Every year, Houston car accidents inflict billions of dollars in economic damage. However, no amount of dollars can fully account for these crashes’ devastating personal impact on victims.
Human error is the number one contributing factor to all Houston car accidents. These collisions happen because drivers make mistakes behind the wheel that put innocent crash victims in harm’s way.
Rear-End Collisions
Regarding car accidents in Houston, rear-end collisions are among the most common crashes. However, these accidents can be hazardous and cause serious injuries.
Sometimes rear-end collisions can be minor fender-benders, but many end up causing significant property damage and even traumatic injuries. Those involved in these accidents may suffer whiplash injuries that result in headaches, neck pain, and other long-lasting effects.
In these cases, you might need a personal injury lawyer to help determine your damages and seek compensation from the driver who caused your crash. The severity of your accident will also significantly impact your ability to recover.
Numerous factors, including speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving, can cause rear-end collisions. These dangerous behaviors can cause a person to miss vital signs or red lights and hit another vehicle in front of them.
Other causes of rear-end collisions include road defects, a driver drinking or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and faulty brake lights on the vehicles involved in the accident. These types of accidents can occur on both freeways and local roads.
Regardless of the type of crash that you were involved in, it is essential to remain calm after an accident and call the police as soon as possible. This will help ensure you get the care you need and provide evidence for your case if you decide to file a lawsuit.
If unsure of your rights after a car accident, speak with an experienced and compassionate Houston car accident attorney. They will be able to guide you through the legal process and help you get the compensation you need to make ends meet while recovering from your injuries.
The most common reason for a rear-end collision is when one driver follows too closely behind another. These accidents are also commonly known as “Tailgating Collisions.”
Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions, called T-bone crashes, occur when one vehicle strikes another on the side of the road, most often at intersections. These crashes are often caused by drunk driving, drowsy driving, or distracted driving and are among the most dangerous types of car accidents in Houston.
Injuries from a side impact crash are severe and can be life-threatening. In addition, side-impact collisions can cause secondary crashes, including hitting other vehicles, pedestrians, and stationary objects such as buildings and telephone poles.
Injuries can vary in severity depending on the position of the car and occupants. For example, a front-seat driver may experience severe head injuries, while a rear-seat passenger may suffer broken pelvis bones and upper-leg fractures.
Most of these injuries are preventable and can be prevented by following the rules of the road and obeying traffic signals. However, these crashes can be devastating for the victims and their families.
If you have been involved in a side-impact accident, contact a Houston car accident lawyer as soon as possible. This will help ensure that your medical and financial needs are taken care of after the accident.
A side-impact collision can be particularly dangerous if it causes the car to roll over or spin. This can result in additional crash-related injuries, including traumatic brain injury and death.
During the first impact, airbags are deployed to protect occupants, but these are not always enough to fully protect those in your car’s front and back seats. Injuries from a side-impact collision can include sprains, strains, and shattered bones.
The center of the body is especially vulnerable in side-impact crashes due to the lack of protection. Injuries to the ribs, chest, heart, kidneys, liver and other organs are common in these incidents.
Many of these injuries are not apparent right away. They may take several days or weeks to manifest, and they can become more severe over time.
Injuries to the pelvis and lower limbs are common in side-impact crashes, especially in male victims. Pelvic fractures can be severe and require lengthy recovery times.
Head-On Collisions
If you are a driver or passenger involved in a head-on collision, you will likely experience serious injuries. These hazardous accidents can lead to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and loss of limbs.
These injuries can be life-threatening, regardless of whether your airbags are deployed correctly. You must seek medical attention immediately and consult a Houston car accident attorney about your legal options.
Speeding is one of the leading causes of head-on collisions. It thrills drivers, but it can also result in severe injuries and death.
Drunk driving is another common cause of head-on collisions, as drunk drivers often drive in the wrong lane or take shortcuts that cause them to veer off the road and collide with oncoming traffic.
Wrong-Way Driving is also a significant factor, as many streets in Houston are one-way roads. Those new to the area or who need to learn the road rules often get lost or make mistakes when driving down these streets.
The sheer force of a head-on collision can break bones and tear apart the interiors of cars. These crashes can also lead to severe bruising, internal injuries, and loss of limbs or paralysis.
Injuries to the lower leg and femur can be particularly devastating, as can injuries to the head, neck, or spine. These injuries can be highly disabling and may require surgery or other treatment for several months.
Traumatic brain injuries are prevalent in these crashes and can be fatal. A victim who suffers a brain injury could be left with a lifetime of physical pain and even have trouble concentrating at work or school.
People are not uncommonly thrown from their vehicles during a crash. The crash’s impact can sever a person’s spine, causing disc herniations or spinal cord damage.
In addition to these physical injuries, victims can also suffer emotional trauma from their accidents, which can cause depression and anxiety. They may be unable to work and care for their family, which can affect their relationships with spouses and children. In addition, they may be impacted by financial difficulties after an accident. Fortunately, they can recover compensation for these losses through a personal injury lawsuit.
Multiple-Car Pileups
A multi-car pileup is a common type of car crash that occurs when several vehicles are involved in an accident. These accidents can be hazardous, mainly when they occur on busy highways. They often cause fatalities and severe injuries to motorists involved in them.
Various factors, including inclement weather, poor road conditions, and distractions, can cause these crashes. They can also result from a negligent driver’s actions, such as speeding or driving intoxicated.
In most cases, the driver responsible for causing the first collision in a pileup will be at fault. However, in a few instances, other drivers may also have some responsibility.
For example, let’s say a car runs a red light and then t-bones another vehicle crossing in front of it. In this case, the car that t-boned the first car is at fault for causing the second crash and all of the cars in the accident.
Another common reason for multi-car pileups is when a vehicle changes lanes and clips another vehicle in the opposite lane, causing them to hit each other. The driver who changed lanes is at fault for this crash, but other cars may also have some responsibility if they had the opportunity to avoid the collision.
These accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and it is essential to know what to do if you are in one. Generally, it is recommended to stay in your vehicle until emergency responders arrive and tell you what to do.
Turning on your hazard lights so other drivers can see the accident scene is also a good idea. This will help them be more aware of the situation and avoid crashes.
If you or a loved one is injured in a multi-car pileup, it is imperative to contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. These types of accidents are incredibly complicated and can involve a multitude of legal issues. A skilled lawyer can determine who is at fault and take action to hold that person accountable for the damages they have caused.