There are over 5 million traffic accidents annually across the country and right here on Colorado’s Front Range. These accidents take all kinds of forms, and involve all kinds of drivers and vehicles. Of those accidents, over 1.5 million result in some injury, from bruises and friction burn from seat belts to death from various causes. There are four types of accident that represent a large portion of car accidents nationwide.
Rear-end collisions, in which one vehicle strikes another from behind, are extremely common, and are typically considered to be the fault of the vehicle in the rear. These accidents often occur when a driver is following too closely, and the driver in front brakes hard and suddenly or when a driver is not paying attention and drives into the back of a vehicle that has stopped for a red light or stop sign. Inclement weather can increase the likelihood of rear-end accidents.
Many rear-end collisions result in brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, as the heads and bodies of the occupants of the car in front are jarred suddenly by the collision. These injuries can be some of the most life-threatening, with potentially lingering effects such as chronic pain and long-term brain injury.
A head-on collision, in which two vehicles traveling opposite directions strike each other from the front, can be catastrophic to everyone involved, as well as to vehicles in the vicinity. A head-on collision at highway speeds may have unpredictable effects, and could very easily be fatal. Many head-on collisions are caused by drivers who have lost control of their vehicles due to fatigue, drugs or alcohol, distracting behavior, or avoidance of highway obstructions.
The injuries involved in a head-on collision are impossible to predict and may range from scratches and bruises to severe brain injuries.
Generally, with side impact collisions, we think of the t-bone accident, in which one vehicle drives head first into the side of another but it can also refer to the sideswipe accident where one vehicle merges into a space already occupied by another vehicle traveling the same direction. The t-bone is often caused by failure to yield the right-of-way at an intersection or parking lot or driveway entrance. The sideswipe is often the result of a failure to be sure that there is room before making a lane change.
T-bone accidents often result in brain injuries and spinal injuries due to the sudden force with which the body is struck. These injuries can be devastating as they can have long-lasting effects such as brain damage or chronic pain. Sideswipe accidents may cause one vehicle to leave the road, potentially causing a very dangerous rollover.
Rollover accidents, in which a vehicle rolls off of its wheels, are often caused by a driver leaving the roadway. This may be the result of a collision with another vehicle, but in many cases rollovers are single-vehicle accidents.
In a rollover accident, the bodies of the occupants may be whipped around in unpredictable ways, especially if they are not properly restrained with seat belts. Brain injuries and neck injuries are quite common in rollover accidents.
Keith Fuicelli at the Law Firm of Fuicelli and Lee is a Denver car accident lawyer who is committed to providing the highest level of personal service and integrity to people injured in car crashes. If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact Keith today for a FREE CONSULTATION. Keith will discuss the details of the accident and your options, and help you determine whether to pursue legal action. He may also be able to assist in filing disability claims or negotiating with insurance companies. For more information, contact Keith at (303)355-7202.
We represent clients throughout Colorado who have been injured due to another's negligence, carelessness or wrongful acts. Our firm handles a broad range of personal injury cases, including: