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Car accidents are, unfortunately, a common occurrence across the DFW metroplex. From the interstate to neighborhoods and main roads, an accident can happen just about anywhere. Understanding which types of collisions are the most common and what often causes them can help you make better decisions and reduce the risk of an accident.

At the Hernandez Law Group, P.C., we know that knowledge is power. That is why our team has compiled information on the most common types of car collisions. Here is what you need to know to keep you and your family safe:

Types of Car Collisions Most Common in Dallas

The latest statistics from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles report that there were a total of 31,678 car accidents in Dallas, Texas. Out of these accidents, the following occurred:

  • 187 people were killed
  • 1,148 people sustained severe injuries
  • 5,669 sustained minor injuries
  • Dallas, Texas experienced the second most car accidents in Texas.

Out of these accidents, the following were the most common types of car collisions:

Rear-End Collisions: Causes and Prevention

A car has rear-ended a commercial bus.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions make up 29 percent of all car accidents in the United States. These accidents are often caused by tailgating and distracted driving.

It is easy to get distracted while driving. Music, scenery, and talking on the phone are among many things that can preoccupy you behind the wheel. It only takes a second of being distracted to end up in a rear-end collision.

Here are some tips on how to keep your focus on the road:

  • If you need to change the radio, make sure you do so when you are at a stop.
  • Wait till you get to a stop or when you are at home to address the behavior of your child in the backseat.
  • Never eat or drink while operating a motor vehicle.
  • Don’t text, answer, or talk on the phone while you drive. (If you have hands-free answering, make sure to use it responsibly and keep your eyes on the road.

How to Prevent Rear-End Collisions

The easiest way to prevent rear-end collisions is to keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This distance is often recommended to be two car-lengths. During inclement weather, you may want to increase this distance, as slick road conditions may lengthen the stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Always avoid distractions, especially in high-traffic areas or times. If you are being tailgated, change lanes and allow the other vehicle to pass safely. This will help reduce the chances of the other vehicle hitting you.

Side-Impact Collisions: Understanding the Danger

A car that has dents in the side due to a sideswipe accident.

Also known as a T-bone accident, this type of collision occurs when one vehicle slams into the side of the other. Side-impact collisions are incredibly dangerous, as there is less cushion between the occupants of the struck vehicle and the vehicle that causes the crash. A study done by the United States National Library of Medicine found that rear-seated passengers sitting on the same side as the collision were more likely to experience life-threatening or fatal injuries than any other occupant in the car. 

T-bone collisions accounted for 22% of vehicle occupant deaths in car accidents in 2022. They often occur when one driver fails to yield to another driver who has the right-of-way, most commonly at a traffic intersection. The most common causes of side-impact accidents are as follows:

  • Texting while driving
  • Eating or drinking while driving
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Paying attention to a GPS
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Reckless driving
  • Speeding
  • Running a red light
  • Slick road conditions

How to Prevent Side-Impact Accidents?

As mentioned earlier, side-impact collisions often occur at intersections. To avoid this type of collision, it is important to look both ways before crossing an intersection. This will allow you to spot danger before crossing, giving you plenty of time to react if you see something. Even if you have a green light, it is not always guaranteed that the motorists on either side of you will have stopped as well. Never cross an intersection without checking to see if the way is clear.

Head-On Collisions: The Deadly Threat

Two cars hitting head on.

Head-on collisions are often the most fatal. They typically occur at high speeds, making it difficult for the safety features on your car to properly absorb the impact, leading to severe injuries to the vehicle’s occupants. Head-on collisions are often caused by one vehicle heading the wrong way on a road, but they also include non-vehicle head-on collisions, such as with animals or fixed objects, like signs or guard rails.

Other causes of head-on collisions are as follows:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • A driver falling asleep behind the wheel
  • Driver confusion
  • Speeding
  • Improper passing

How to Avoid Head-On Collisions

The best way to avoid head-on collisions is to drive responsibly and practice the following:

  • Follow all traffic laws and posted speed limits
  • Drive with the current road and weather conditions in mind
  • Avoid reckless driving behaviors such as cutting other drivers off
  • Ensure that your car’s lights are working properly
  • Avoid distractions, such as your phone

Hernandez Law Group, P.C. Insight: How Is the Force of a Head-On Collision Calculated?

The force of impact in a head-on collision will be dependent on the speed at which the vehicles are traveling. For example, if two vehicles collided head-on going 25mph, then their net force of impact would be 50 mph.

Vehicle Rollovers: Risk Factors and Safety Advice

A car has rolled over onto a guardrail.

