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What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Washington, DC?

The most common types of car accidents in Washington, DC are:

Rear End Collisions

Rear-end collisions happen when a vehicle hits another vehicle from behind. These are often caused by drivers not leaving enough space between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. Following too closely doesn’t allow the motorist to stop quickly if necessary.

Rear-end collisions can cause a chain reaction and lead to multiple vehicles crashing, which can result in more serious injuries to the victims. The rear driver is usually at fault for the rear-end collision. However, if the driver in the front stops suddenly or drives erratically, causing the driver behind to crash into them, the front driver could also be at fault for causing the rear-end collision.

Head-On Collisions

One of the deadliest car accident types, a head-on collision, happens when a car strikes another motor vehicle in the front while traveling in the opposite direction. These traffic accidents often occur when a motorist drives the wrong way on a highway. Head-on collisions are often devastating and can cause serious injuries or death. Because both vehicles are moving toward each other at high speeds, the force of impact is magnified. Unfortunately, head-on collisions are the most deadly type of auto accident.

In addition to causing physical injuries, head-on collisions are terrifying, and many drivers are emotionally traumatized. Victims may deal with a fear of driving or even getting into any type of vehicle at all. This trauma can last for years after the accident and have a significant impact on the victim’s life.

Sideswipe Collisions/Blind Spot Accidents

If you live in Washington, DC, you probably have seen cars with mangled doors and bumpers on one side of the car. This was probably caused by a sideswipe accident. A sideswipe collision happens when a car leaves its lane of travel and swipes another car on its side. These cars are often traveling in the same direction (but not always!) These accidents frequently happen at intersections or while merging on a highway.

Many times, sideswipe collisions happen because a car is in a driver’s blind spot. Side view cameras and other improved sensors have decreased the likelihood of sideswipe accidents. However, blind spot accidents do still happen and can result in significant property damage as well as grave injuries. Small cars and motorcycles are at a higher risk for a tragic blind spot accident.

Rollover Accidents

There are many causes of a rollover accident, but they have one thing in common: very serious injury. The force of a vehicle rolling over comes with a higher risk of catastrophic injuries and even death. Rollover accidents can result in the passengers being ejected from the car.

Chances of surviving a rollover accident greatly increase when wearing a seatbelt. The US Department of Transportation reports that seatbelt usage cuts the risk of serious injury or death in half when involved in a car accident.

T-Bone Accidents

A t-bone accident is a form of a side impact collision. It happens when one vehicle hits another car perpendicularly, forming the letter T. T-bone accidents are extremely dangerous for passengers and often fatal for one or more in the vehicle. Victims are likely to suffer spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and risk death.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle crashes are surprisingly common in the Washington DC area. A common type of single-vehicle accident is a rollover accident because a car may attempt to veer away from an animal or debris on the roadway, causing the driver to lose control and rollover.

Single-vehicle accidents can also involve hitting trees, mailboxes, or parked cars. Distracted driving, drunk driving, and poor weather conditions can all cause single-vehicle accidents.

Multiple-Vehicle Accidents

Any type of car accident can result in a multiple-vehicle accident. A multiple-vehicle accident is when three or more vehicles are involved in the same crash. When multiple vehicle accidents occur, you run the risk of being hit by several cars on all sides. One vehicle can be crushed by other vehicles involved in the crash, greatly increasing the risk of spinal cord injuries.

As you can imagine, multiple-vehicle crashes result in more victims than single-vehicle crashes or accidents only involving two vehicles. This can delay treatment for those who have serious injuries.

When there are more than two vehicles involved, it can be difficult to understand how to proceed with getting property damage fixed and medical bills paid. Let the Washington, DC personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long take over for you. We have been working with multiple vehicle accident victims for decades. Call our car accident attorneys now for a free evaluation.

Why Do Car Crashes Happen?

An auto accident can happen for several reasons, but the most common reasons for these types of car crashes include:

Distracted Driving

Many behaviors can be categorized as distracted driving. Using a cell phone, changing the radio station, looking for an item, putting on makeup, eating, and talking to your passengers are all distractions. Anytime a driver is not paying attention to the roadway, for whatever reason, the risk of a car accident increases.

