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Car accidents in Fort Myers can happen in a variety of situations. Whether you are involved in a seemingly minor ‘fender bender’ or a more serious car crash, the injuries you suffer as a result have the potential to be severe. When the reckless driving behaviors of others are to blame, they can be held legally liable for the medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses you suffer. When filing a claim, the exact type of crash can provide valuable clues as to why it occurred and who is ultimately responsible.
Car Accidents: Common Types of Crashes and Leading Causes
According to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), more than 12,000 car accidents in Fort Myers and the surrounding Lee County area happen each year. These crashes claim the lives of more than 100 people and leave close to 8,000 others drivers and passengers suffering serious personal injuries.
When investigating these cases and helping injured victims file a claim, it is important to understand how the accident occurred. This can help in determining who is responsible. Depending on the exact type of crash, there are also certain types of injuries that are more likely to happen. The following are the five most common types of collisions:
Rear-End Collisions
These are among the most common types of car accidents. They often happen in the following situations:
- In parking lots and at entrances and exits;
- When there are heavy traffic conditions on the road;
- In areas where road construction work is taking place;
- In heavy rain, when braking ability and tire traction is decreased;
- When unexpected circumstances cause other drivers to slam on the brakes, such as when another car breaks down or a crash occurs in the lanes ahead.
Rear-end collisions can cause sudden jolts to the driver, resulting in whiplash and other types of back and neck injuries. Aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding and tailgating are often to blame.
Side-Swipe Car Accidents
These can occur on major highways or on rural roads, either while other drivers are attempting to pass or when they weave in and out of their lane. Common causes include:
- Failure to yield;
- Passing in no-passing zones;
- Not looking before attempting to merge into traffic;
- Drowsy driving and falling asleep behind the wheel;
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications.
Having a driver side-swipe you can cause you to lose control of your own vehicle. As a result, you could end up crashing into other motorists or objects such as guardrails. Injuries suffered in these crashes include broken bones, head injuries, and damage to muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue injuries.
Side-Impact Car Accidents
These are often referred to as t-bone collisions. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), they are one of the most potentially deadly types of car accidents and are responsible for roughly 20% of all motor vehicle deaths. Side-impact accidents typically occur in intersections. Common types of injuries they are likely to result in include:
- Severe cuts and lacerations;
- Muscle and tendon sprains, strains, and tears;
- Broken bones and multiple fractures;
- Whiplash, herniated discs, and other back or neck injuries;
- Damage to the spinal cord or column, resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis.
In addition to speeding, running red lights, failure to yield, and other reckless behaviors, distracted driving is one of the leading causes.
Head-on Collisions
Another of the most dangerous and potentially deadly types of car accidents, the III reports that head-on collisions are the second most common cause of motor vehicle deaths. Places they are most likely to happen include:
- On major highways and interstates;
- Near highway exit and entrance ramps;
- On one way streets;
- On rural roads, when one driver attempts to pass another and collides with a motorist in the opposing lane.
Head-on collisions commonly occur at night, on weekends or major holidays, and during busy tourist seasons. Distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants are often to blame. Multiple broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), damage to the spinal cord causing paralysis, and crushing injuries that do damage to body limbs or organs often happen as a result. Speeding is a common factor in these crashes and increases the likelihood that injuries will be fatal.
Rollover Accidents
Consumer Reports warn that while rollover accidents make up only three percent of all crashes, they are among the most likely to result in serious injuries. These types of car accidents typically involve trucks, Jeeps, SUVs, and other taller vehicles in which the center of gravity is higher. Common causes of rollover accidents include:
- Going too fast around curves in the road;
- Making too sharp of turns;
- Uneven loading of passengers or cargo in vans and trucks;
- Manufacturer defects and structural design flaws, which make rollovers more likely to happen.
Thousands of different types of vehicles have been recalled due to rollover accident risks and manufacturers can be held liable. Rollovers often impact motorists traveling alongside or behind the driver and can cause a chain reaction, resulting in multi-vehicle collisions. Crushing injuries, multiple broken bones, and massive trauma to the head, back, or neck can occur as a result. Speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence all increase the likelihood a rollover will happen.
Our Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney can Help
Car accident injuries can impact your ability to work or engage in your normal activities now and for years to come. Meanwhile, medical expenses you incur can run into hundreds or thousands of dollars. As you have only one chance to get the compensation you need to recover, you need Bernardo Law on your side.
Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case to determine how it happened and who is responsible. We provide trusted guidance and aggressive legal representation so you can get the maximum amount you are entitled to in a claim. To schedule a consultation, call or contact our office online today.