percent of all nonfatal car accidents occur within five miles of a person’s home.

Georgia Traffic Fatality Statistics

According to Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 1,504 traffic deaths across all of Georgia. Due to heavy interstate traffic volume, Atlanta and surrounding counties accounted for a large portion of those deaths. 2018 fatalities by county:

  • Fulton Country: 130 traffic fatalities
  • Dekalb County: 108 traffic fatalities
  • Gwinnett County: 62 traffic fatalities
  • Cobb County: 57 traffic fatalities

From car wreck to auto accident, there are many different terms used to describe vehicle collisions. The World Health Organization uses the term road traffic injury, while the U.S. Census Bureau uses the term motor vehicle accidents and Transport Canada uses the term motor vehicle traffic collision (MVTC). Other common terms include auto accident, car accident, car crash, car smash, car wreck, motor vehicle collision (MVC), personal injury collision (PIC), road accident, road traffic accident (RTA), road traffic collision (RTC), and road traffic incident (RTI), as well as less formal terms including smash-up, pile-up, and fender bender. The term accident is avoided by some organizations because it implies there is no fault, when evident causes, like excessive speed or alcohol abuse, are to blame.

More overwhelming than the distressing injury statistics or vast number of terms used to describe car collisions, are the medical bills, lost wages and legal complexities that can arise after the accident. Accident attorneys are seasoned in the field and can navigate medical expenses, injuries suffered, time away from work, property damage and jurisdiction of the fault party. But, hiring the best personal injury attorney can be tricky. How do you choose? Here are a few things to consider. Does the lawyer focus primarily on car accident cases and is the lawyer experienced? Are they easy to get in touch with? Do they demonstrate good ethics?

At HS Law our legal team has over 30 years of combined experience in legal matters involving victims of car accidents. Plus, consultation calls are absolutely free.

Read More: What you need to know before hiring an attorney.

What are the most common types of car accidents?

All car accidents may seem relatively similar – your car was rear-ended at a traffic light or hit in a parking lot. But, there are four main types of car accident classifications and knowing the difference is important, especially when looking for an attorney.

Head-On Collisions

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a head on collision can be defined as, “A collision where the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another vehicle while the two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions.” U.S. statistics show that in 2005, head-on crashes were only two percent of all crashes, yet accounted for 10.1 percent of U.S. fatal crashes. Head-on collisions occur when the driver of a vehicle fails to stay in their lane, leaving the road or crossing the centerline. Causes range from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol to fatigue or low visibility.

Rear-End Accidents

According to the NHTSA, rear-end collisions are the number one type of car crashes. They’re responsible for roughly 29 percent of all car accidents nationwide. The definition of a rear-end collision is when a vehicle crashes into the one in front of it. Injuries include whiplash, back injuries, spinal cord paralysis, head and brain injuries, facial disfigurement, wrist and arm injuries and seat belt injuries. Legally, the driver of the car that rear-ends the other car is usually considered to be at fault. The only exception would be if the driver in front were driving in reverse gear.

Side-Impact Collisions

Side-impact collisions are vehicle crashes where the side of one or more vehicles is impacted. These crashes often occur at intersections, in parking lots and when two vehicles pass on a multi-lane roadway. A type of side collision, broadside collisions, is when the side of one vehicle is impacted by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming a “T.” Many call this a “T-bone” collision. These types of accidents can be especially dangerous because the side of a vehicle offers little to no protection to the passenger or driver. Vehicle occupants on the side of a vehicle impacted usually suffer more severe injuries than they would in a front or rear-end crash.

Rollovers

A rollover is a type of vehicle crash in which a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. Rollovers have a higher fatality rate than other types of vehicle collisions, according to the NHTSA. Rollovers can be classified as tripped and untripped, meaning caused by an external object (like another car or curb), or the result of speed and friction with the ground (sharp turn at a high speed, for example). All vehicles are vulnerable to rollovers, although SUVs are at a greater risk because of the height and center of mass.

Call HS Law

If you are looking for a personal injury attorney to help with any of these types of car collisions, call HS Law. HS Law fights for the rights of accident and injury victims in Alpharetta and Atlanta Metro Areas. For a free consultation with a trusted Atlanta car accident lawyer today, call us at (404) 400-1175 or visit HS Law to make an appointment online.

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