Common Types of Car Collisions

While no one ever likes to think about being hurt in a motor vehicle accident, car crashes happen all of the time. Some of these accidents are more serious than others, resulting in severe injuries and even death.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, it is likely that the accident involved a head-on collision, a rear-end crash, or a side-impact crash (also called a “T-bone” or a broadside accident).

While there are many different types of motor vehicle crashes, these accidents are among the most common types of collisions occurring on roads and highways in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

Because the injuries and damages associated with these and other types of auto accidents can be devastating, it is critical to discuss your case with an experienced Boca Raton car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident occurs.

The legal team at Hollander Law Firm has vast experience handling motor vehicle injury cases throughout the Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach areas.

We know that a car crash can turn your life upside down in an instant and we are committed to helping people just like you get the compensation they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among some of the most serious auto accidents that can happen. When two cars are traveling in opposite directions at high rates of speed, the impact of the crash can be fatal for both drivers and the occupants of their vehicles.

These front-end crashes are so dangerous because the force of impact is doubled when two cars collide head-on. If the victims are lucky enough to survive the collision, they often suffer critical injuries that require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

In some cases, the injuries are so severe that the survivors are left with lifelong and permanent disabilities.

How do Head-On Crashes Happen?

While there are numerous reasons why head-on crashes happen, the factors listed below are some of the most common contributors to head-on collisions:

• Distracted driving
• Unsafe attempts to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Excessive speeding
• Fatigued and drowsy drivers
• Poor weather conditions and road visibility
• Objects or debris on the road causing a driver to swerve into another lane
• Poor signage leading to confusion over one-way roads

Steps You can Take to Avoid Head-On Collisions

While not every car accident can be avoided, there are steps you can take to help prevent the likelihood of a deadly front-end collision from occurring. These include:

• Slowing down and obeying the speed limit
• Paying close attention to pavement markings on roads and highways
• Always looking out for “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs to make sure you are driving in the right direction
• Pulling over and taking a rest when you feel tired or fatigued
• Never attempt to pass another vehicle when there is a solid yellow center line on your side or when you don’t have enough space or time to pass safely
• Never get behind the wheel of a car (or letting someone else do so) after drinking alcohol or taking any drugs that may impact your ability to drive safely

Rear-End Collisions

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Board (NHTSB), between 2012 and 2014, nearly half of the two-vehicle accidents occurring on U.S. roads and highways were rear-end crashes.

While most people associate rear-end collisions (or “fender benders”) with minor damages and injuries, the NHTSB reports that these rear-end crashes killed more than 1,700 individuals each year.

Rear-end accidents generally happen when a motorist is caught in slow-moving traffic or stopped at a light or stop sign and is struck by the car behind them. In most cases, the motorist has no warning and is unable to do anything to avoid the accident because he or she cannot see the crash coming.

Unfortunately, drivers and passengers involved in these types of collisions can suffer very serious and painful injuries. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a rear-end collision, you should speak with a qualified car accident attorney who can explain your rights and help you get the financial compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life.

Common Injuries Suffered in a Rear-End Collision

At Hollander Law Firm, we know that people can be badly hurt when a rear-end auto accident occurs. Our legal team helps accident victims recover from a wide range of injuries suffered in rear-end crashes, with some of the most common injuries including:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones and fractures
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Back injuries
• Airbag and seatbelt injuries
• Wrist and arm injuries

Oftentimes, injuries like whiplash do not present themselves immediately after the accident and it may take days or even weeks before they appear. This is why it is so important to be seen by a doctor immediately following a rear-end collision.

A doctor can fully evaluate your condition and order the medical tests necessary to properly diagnose and document your injuries. In doing so, you are taking care of yourself and developing the evidence that your West Palm Beach car accident attorney will need to support your car accident claim and injuries.

Why do Rear-End Crashes Occur so Often in Boca Raton, FL?

If you drive on the crowded roads and freeways of the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton regions, you have probably seen your share of rear-end collisions. While drivers are required to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them, they often fail to do so which can result in a serious crash.

