While it is something no one wants to think about, fatal car accidents are more common than people think. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were nearly 4,000 fatal car accidents in Florida in 2021. Of course, not all car crashes are going to result in death. Still, there are certain types of accidents that are more likely to result in fatalities than others. Below, one of our Miami car accident lawyers explains what these are.
Distracted Driving
Looking down at your phone, changing the radio station, or eating while on the road may all seem like fairly innocent behaviors. However, they can have drastic consequences. When a motorist takes their eyes off of the road, even for five seconds, it is like driving the length of a football field with their eyes closed. Clearly, this is very dangerous behavior. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving results in an average of 3,000 deaths and 40,000 injuries across the country every year.
T-Bone Accidents
A T-bone accident occurs when one motorist crashes into the side of another vehicle. These crashes are most commonly caused when a driver makes a turn in front of oncoming traffic, but they can also occur when a motorist drifts onto the other side of highway or interstate lanes to pass vehicles that are moving more slowly. When the vehicle that strikes another is traveling at high speeds, injuries are going to be much more severe. The most common injuries caused by T-bone accidents include concussions, whiplash, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries.
Multiple Vehicle Pile ups
One accident can easily turn into a string of accidents. When two vehicles crash on the road, cars behind the accident may not have time to stop. Any multi-vehicle pileup can result in a fatal accident, but this is particularly true when they happen at high speeds, such as on interstates and highways.
Multiple vehicle pile ups are most common in two situations. The first is when traffic is at its peak, such as during rush hour. Drivers can become impatient and reckless during these situations, causing a multi-vehicle pileup. Motorists may try to pass other vehicles, or follow too closely, causing an accident. This could leave drivers behind them without enough time to slow down.
The second scenario when these types of crashes are more common is in poor weather, such as high winds or rain. In inclement weather, it is more difficult for motorists to see the road, as well as an accident in front of them. Drivers often do not even have the chance to try and slow down, which makes these multi-vehicle pile ups even more serious.
Vehicle Rollovers
Unlike other types of car crashes, vehicle rollovers typically only involve one vehicle. These accidents are usually caused by a motorist who does not properly handle their vehicle, or who does not maneuver it properly. For example, traveling at high speeds and turning around tight corners improperly are just a few dangerous maneuvers that can result in a vehicle rollover.
Depending on the facts of the accident, a vehicle may roll over more than once. The injuries sustained during these types of crashes are catastrophic head, brain, and spinal injuries. Accident victims may die at the scene, or succumb to their injuries in the following days.
Head-On Accidents
Head-on accidents are widely considered the most common type of crashes to cause fatalities. As the name implies, these accidents occur when two vehicles crash head-on. The most common causes of these wrecks are speeding, running red lights, misjudging distances, and swerving to avoid hitting an obstacle on the road.
Rear-End Accidents
It is true that most rear-end accidents are only minor. However, there are times when they can cause fatalities. For example, a rear-end accident that happens at high speeds, such as on a highway, can result in a wrongful death. Another very common type of fatal accident occurs when a smaller vehicle rear-ends a commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer. In these instances, the smaller vehicle may slip underneath the trailer, resulting in an under-riding accident, which is usually fatal.
Our Car Accident Lawyers in Miami Can Help After a Fatality
If you have lost someone you loved in a crash, our Miami car accident lawyers at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein can help you claim the full compensation your family deserves. Call us now at 305-371-2692 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more.