The Legal Implications For Four Types Of Auto Accidents
A car accident is a type of accident that often has consequences for everyone involved. A person may be responsible for damaging property and injuring someone else, and a victim can be on the receiving end of that damage. That is where the laws surrounding car accidents help assign fault so that victims can be compensated. Here are a few different types of auto accidents, and what the associated legal implications are for each of them.
Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end accident happens when one driver crashes their vehicle into the back of another vehicle. It often happens when tailgating another driver at an unsafe distance, not stopping in time, and being distracted behind the wheel. Rear-end accidents are unique because it is clear which driver hit the other vehicle, and the fault will be assigned to that driver.
Side-Impact Accidents
A side-impact accident is also known as a T-bone accident, and it happens when one driver fails to stop in time when going through an intersection and crashes into another vehicle. This is a type of accident where it can be difficult to assign fault based on the accident site and how the cars are arranged. Instead, evidence must be gathered from local traffic laws to determine who is at fault. One driver likely is the one that drove through a stop sign or red light to cause the accident.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision can be quite dangerous since it is when both vehicles collide in a front-to-front manner. It can lead to serious injuries or death due to the nature of both vehicles coming to a sudden stop. Fault is determined in a head-on collision by looking at the position of the vehicles, since one driver could have crossed a dividing line and caused the accident. It can also help to look for signs of intoxication that influenced a driver's negligence.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipes are a type of accident that happens when two vehicles touch while driving in the same direction. These accidents can range from minor to quite serious, which depends on if a vehicle was pushed off the road due to the impact. They are often caused by driver negligence, such as not checking a blind spot or improperly changing lanes. Sometimes the only way to assign fault in a sideswipe accident is through witness statements, dash cams, or looking closely at the vehicle damage.
Contact a local car accident lawyer to learn more.