One of the simplest ways to categorize motor vehicle collisions relates to the angle of impact. Safety professionals often group collisions based on how the vehicles strike one another.
Each type of crash has an association with different patterns of vehicle damage and occupant injuries. Head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, angle collisions and sideswipes account for the vast majority of reported motor vehicle crashes in the United States every year.
Each of those crashes causes unique vehicle damage and carries the risk of specific types of injuries. They are also responsible for a portion of all traffic fatalities each year. Which type of crash has the greatest likelihood of resulting in a fatality?
Side impacts are the most dangerous
Most vehicle safety systems undergo testing for head-on collision scenarios. Airbags, safety restraints and even the reinforcement of a vehicle’s frame prioritize minimizing structural damage to the vehicle and risk to the occupants in the event of a head-on collision.
Angle crashes, also known as T-bone or side-impact crashes, often lead to vehicles crumpling in a manner that endangers occupants. There are fewer safety systems standard in vehicles to address this type of impact, which may be one reason why side impact crashes account for more fatalities than any other type of wreck. The driver at fault for a fatal side-impact collision may not have enough insurance to fully cover the costs generated when a collision leads to premature mortality.
Those involved in tragic side-impact crashes may need to work with an attorney to address and recover their losses. Working with the lawyer to estimate financial losses, document fault and evaluate compensation options can help those affected by serious and fatal collisions limit their long-term losses.