Types of Los Angeles Car Accidents

Understanding Different Types of Los Angeles Car Accidents

Collisions usually get differentiated by the way the vehicle collides. The nature of the collision can also tell you how the crash happened and who bears liability for the property damage and injuries that resulted.

Some common types of Los Angeles car accidents include:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end crashes happen about 41.6% of the time, according to the NSC. These crashes occur when a rear vehicle hits the back end of a front vehicle. 

Causes of rear-end collisions typically include:

• Following too closely
• Speeding
• Distracted driving

These crashes can cause a range of injuries, including whiplash, chest bruises, and facial injuries. But they are rarely fatal. According to the NSC, only about 17.7% of fatal crashes are rear-end collisions.

The liability for rear-end collisions often falls on the driver of the rear vehicle. These drivers must follow at a safe distance. A rear-end crash suggests that the rear vehicle was unreasonably close.

But occasionally, the liability falls on the front driver. This happens when the front driver does something to cause the crash, like brake checking or cutting off the other driver.

Angle Collisions

Angle collisions usually happen at intersections. 

Intersection crashes can result from:

• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Making an unsafe turn

These crashes tend to cause more serious injuries than rear-end crashes. According to the NSC, only 35.4% of crashes are angle collisions. But angle collisions make up about 46.8% of fatal crashes, making them the deadliest type of crash.

The liability for an angle collision usually falls on the driver who failed to yield at an intersection. For example, a driver turning left will bear liability if they turn across an oncoming vehicle’s path.

Sideswipe Crashes

Sideswipe crashes usually result from an unsafe lane change or lane drift. 

These behaviors can happen due to:

• Failing to check the driver’s blind spots
• Poor directional control
• Distracted driving
• Cutting off other drivers

These crashes are the least likely to cause death. Sideswipe collisions only make up 8.9% of fatal car accidents.

Liability for these crashes usually falls on the driver who departed their lane and caused the crash.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes happen when someone drives on the wrong side of the road. Even if it only occurs briefly, a wrong-way driver has a high risk of crashing into another vehicle. 

Causes of head-on collisions may include:

• Distracted driving
• Intoxicated driving
• Visual impairment
• Dementia

A head-on collision has a very high risk of killing or seriously injuring those involved. Because the vehicles are traveling toward each other, an impact can produce a more substantial amount of crash energy compared to other crashes. Definitely one of the most dangerous types of car accidents.