Car accidents can range from small fender benders to life-threatening collisions. Even a 10 to 16 miles per hour crash is considered moderate, showing how much impact speed and force can have. Some types of crashes, however, are far more likely to cause serious injuries or deaths. Let’s explore the most dangerous types of car crashes and why they are so deadly.
Top 6 Most Fatal Types of Car Crashes
Any type of accident can put you at a serious risk of harm. However, some collisions are more dangerous than others. Those crashes generally fall into six main categories.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision happens when two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions. These types of accidents are considered to be very deadly because they involve the full force of both vehicles crashing into each other head-on. Head-on-collisions account for approximately 2% of all road accidents and cause about 10% to 11% of all traffic accidents.
Head-on collisions mainly happen due to the following reasons:
- When one driver drifts into the other driver’s lane.
- When one driver tries to overtake another and misjudges the distance between their vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.
- When a driver runs a red light
In each of these cases, the chances of fatalities are increased when one of the drivers was speeding. For instance, if you and an oncoming vehicle are both traveling at 50 miles per, the impact speed would be a total of 100 miles per hour. However, if you’re moving at a speed of 50 miles per hour and crash into a stationary vehicle in front of you, then the impact speed would be 50 miles per hour.
When two vehicles collide, it can result in severe injuries or fatalities in some cases. Some of the most common injuries caused by head-on collisions include broken necks, spinal cord damage, and trauma to organs.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents happen when a vehicle crashes into the side of another. These accidents mostly occur at intersections when a driver fails to yield the right way or runs the red light. The severity of a T-bone collision depends on the location of the impact and the speed and size of the vehicle.
Because the sides of a car offer less protection than the front or back, T-bone crashes can lead to serious injuries, especially for those sitting on the side that is struck. Some of the most common types of injuries associated with T-bone collisions include whiplash and concussion. In some cases, this kind of accident can also cause more serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injury, or organ damage.
Fixed Object Crashes
Fixed object collisions happen when a vehicle crashes into something that doesn’t move, like a tree, pole, guardrail, or building. These types of accidents account for 19% of all vehicle-related fatalities. They’re considered some of the deadliest accident types because the object absorbs most of the impact, and if the car is moving at high speed, the force can cause severe damage or injuries.
The cause of fixed object crashes varies from one accident to the other. However, most of them occur due to:
- Distracted driving
- Driving in bad weather
- Driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists are some of the most dangerous types of accidents on the road. That’s because, unlike passengers in vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists are exposed to the full force of any impact, even at low speeds.
These accidents often happen at crosswalks, intersections, or bike lanes, especially when drivers are distracted, speeding, or failing to yield. In 2020 alone, pedestrian accidents caused up to 17% of all accidents in the United States. Most pedestrians from these accidents suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, or even death.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident happens when a vehicle flips to its side or its roof during a crash. The vehicle might roll over once or several times before stopping, depending on how strong the crash is. Rollover accidents can happen with one or more cars, but they are most common in accidents involving just one car. These kinds of accidents often lead to serious injuries.
While any car can get into a rollover accident, trucks, SUVs, and vans can flip more easily because they are taller, meaning their center of gravity is higher. Some of the most common causes of rollover car accidents include:
- Speeding
- Sharp turns or curves
- Tire blowouts or defects
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Overloading the vehicle
- Poor road conditions
- Collisions
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into another one from behind. They’re common in stop-and-go traffic or on roads with many stoplights. While rear-end collisions are usually thought of as minor, they can be deadly when they happen at high speeds. They’re mainly caused by:
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving
- Weather conditions
- Sudden stops
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Vehicle problems
Some of the most common types of injuries caused by rear-end collisions include spinal cord injuries, whiplash, and head and neck injuries.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Multi-vehicle pileups happen when several vehicles crash into each other. These types of accidents are extremely dangerous and mostly happen on congested roads. They usually involve a chain reaction where one car crashes into another, and then that car hits the next, causing a series of collisions.
There are two main situations that cause pileup accidents. The first is heavy traffic. When traffic unexpectedly comes to a stop or slows down, drivers who aren’t able to react in time may crash into the car in front of them. This can trigger a chain reaction where multiple vehicles crash into each other, especially if there’s limited space or poor visibility.
These types of accidents are also caused by bad weather. Weather conditions like fog, rain, snow, or ice can reduce visibility and make roads slippery. These conditions make it harder for drivers to stop in time, leading to a series of collisions.
Stay Safe: Protect Yourself and Others on the Road
Certain types of car crashes, such as head-on collisions, rollovers, and T-bone accidents, are more likely to cause serious harm or death. Even a 10 to 16 miles per hour crash is considered moderate, and higher speeds only make the risks greater. By driving carefully and staying alert, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the road.