Some of the most common behaviors that cause rear-end crashes to occur include:

• Distracted Drivers. Texting, eating or drinking, talking with passengers in the car, reaching for an object or fiddling with audio or climate controls are a just a few of the behaviors that can cause a driver to take his or her eyes off the road, resulting in a serious rear-end crash.
• Speeding. Failing to follow the posted speed limit and/or driving too fast for conditions puts everyone on the road at risk for an accident. When a motorist drives too fast in slow-moving traffic, the motorist may not be able to stop in time if the vehicle in front must stop suddenly.
• Tailgating. When a rear-vehicle driver follows too closely behind another vehicle, he or she may not be able to avoid a crash should the car in front need to brake suddenly or stop.
• Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs put everyone else on the road at serious risk for injuries. Alcohol and drugs impair the driver’s ability to estimate distances and speeds that can result in a rear-end accident and injuries.
• Poor weather conditions. Rain, fog, high winds and other dangerous weather conditions can play a substantial role in rear-end crashes. When visibility is impaired or roads are slick, drivers may not be able to stop in time to avoid colliding with the car in front of them.
• Driver fatigue. Driver fatigue can have severe consequences. Because reaction times are slowed dramatically when a driver is tired or drowsy, fatigued drivers are at an increased risk for being involved in a rear-end accident.

Side Impact (or “T-Bone” or Broadside) Accidents

Side impact collisions, which also called “T-bone” or “broadside” crashes, are some of the most serious types of motor vehicle accidents occurring on crowded roadways in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and other areas of South Florida.

A side impact or broadside crash happens when the side of one car is struck by the front end of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape.

When a side impact crash occurs, both drivers and occupants of the vehicles can suffer very severe injuries and event fatalities. While newer vehicles on the road today may be equipped with advanced safety features such as curtain side airbags, this type of safety equipment is generally not found on older cars and trucks.

According to reports from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute, side crashes account for about one in four passenger vehicle fatalities in the United States.

These crashes are extraordinarily dangerous because when a car or truck traveling at a high rate of speed rams into another vehicle on the side, the side of the vehicle offers far less protection than the front or back.

Generally, without a side airbag, the only protection offered to occupants is the door and window.

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Hollander Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to represent victims of side impact car, truck and SUV accidents.

Our personal injury firm offers a team of seasoned legal professionals who know how to investigate and build a powerful case to help ensure that side impact car accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve.

How do T-Bone Accidents Happen?

While there are many different factors that can contribute to a broadside or T-bone accident, some of the most common causes include:

• Drivers who fail to properly yield the right-of-way at an intersection
• Drivers who run a red light or fail to stop at a stop sign
• Motorists who speed or drive too fast for conditions
• Motorists who drive recklessly or aggressively
• Drivers who make an unlawful left turn
• Distracted drivers, including drivers who text or talk on cell phones
• Drivers who operate motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol of drugs
• Defective motor vehicle parts, including brakes or a steering system that malfunctions
• Poor weather conditions

Determining who is to blame for a T-bone accident is not always an easy process. At Hollander Law Firm, we carefully investigate each claim, including examining the scene of the accident, reviewing reports and gathering eyewitness testimony and other critical evidence, to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident.

The sad truth is that many of these motor vehicle accidents could have been prevented if the driver had acted appropriately and exercised reasonable care on the road.

When negligence is to blame for your accident, our firm will do everything we can to help you collect all the damages to which you are legally entitled.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Side Impact Accident Occurs?

In Florida, a person has the legal right to recover compensation when they are seriously injured in a car accident that was the result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a side impact crash, a skilled Boca Raton car accident lawyer can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

There are several types of personal injury damages that you may be able to recover if you are able to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party. These include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of affection/consortium
• Wrongful death
• Punitive damages (may be available in cases where the defendant’s conduct is egregious)

Injured in Side Impact Crash? Seek Advice From an Experienced Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one is dealing with the aftermath of a T-bone or side-impact accident, it is imperative to speak with a Boca Raton auto accident attorney as soon as possible.

Hollander Law Firm is committed to helping people who have been seriously injured in all types of motor vehicle collisions get the compensation they need to recover both physically and emotionally.

Our Boca Raton personal injury firm represents car accident victims and families throughout the Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach regions. You can contact Attorney Gregg Hollander today to schedule a free evaluation of your case by calling (561) 347-7770.

Hollander Law Firm handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay any legal fees unless we successfully settle or win your case.

Car Accident Cases We Cover

• Rollover accidents
• Parking lot accidents
• Hit and run accidents
• Illegal driving maneuvers

Additional Resources

• Car Accident FAQs
• Florida Car Accident Statistics
• Can I Be Compensated For Pre-Existing Conditions After a Car Accident?