Types of Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents

In one recent year, 724 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky. In total, 158,171 accidents took place throughout the state in a year’s time, injuring more than 34,000. In other words, for every 128 people living in the state, one suffered injuries in a car accident.

Different types of car accidents each present the danger of injury or death, including:

• Rear-end accidents: Rear-end accidents in Kentucky account for one-fifth of all motor vehicle accidents. However, they only represent 11 percent of fatalities resulting from traffic crashes. Rear-end accidents are frequently caused by tailgating or following too closely. Accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the rear of another vehicle. In addition to tailgating, this type of accident is also commonly caused by speeding. Driving at excessive speeds reduces the time a driver has to perceive a roadway hazard, like a car suddenly stopping ahead. Further, speeding increases the distance required for a vehicle to come to a safe stop. Distracted driving commonly contributes to causing rear-end collisions.
• Broadside collisions: Also known as angle-collisions or T-bone accidents, broadside collisions are the most prevalent type of vehicle accident in Kentucky. In 2018, broadside collisions represented 30.4 percent of all car accidents statewide, accounting for 41.2 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. Most often, these collisions occur in an intersection when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way to another. Broadside collisions pose an extreme risk of serious injury and fatality for occupants on the impacted side of the vehicle.
• Sideswipe collisions: Sideswipe accidents account for nearly 20 percent of all accidents in Kentucky and about 4 percent of all accident fatalities. Sideswipe collisions involve the side of one vehicle striking the side of another. They’re often caused by improper lane changes. For instance, a driver may fail to ensure an adjacent lane is clear before quickly passing into it.
• Head-on crashes: In 2018, about 3 percent of the car accidents in Kentucky were classified as head-on crashes. However, head-on crashes accounted for 35.6 percent of all accident fatalities in the state. Head-on collisions involve the front of one vehicle colliding with the front of another vehicle. Head-on crashes frequently result in death or serious injury. The forward motion of both vehicles coupled with their speed increases the intensity of the impact.
• Single-vehicle crashes: Many accidents involve only one vehicle. Typically, a vehicle will collide with an object, animal, or even a pedestrian or bicyclist. In Kentucky, in 2018, 1,511 vehicles struck other objects. Another 1,024 accidents involved pedestrians. The majority of single-vehicle crashes, 3,073, involved a collision with a deer and only 332 involved a collision with a bicyclist.
• Chain-reaction crashes: In contrast to single-vehicle crashes, chain-reaction crashes are those that involve three or more vehicles. Often, chain-reaction crashes are caused when the impact of two vehicles colliding causes one of the cars to strike a third vehicle. Pileups are a type of chain reaction crash occurring at highway speeds on the interstate. They typically involve a number of vehicles that cannot stop in time to avoid the initial crash. Pileups are particularly dangerous because a single vehicle may be involved in numerous consecutive collisions within a short time frame. In addition, accident victims may increase their risk of injury by exiting the vehicle while subsequent collisions are taking place.
• Rollover crashes: Rollover crashes can happen in one of two ways. First, they may result from a vehicle colliding with an object or another vehicle, which creates an imbalance causing a rollover. Second, a rollover may result from losing control around a sharp curve, over-correcting mistakes, or running off the road. Vehicles with a high center of gravity, e.g. trucks, vans, or SUVs are especially at risk due to their inherent instability.
• Front End Crashes: As the name implies, a front-end crash happens when you drive into another car or object with the front end of your vehicle. It is also considered to be a front-end crash when another person drives into the front end of your vehicle in a head-on collision. These crashes can lead to serious injuries due to the ineffectiveness of the seatbelt in these crashes.

What Causes Car Accidents?

Many types of accidents exist, as do causes for crashes. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving: A person driving at 55 miles per travels the length of a football field in only five seconds. While all distractions are dangerous, but texting and other cell phone use are among the most dangerous of driving distractions. It is not uncommon for drivers to take five seconds or more to read or reply to a text message while driving. While texting, a driver’s eyes are off the road, the mind is off driving, at least one hand is off the wheel. Some other common distractions include eating or drinking, visiting with other passengers, adjusting vehicle or stereo controls, and applying makeup. Drivers may also be distracted by external factors including billboards, people in other cars, or even previous accidents.
• Alcohol and drug impairment: In one recent year, alcohol-impaired drivers caused 4,736 collisions in Kentucky. Alcohol impairment contributed to 113 fatal collisions and 1,585 accidents involving injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person dies in the United States every 48 minutes in an accident involving alcohol. Alcohol impairment causes significant reductions in the motor functioning required for the safe operation of a motor vehicle. The use of alcohol may decrease a driver’s ability to process information or to maintain one’s own lane of travel. In addition, alcohol can affect the ability to steer and brake effectively, respond to emergencies, and focus on the task of driving.
• Speeding: In one recent year, 9,378 people died from accidents that were caused by speeding in the United States. As such, speeding is one of the most deadly driving behaviors. As mentioned,speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the distance required to stop a vehicle. Additionally, speeding prevents your vehicle’s protective features—such as the steel frame, seat belts, and airbags—from working effectively. Speeding is not only driving faster than the posted speed limit. Speeding also includes driving too fast for the conditions of the road. For example, in inclement weather or traffic congestion, it is likely hazardous to travel at the posted speed.
• Fatigue: Extreme fatigue in drivers manifests many impairments similar to alcohol impairment. Fatigue may result in slower reaction times and the inability to maintain one’s lane. All drivers are at risk of fatigue without the appropriate amount of sleep each night. However, those at particular risk include long-haul truck drivers, shift workers, and individuals suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a person to briefly stop breathing numerous times during sleep, resulting in low quality sleep.
• Failure to yield: Failure to yield includes running red lights and stop signs. In addition, turning onto a street from a parking lot or driveway without waiting for a sufficient gap in traffic also constitutes a failure to yield. A failure to yield is the most common cause of accidents occurring in intersections. Intersection accidents account for more than a quarter of all accidents in Kentucky.
• Inclement weather: Rain, fog, and snow are driving hazards that may reduce visibility and create slick roads. Inclement weather can increase the risk of an accident.
• Defective auto parts: Manufacturers and distributors of vehicle parts have the responsibility to ensure that those parts are safe for use by consumers. Some defective parts may result in accidents, including defective tail lights, turn signals, brake or steering systems, and tires.