Car Accidents: Part of Our Daily Lives
Because car accidents happen frequently, we consider such instances part of our daily life. However, each automobile accident is upsetting and dangerous for the individuals involved.
According to vehicle insurance experts, the typical driver will file a claim for a car accident roughly three to four times over their driving careers, or once every 17.9 years. Car accident investigators look at a variety of issues. Statistics frequently focus on contributing reasons rather than the primary cause of any specific auto accident because accidents happen in many diverse ways with overlapping causes.
Car Crash Statistics in Philadelphia
On Pennsylvanian roadways, there are many different kinds of accidents, but some happen more frequently than others. Most incidents occurred when cars slammed into stationary objects like guard railings or trees. Angled collisions and rear-end collisions were two additional frequent types of incidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 15% of all drivers involved in fatal accidents fail to maintain the proper lane or surrender the right-of-way.
- Struck a fixed object (37,825 crashes; 402 fatalities). Drivers routinely crash into road barriers, utility poles, and trees. About 50% of these collisions involve alcohol, and most occur at night.
- Angle collisions (34,823 crashes; 247 fatalities). These collisions typically occur in parking lots or when two cars pass each other on the road.
- Rear-end collisions (28,786 crashes; 81 fatalities). A collision in traffic where a car hits the one in front of it. These frequently occur as a result of driving inattention or distraction. Other causes include erratic road conditions brought on by weather, which results in rapid stops and decreased traction.
- Side-swipe collisions (8,357 crashes; 62 fatalities). Sideswipe collisions occur when two cars traveling in the same direction adjacent to one another crash. These collisions frequently happen when a vehicle changes lanes without ensuring the other lane is clear.
- Head-on collisions (4,715 crashes; 122 fatalities). When two cars traveling in opposing directions collide head-on, it’s a front-end collision. Frequently, these mishaps are lethal.
- Object-related crashes (4,234 crashes; 66 fatalities). These incidents occur when a car flips over, jackknifes, or is involved in a fire without hitting anything or if the impact did not bring on the injuries.
- Pedestrian/car collisions (3,970 crashes; 136 fatalities). Almost always, the pedestrian who is struck by a car sustains the worst injuries.
- Backing up crashes (410 crashes; 1 fatality). Back-up collisions occur when a driver reverses into something, someone, or another vehicle.
What are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Philadelphia?
In addition to handling vehicular accidents brought on by a range of reasons, our firm also represents clients who suffered losses and injuries in every imaginable kind of car collision.
Rear-end Collisions
One of the most frequent sorts of accidents and the most likely to cause injuries to drivers, passengers, or other people is a rear-end collision. When the front ends of two motor vehicles clash, this is referred to as a rear-end collision.
This kind of collision, sometimes known as a “fender bender,” is typically regarded as a very minor form of car accident. However, even “small” low-speed collisions can leave drivers and passengers with serious wounds, particularly when it comes to head, neck, and back trauma.
Head-on Collisions
Despite being a relatively uncommon sort of vehicle-on-vehicle accident, head-on collisions generate a disproportionately high number of traffic fatalities due to the tremendous power involved. At contact, two cars going at 45 mph head-on collide with each other with about the same force as a single car traveling at 90 mph into a wall.
Thankfully, automakers have long created automobiles and trucks that can withstand head-on collisions. Front crumple zones, airbags, and seatbelts are all common safety features in today’s vehicles, and they are all especially useful in head-on collisions.
Roll-over Accidents
Rollover accidents are some of the worst, although making up a very small portion of all accidents on American roadways each year. When something causes a car or truck to turn onto its side, onto its roof, or even more than once, a rollover accident occurs. All of the car’s occupants may encounter numerous points of impact during a rollover accident and run the risk of being ejected from the car. Despite seat belts, side airbags, and other safety equipment, rollover crash victims frequently sustain serious injuries.
Rarely do cars roll over, and when they do, they are severely damaged. A catastrophic failure of an automobile component or a highly uncommon road situation may be the cause of a rollover. In either scenario, it might take a lot of skill and diligence to demonstrate how the rollover happened and who should be held accountable. Rollover accident victims should speak with a skilled Philadelphia auto accident lawyer who can look into and handle these complex matters.
Ride-sharing Accidents
Philadelphians have welcomed the effectiveness and convenience of calling a private automobile to drive them where they need to go since since ridesharing applications like Uber and Lyft first appeared on the market a few years ago. Unfortunately, the introduction of ridesharing has also created brand-new, challenging issues for accident victims involving rideshare vehicles.
For instance, whether an Uber or Lyft driver was transporting a passenger (or on route to pick one up) at the time of an accident may affect the insurance coverage available to victims of their negligence. Many victims of ridesharing accidents also believe that the firms will cover the cost of a driver’s carelessness, but since Uber and Lyft view their drivers as independent contractors, that may not be the case.
Seek Compensation for Your Car Accident Injury Today!
Your own health and receiving the necessary medical attention should come first when you are in a car accident. Then you start to ask precisely what happened and who was in charge. In Philadelphia, if you have been hurt in an automobile accident, you may have a legal right to compensation from the at-fault driver. Your legal action will be governed by Pennsylvania’s auto accident statutes and you can let a reliable Philadelphia car accidents attorney at the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore handle this for you!
