Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents can occur in various ways, each with its own unique set of causes, consequences, and legal implications. Recognizing the types of car accidents and how they may affect your claim for damages can be an important step on your path to justice and compensation.

Some accidents leave no doubt about what happened. Others require careful investigation, expert analysis, and strong legal advocacy to prove who was at fault and why it matters. The type of collision you were involved in can influence everything from how your injuries are treated to how aggressively the insurance company fights your claim. which is why working with an experienced Manhattan car accident attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accidents, often occurring in heavy traffic, at stoplights, or in congested areas. Rear-end accidents typically happen when a driver follows another vehicle too closely or fails to pay attention to sudden stops. Distracted driving, such as texting or adjusting the radio, significantly contributes to these incidents.

Injuries from rear-end collisions can range from minor to severe. Whiplash is a common injury resulting from a sudden jolt to the neck and spine. More serious cases may involve herniated discs or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially if the impact occurs at high speeds.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous and fatal types of car accidents. They often occur on two-lane roads when a driver crosses the center line, either due to distraction, fatigue, or impaired driving. These accidents can also occur during improper passing or when a driver enters a one-way street in the wrong direction.

The force of impact in head-on collisions is typically substantial, leading to severe injuries or fatalities. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, and multiple fractures. Survivors often face long-term rehabilitation and significant medical expenses.

T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. T-bone crashes frequently happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield the right of way. The sides of vehicles offer less protection compared to the front or rear, making occupants more vulnerable.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact, often due to unsafe lane changes or merging without checking blind spots. While these accidents might seem minor, they can lead to loss of vehicle control, especially at high speeds or in adverse weather conditions.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Multi-vehicle pileups involve three or more vehicles and are often the result of chain-reaction collisions. These accidents commonly occur on highways during heavy traffic or in poor weather conditions, such as fog, rain, or snow, where visibility is reduced.

The complexity of multivehicle accidents makes determining liability extremely challenging and often requires thorough investigations.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents happen when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof. They are more common in SUVs, trucks, and vans due to their higher center of gravity. Factors contributing to rollovers include sharp turns at high speeds collisions, or hitting obstacles like curbs or medians.

Occupants in rollover accidents are at risk of severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fatalities, especially if the roof collapses or the occupants are ejected from the vehicle.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle accidents involve only one vehicle and can result from various factors, including driver error, mechanical failure, or hazardous road conditions. Examples include running off the road, hitting a stationary object, or losing control due to weather conditions.

Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents occur where two or more roads intersect and are often the result of drivers failing to obey traffic signals, misjudging the speeds of other vehicles, or making improper turns. These accidents can involve various collision types, including rear-end, T-bone, or head-on collisions.

Rideshare Accidents (Uber and Lyft Accidents)

Rideshare accidents involve vehicles operated by drivers for companies like Uber or Lyft. These accidents can be complex due to the involvement of multiple insurance policies and the driver’s status at the time of the accident (e.g., whether they were logged into the app or had a passenger).

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian crashes are some of the most tragic, often leaving victims with catastrophic or fatal injuries. These accidents typically occur at intersections, in parking lots, or on city streets where vehicles and pedestrians share the same space.

Common causes include drivers failing to yield the right of way, speeding in urban areas, running red lights, or driving while distracted.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, U.S. pedestrian deaths have surged in recent years. An estimated 7,318 pedestrians were killed in one recent year, a number that remains 14.1% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Most of these fatalities occur at night, on urban roads, and in non-intersection locations.

Injuries in pedestrian accidents are rarely minor. Victims often suffer skull fractures, spinal injuries, internal bleeding, and broken legs or hips. Many require surgeries, long-term physical therapy, and psychological support. The lack of protection makes even low-speed collisions life-changing.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists face growing risks on U.S. roads. As more people use bicycles for transportation and recreation, collisions have also risen, particularly in cities with dense traffic and limited bike infrastructure.

Most bicycle accidents occur when a driver fails to yield, makes a sudden right turn across a bike lane, or opens a door without checking (known as “dooring”). Intersections and high-traffic urban corridors are hotspots. In many cases, drivers say they “didn’t see” the cyclist—an excuse that reflects inattention rather than inevitability. The National Safety Council reports 1,377 preventable cyclist deaths in one recent year.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, drunk driving remains a leading cause of fatal accidents in the U.S. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reflexes, and encourages risky behaviors like speeding or drifting across lanes.

Drunk driving crashes often occur late at night or on weekends, particularly near bars, clubs, or event venues. They’re also disproportionately deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 12,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in one recent year, representing nearly a third of all traffic deaths.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distraction behind the wheel kills. Drivers looking at their phones, adjusting a GPS, eating, or talking to passengers may miss stop signs, veer off course, or rear-end another vehicle. These accidents can happen anywhere—from city streets to highways—and often unfold in just a few seconds.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nine people are killed and over 1,000 injured every day in the U.S. due to distracted driving. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive.

Reckless Driving and Speeding

Reckless driving includes tailgating, weaving through traffic, ignoring traffic signals, and other aggressive behaviors. Speeding remains one of the deadliest forms of driving. It not only increases the chance of a crash, but it also magnifies the severity of injuries when one happens.