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle loses balance on the road, which causes it to roll over on its side or top. More severe forms of these types of accidents result in the car rolling over more than one time. These accidents are often serious and cause life-threatening injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.

Rollover accidents occur in a variety of different circumstances, including:

  • The design of the vehicle: SUVS and other top-heavy vehicles are more likely to lose balance and flip over when making sharp turns.
  • Weather conditions: Inclement weather, such as strong winds or icy roads can increase the risk of a rollover accident. 
  • Driver error: If a driver makes a sudden overcorrection, a rollover accident may occur.
  • Speed: Rollover accidents are more likely to occur when drivers are traveling at higher speeds or when they change speeds quickly.
  • Collisions: Collisions, especially at high speeds, can cause a vehicle to lose balance and roll
  • Alcohol Use: When drivers are under the influence of alcohol, rollover crashes are more common.
  • Poor road conditions: Vehicles can get thrown off balance when they encounter issues with the road, such as a pothole. 

How to Prevent Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents can be prevented by following safe driving behaviors, such as:

  • Driving at the right speed
  • Avoiding distractions
  • Not driving drowsy
  • Not driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles
  • Packing your car wisely to make sure the weight is evenly distributed
  • Checking your tires before driving
  • Drive appropriately for road conditions
  • Take corners slowly
A multi-car pileup.

Multi-car collisions can occur for a wide range of reasons. These accidents often lead to extensive damage and many injuries. In the worst cases, multi-car pileups can result in the wrongful death of more than one driver/passenger. 

Some of the most common contributing factors that cause multi-vehicle collisions include:

  • Driver inattention
  • Following too closely
  • Speeding
  • Poor weather conditions
  • Poor road conditions

How to Avoid Multi-Car Pileups

While there is no way to eliminate the risk of a multi-car pileup, there are some steps you can take to minimize it. These are as follows:

  • Maintain a safe following distance
  • Drive defensively
  • Pay attention to the other drivers on the road and road conditions
  • Plan an alternate route to avoid heavily congested areas

Determining who is at fault after a multi-car collision can be incredibly difficult as there are more than two parties involved. Most pileups occur when one vehicle rear-ends another, setting off a chain reaction. Generally, every vehicle that rear-ended the vehicle in front will have some responsibility for the accident. However, if they were pushed by the car behind them and had no control over the outcome, then they would not be at fault.

Your best chance to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve and to avoid being burdened with liability that is not yours, you will need a knowledgeable car accident attorney on your side.

Modern technology in cars has completely changed the driving experience for many drivers. New features, such as Apple’s Carplay and Bluetooth technology have allowed drivers to keep their focus on the road, by allowing them to answer calls and texts with their voice or a button on the steering wheel. Lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and driver monitoring have also helped reduce the number and severity of accidents on the road. 

The reduction in the number and severity of accidents can be seen in the latest report from the Texas Department of Transportation on Texas motor vehicle accidents in 2023. The following was found:

  • Texas experienced a decrease in the number of motor vehicle fatalities. The death toll in 2023 was 4,283 which was a 2.81% decrease from the death toll in 2022, which was 4,407.
  • There were 403 people killed in accidents involving distracted driving which is a 17.25% decrease from 2022.
  • Pedestrian fatalities totaled 807 in 2023 which is a 0.98% decrease from 2022.

Research from LexisNexis Risk Solutions supports this data by reporting that Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) aided in a 27% reduction in bodily injury claim frequency and a 19% reduction in property damage frequency.

What Advancements Fall Under Advanced Safety Systems?

ADAS systems are any piece of technology or equipment in a car that is intended to increase driver safety. These features include the following:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Blind Spot Detection
  • Collision Warning
  • Cross-traffic alert
  • Forward and rear collision warning
  • Lande departure warning
  • Pedestrian detection system
  • Road sign recognition

Enhancing Road Safety in Dallas

Cars in Dallas Traffic

While ADAS systems are making the roads safer by aiding drivers, it is still up to the individuals behind the wheel to practice safe driving behaviors to protect themselves and others. How a driver acts on the road either increases or decreases their risk of being involved in the most common types of car collisions;

  • Rear-end collisions
  • T-bone accidents
  • Merging accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Vehicle rollovers
  • Multi-vehicle pileups

Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate the risk of an accident. If you or a loved one find yourselves involved in an accident due to the negligence of another driver, you will need experienced legal aid to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t allow a negligent driver to destroy the life you work so hard to build. Instead, contact the dedicated car accident attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. We don’t allow insurance companies to bully our clients into accepting a settlement that is less than they deserve. Allow our family to fight for yours and call us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

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