Types and Causes of Car Accidents

There are many different types of car wrecks. It may be helpful for you to understand more about the type of accident that has injured you or a loved one. You can get a better understanding of what may have caused the accident, the party who should be held responsible and what you may possibly recover for your losses.

Please review the information and links we have provided in this section and contact an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer from our firm to discuss the specific aspects of your case.

Causes of Car Accidents

Common causes of car accidents include:

  • Distracted Driving
    Drivers that have their attention diverted to distractions are more likely to cause accidents. Driving distractions may include: Eating/drinking, talking, brushing hair or putting on makeup, reading books/maps, using GPS devices, watching videos, tuning radios.
  • Texting-While-Driving
    Drivers who are texting on a cell phone have both their hands and eyes distracted from the road. You are 23 times more likely to get into a crash when you are texting while driving than you would be if you were driving without a distraction.
  • Drowsy Driving
    Drivers who don’t get enough sleep are more susceptible to causing accidents. The body requires rest in order to remain alert and have a fast enough reaction time to prevent an accident. Drowsy driving accidents are both common and dangerous.
  • Drugged Driving
    Drivers under the influence of any drug that impairs one’s motor skills, reaction time, or judgment have a higher risk of causing accidents. Drugged driving is a threat to the safety of motorists and is considered to be negligence.
  • Drunk Driving
    Drunk driving, like drugged driving, is a common cause of car accidents. If one’s mind is impaired, their ability to drive also becomes impaired. Drunk driving crashes have a horrible impact on victims and their families.
  • Speeding
    Speeding causes accidents because speeding drivers often don’t have enough time to stop or avoid a collision. Speed limits are in place to keep drivers safe and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Drivers who speed are driving recklessly.
  • Reckless Driving
    Reckless driving can include speeding, running lights, failing to yield, weaving, tailgating, racing, or other negligent actions while driving. Reckless driving puts other drivers at risk and is a common cause of car accidents.
crashed car

Types of Car Accidents

Common types of car accidents include:

  • Head-on Collisions
    Negligence usually plays a role in head-on collisions. These types of collisions are among the most devastating.
  • Highway Construction Accidents
    Construction companies have a responsibility to not cause accidents. Other drivers should drive more carefully in highway construction areas.
  • Intersection Accidents
    Accidents at intersections are usually caused because someone made a driving error, which could be attributed to negligence.
  • Interstate Accidents
    Accidents on the interstate can be more serious due to the speeds at which the cars are traveling.
  • Rear-End Accidents
    Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of accidents, and they frequently cause whiplash.
  • Side-Impact Accidents
    Side-impact accidents are also common, and usually occur at intersections. They can cause more injuries depending on where the car was hit.