No two car accidents are exactly alike, but we tend to see certain types of crashes. These accidents cause different types of injuries and present unique problems for accident victims. Regardless
of how you were hurt, contact the Ladah law firm to find out more about bringing a claim for compensation. If a loved one passed away, a wrongful death lawyer in Las Vegas can represent you, also.
T-Bone Collisions
These accidents are also called side-impact crashes. The name “T-bone” comes from the shape the two cars make when they collide. The front of one car slams into the side of another, which forms the letter T.
T-bones are very common at intersections or in parking lots. Historically, this type of accident was very dangerous because the side of a car typically has less reinforcement and no airbags, so passengers could suffer serious injuries. Today, however, car manufacturers are reinforcing their vehicles to better handle side-impact crashes. Many even have side airbags which deploy. Nonetheless, like any accident, T-bones can cause serious injuries, especially at top speeds.
Common injuries include neck, back, and head injuries. Seat belts don’t effectively restrain people from sliding to the side, so occupants can slam into each other.
Head-On Collisions
With this accident, two cars collide directly head on. This is a relatively rare accident but very deadly.
Some common reasons for two cars colliding this way are:
- Tired drivers sliding across the center line
- Drunk drivers drifting into oncoming traffic
- Reckless drivers passing illegally or making a blind pass around a corner
- Dangerous road conditions which cause a motorist to lose control
- Confused motorists going the wrong way
- Criminals fleeing the police
Rollovers
A vehicle should stay upright, but sometimes a car gets “tripped” and flips on its hood or its side. For example, a car can trip on gravel when it leaves the road, or one side rides up on an incline.
Rollovers are a dangerous accident. Someone who isn’t wearing a seatbelt could be ejected or land on their head. Rollovers used to be very deadly in SUVs, but technology has improved considerably over the past decade.
Sideswipes
Two cars can collide when they are traveling side by side. Sideswipes are most common on multi-lane highways or when a vehicle is trying to merge with traffic.
One problem with sideswipes is identifying fault. Since the two cars hit each other side by side, either driver could be to blame. We usually rely on witnesses to help understand what actions each driver took leading up to the collision.
Some sideswipes are minor, and no one suffers a serious injury. Nevertheless, there is always a risk that one car will be pushed off the road or into oncoming traffic, leading to devastating injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear end collision involves two cars, one in front of the other. The car behind slams into the car in front. Rear end collisions are common at intersections, parking lots, and parking garages.
These accidents are more complicated than people realize. One myth is that the car behind is always at fault because they hit the car in front. But it could be that the car in front stopped suddenly or pulled out directly in front of the other vehicle. We must sift through all the evidence to uncover what happened.
Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash, concussions, and back injuries. At high speeds, rear-end collisions can turn deadly.
Single Vehicle Accidents
We think of car accidents involving two cars hitting each other. However, some accidents involve only one car.
These cars are usually forced off the road or take sudden defensive action to avoid a crash. For example, a drunk motorist might drift into oncoming traffic, and a driver quickly jerks the wheel to the right, which forces them off the road and into a rollover.
The most common causes of single vehicle accidents are:
- “Phantom” cars which didn’t hit you but forced you into a crash
- Road hazards or defects like ice
- Hydroplaning, where water builds up under the tires
- Mechanical defect in your vehicle
Injured victims face unique hurdles. For one, your insurer might think you are making up the accident, or you are trying to blame someone when your own negligence caused the crash. The drivers of phantom cars rarely stop, so you might need to file a claim on your uninsured motorist insurance.
Pileups
A pileup is at the opposite end of the spectrum from a single vehicle accident. Pileups involved three or more cars. In Nevada, we have seen many pileups involving dozens of vehicles.
Pileups happen most frequently when traffic is congested. All it takes is one car to slip and slide or lose control. This car slams into another, and the two come to rest. Suddenly, all the cars behind are at risk of colliding if they can’t stop in time.
Pileups are difficult cases for accident victims seeking compensation. There is always the question of fault. You can only sue a driver who is at fault, and the driver of the car that hit you might not have done anything wrong. He could have been pushed from behind by another car.
Pileups can cause serious injuries because emergency medical technicians might struggle to reach victims. Pileups on the freeway also tend to happen at high speeds. We see many fatalities in this type of car wreck.
Uninsured Motorist Collisions
Roughly 10% of Nevada drivers do not carry insurance. This means a victim might not get anything from the driver who caused serious injuries. Luckily, most motorists should have uninsured motorist insurance. This is a policy you pay for. If you are hurt in an accident, you can make a claim on this coverage.
However, uninsured motorist coverage is still fault-based. You can’t use these benefits if you were at fault for your collision. Some insurers go over claims with a microscope, looking for reasons to blame you for your accident. Contact an attorney to review. We can assist filing a claim and negotiating a settlement.
Hit & Runs
Nevada law requires that drivers involved in a crash stop and render assistance. Unfortunately, many speed away without a thought for injured victims left behind. Victims of hit and run accidents are left to their own devices to seek medical help.
Receiving compensation for a hit and run is difficult. For one, you don’t know who to sue—the driver didn’t stop and identify himself. This means you might need to make an uninsured motorist claim.
Another challenge is convincing your own uninsured motorist insurer that you really were hit by another driver. Your insurer might be tempted to claim you alone caused your injuries.
Drunk Driving Collisions
Nevada sees hundreds of drunk driving collisions each year. A motorist who had too much to drink (or used drugs), can take unnecessary risks behind the wheel. They also might have terrible reflexes and not stop in time.
Many drunk drivers are speeding. They might run a red light or fail to yield on the highway. Victims tend to get hit at very high speeds. For this reason, we can see horrifying injuries in drunk driving wrecks.
Accident victims should work with a lawyer for their case. Although drunk driving is a crime, the prosecutor does not represent you as the victim.
Fatal Car Accidents
Roughly 300 people are killed in Nevada car accidents each year. Their families are often confused about what to do, if anything. Fortunately, Nevada allows you to bring a lawsuit. Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney in Vegas for more information.
We Can Handle Any Type of Car Accident
The Ladah law firm can spring into action if you call (702) 252-0055. We offer a free consultation to victims where we can discuss what happened.