Speed-related crashes tend to occur on highways, rural roads, and wide boulevards where drivers feel emboldened to push limits. According to NHTSA, speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities in one recent year, killing more than 12,000 people.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

A hit-and-run is more than just a crash; it’s a crime. When a driver flees the scene without stopping to help or exchange information, it leaves victims vulnerable and often without immediate medical aid or a path to compensation.

Why do drivers flee? In many cases, they’re trying to avoid legal consequences. Common reasons include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Lack of insurance or a valid driver’s license
• Having outstanding warrants
• Panic or fear of legal consequences
• Involvement in other criminal activity (e.g., stolen vehicles)

Hit-and-run accidents often occur in areas with poor lighting, limited surveillance, or low traffic settings where a driver thinks they can escape unnoticed. But they also happen in broad daylight and in residential neighborhoods.

Victims of hit-and-run crashes face multiple hurdles. If the driver isn’t identified, they may need to turn to their uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or seek compensation through a crime victim’s assistance program. Some states also allow civil lawsuits against parties who knowingly shield or harbor hit-and-run drivers.

Common Injuries Across Crash Types

The type of car accident often predicts the nature and severity of the injury, but certain types of harm are seen across the board:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Can result from even mild collisions, especially if there’s sudden deceleration or head contact.
• Spinal cord damage: Includes herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or full paralysis, depending on the impact location.
• Broken bones and fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and face are all vulnerable in crashes.
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Common in rear-end crashes, sometimes resulting in chronic pain or limited mobility.
• Internal injuries: Blunt trauma can damage organs and cause life-threatening bleeding.

These injuries often come with emotional and financial stress. You may face hospital stays, rehab, lost wages, and mental trauma. An attorney can help build a strong claim that accounts for the full scope of your damages.

Measures to Take After a Car Accident:

If you’ve already sought medical attention after a crash or you’re in the middle of ongoing treatment, you’re doing the most important thing you can to protect yourself. Your health comes first.

But if you haven’t been evaluated yet, do not wait. Some injuries, like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage, don’t show up right away. Delaying care can make your injuries worse and create gaps in your medical record that insurance companies may use to question your claim.

Once you take care of your immediate medical needs, your next steps matter. What you do in the days and weeks following your crash may better position you for full and fair compensation.

Here’s what to do to protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim:

• Consult with an experienced car accident lawyer. The sooner you have legal representation, the better. A lawyer can manage every part of your claim, deal with insurance adjusters, preserve evidence, and protect you from saying or doing anything that could be used against you while working to secure the compensation you deserve.
• Keep all medical appointments and follow your treatment plan. Gaps in care or missed visits give insurance companies an opportunity to challenge your claim and devalue your injuries. Even if the pain feels manageable, your recovery and the outcome of your case depend on consistency.
• Document your experience daily. Start a journal or video diary. Note your pain levels, physical limitations, emotional struggles, and how your injuries are affecting your job, family life, and daily routine. These records can serve as powerful evidence of your suffering.
• Preserve evidence. If you have any photos or videos of the crash scene, email correspondence with witnesses or insurers, or any physical evidence from the accident, make sure you keep it safe until you have a lawyer to review it.
• Save everything. Keep medical bills, appointment summaries, prescription receipts, insurance letters, and car repair estimates—every document linked to your crash or your recovery.
• Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters without consulting a lawyer. Their goal is to settle quickly and cheaply. They may sound friendly, but anything you say can be twisted to reduce your payout.
• Avoid posting on social media. Insurance companies may monitor your social media for evidence they can use against you. A photo of you at the beach, for instance, can be construed as showing that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim they are.

Legal Considerations After a Car Accident

Every type of car crash raises different legal questions. That’s why understanding the cause and classification of your accident is one of the keys to building a strong case. Important factors that affect your claim include:

• Fault and liability: Who caused the crash, and can you prove it?
• Comparative negligence: Could the other party argue you were partially responsible?
• Insurance layers: What coverage applies—personal policies, commercial, or umbrella plans?
• Damages: How severe are your injuries, and what’s the long-term impact?
• Criminal elements: Was the at-fault driver intoxicated or fleeing the scene?

A skilled personal injury attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, pull and preserve surveillance footage, analyze crash reports, and consult medical experts to present a compelling claim. The goal is always to obtain the maximum compensation that can be recovered.

Finz & Finz, P.C. Is Here to Help

When your life is upended by a car accident, you need a trusted team of lawyers with a proven record of results and a national reputation for excellence. Most of all, you need a legal team that brings power, precision, and relentless drive to your case.

At Finz & Finz, P.C., we’ve secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for injured New Yorkers, and we’re just getting started.

Our personal injury law firm was founded by former New York Supreme Court Justice Leonard L. Finz over four decades ago. Our team has grown to include three other former judges and a seasoned group of trial attorneys, paralegals, and investigators. With all of our experience, we know how to harness the power of the civil justice system to secure the compensation our clients need and deserve.

We handle every type of vehicle accident, including:

• Car crashes
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bus accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
• Drunk and distracted driving cases
• Rideshare accidents and taxi collisions
• Hit-and-run collisions
• Catastrophic and wrongful death cases
• And more

With offices on Wall Street and in Long Island, we represent clients throughout the New York Metropolitan region. Call us today in Long Island at (516) 433-3000 or Manhattan at (212) 513-1000 to schedule a free consultation, or contact us online, and we will get back to you.