With more than 276 million vehicles registered in the U.S., it's not surprising that there are a relatively high number of car accidents across the country. In Pennsylvania alone, there are more than 10.7 million registered vehicles, which almost equates to one vehicle for every person in the state.
Although the vast majority of journeys are uneventful, sadly, car accidents are a common occurrence. Tragically, the number of fatal crashes in Philadelphia in 2020 was the highest in more than 23 years, which highlights just how dangerous the city's roads can be. To get a little more insight into how and why people are injured on the roads, take a look at the most common types of car accident cited by the Pennsylvania Department of Transport:
1. Hitting Fixed Objects
A single vehicle hitting a fixed object, such as a telephone pole or a barrier, is the most common cause of collisions in the state, accounting for more than 36,000 crashes in 2019 alone. Although these types of accidents are often caused by driver error, malfunctioning vehicles can also increase the risk of colliding with a fixed or stationary object.
2. Angle Collisions
The term 'angle collisions' refers to two or more vehicles colliding with each other, at an angle, while traveling in different directions. This might occur at a junction, if one vehicle pulls out without checking that the road is clear, for example. Often referred to as a 'T-bone crash', these types of incidents accounted for more than 34,000 collisions in one year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transport.
3. Rear End Impacts
If a driver doesn't notice a stationary vehicle ahead or is unable to stop in time, a rear end collision is likely to occur. Generally, the driver of the stationary vehicle is not responsible for this type of incident, as the driver of the moving vehicle is required to keep their eyes on the road and identify potential hazards. Depending on the speed of the moving vehicle at the time of the impact, rear end collisions can be extremely serious and cause people to sustain life-threatening injuries.
Other Types of Car Accidents
Although hitting fixed objects, angle collisions and rear end impacts account for the vast majority of traffic accidents, sideswipe and head on crashes also occur fairly regularly. Similarly, vehicles colliding directly with pedestrians also account for around 3% of accidents and 14% of fatalities.
Taking Legal Action After an Accident
If you've been involved in a car accident in Philadelphia or elsewhere in the state, it's well worth seeking legal advice. If someone or something else was responsible for the incident, experienced personal injury lawyers like Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC, can help you to make a claim for compensation.
The financial impact of a car accident should never be overlooked. As well as dealing with physical and/or psychological injuries, you may lose income and incur increased costs due to an unexpected accident or injury. By taking legal action, you can ensure that the person responsible is held liable for their actions or negligence and access the compensation you deserve.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