Fatigued Driving

This is also known as drowsy driving. Fatigued driving can cause tragic car accidents. It is frightening to think of sharing a highway with a driver who has fallen asleep. Sleeping drivers have zero control over the car and, unfortunately often result in serious injuries and death.

Speeding

Speed limits are created for a reason. Engineers evaluate the roadway and establish speed limits that allow motorists to drive safely. Driving at unsafe speeds does not allow a driver to have enough time to react to dangerous situations on the roadway, potentially causing major car crashes.

Wrong Way Driving

Driving on the wrong side of the road or in the wrong direction on a one-way street toward oncoming traffic can cause a head-on collision as well as other types of accidents.

Poor Road Conditions

Many accidents happen due to poor road conditions. If your accident was caused by an unsafe roadway, don’t hesitate to call Regan Zambri Long for help understanding your legal options.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is defined as the blatant disregard for the safety of other drivers and their property. This can include excessive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, texting and driving, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and many more. Driving recklessly can result in thousands of dollars in fines as well as time in jail. Call our lawyers at Regan Zambri Long to help you file a lawsuit against a reckless driver.

What Are the Common Injuries From an Auto Accident?

Car accidents can be catastrophic for victims in several ways. In addition to the actual injuries sustained, the cost of treatment and lost wages can be extremely damaging to the victim and their family. Partnering with Regan Zambri Long and winning a car accident settlement will help offset the losses.

Brain injuries: Brain injuries can be very costly to treat. A victim can deal with side effects for the rest of their life, and the injuries can significantly change their quality of life. A common brain injury is a concussion. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are more serious. In the most severe cases, a TBI can cause such damage to the victim that they can totally lose their independence. They may not be able to eat, work, or even live on their own. Traumatic brain injuries can cost a patient over $2 million throughout their lifetime. Since accidents are so unpredictable, most victims are not financially prepared to incur those costs.
Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are also unfortunately common after a car accident. They can affect your movement, balance, and ability to speak. A severe spinal cord injury can cause partial or complete paralysis and may cost around $1 million in medical bills per year.
Broken bones: Broken bones are one of the most common types of injury from a car accident. They require quick and effective treatment. Most broken bones require a cast, and many require surgery. In severe cases, a person will have problems with blood flow and nerve pain for years after the car accident.
Burns: Some passengers may suffer from burns during a car accident. Burns can be difficult to treat and severe cases may require treatment at specialized hospitals. There are hidden costs on top of the medical expenses while being treated at these hospitals. There are travel costs, eating out, parking, and hotel expenses. The burns could result in the patient also needing plastic surgery, which may not be covered by insurance.
Lacerations: Lacerations are cuts on the skin and are very common from a car accident. The cuts usually happen from broken glass or pieces of metal at the scene of the accident. Some lacerations require stitches, putting the victim at risk of infection. They can also cause a person to deal with unsightly marks and scars for the rest of their life.
Wrongful Death: Unfortunately, a car accident can result in a tragic wrongful death. When a death could have been avoided, it causes extra pain and anger for the victim’s family and friends. The family of the deceased may file a lawsuit for a wrongful death case to get compensated for their pain and suffering, as well as funeral expenses.

If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, the experienced lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to win the compensation you deserve.

Is It Worth It to Hire a Washington, DC Car Accident Lawyer?

It is not legally required to have a lawyer when you file a car accident claim. However, it is advisable to seek legal help to win maximum compensation for your losses. The lawyers at Regan Zambri Long are experts in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC law. We have a deep understanding of different insurance policies and the court system around the DC Metro Area. We are shrewd negotiators in the conference room and fighters in the courtroom. We will work around the clock to make your case a success.

We work with police, other lawyers, insurance companies, and medical professionals to build a successful case around your claim. We will scrutinize documents, speak to witnesses, reconstruct the accident scene, consult with medical experts, and take advice from other legal counsel. In the end, we will prove the other party or parties’ negligence and secure a favorable settlement.

Our promise to you: you will not pay a single dime to your lawyer unless we win. Our firm has the financial backing to use every resource at our disposal. All you have to do is focus on your recovery and the recovery of your family. We will take care of the rest. Contact a Washington, DC, car accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation.

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