Types of Car Accidents—Which Are the Most Common?

With so many distractions in vehicles, there are many ways to blunder the importance of giving the road your undivided attention. Considering there is a traffic collision on South Carolina’s roadways every 3.6 minutes, it is important to look at all the types of car accidents and possible ways to avoid them.

Here is a look at the most common types of accidents:

• Collision with another vehicle: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2022 Traffic Safety Fact Annual Report, more than 69 percent of accidents were caused by hitting another vehicle. Whether at an angle, head-on, sideswiping, or rear-ending another vehicle, the end results were the same—damage, injury, and/or loss of life.
• Collision with a fixed object: From poles and trees to culverts, guard rails, embankments, and bridges, the object’s size does not matter, nor will it give way to an oncoming vehicle. According to the traffic safety report, more than 14 percent of accidents occur in this manner, and more than 28 percent of those accidents result in a fatality. It is important to note the impact that a stationary object can have.
• Collision with an unfixed object: Parked cars, animals, pedestrians, cyclists, trains, and other objects can pose hazards and potential danger to a moving vehicle. The safety report noted that more than 14 percent of accidents occurred due to a collision with an object in motion.
• Non-collision: Although rollovers only accounted for 1.4 percent of accidents, 7 percent were fatal, while 3 percent resulted in injury, the report showed.

How Can I Protect Myself?

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Collision Fact Book published in 2021, Charleston County ranks among the top five in the state for the most traffic collisions, fatal traffic collisions, and injury collisions.

To avoid becoming a statistic, be aware of some of the factors that contribute to the most common types of accidents, such as the following:

• Speed: The Traffic Collision Fact Book notes that driving too fast for the conditions is the number-one reason for accidents.
• Failure to yield: Giving other vehicles the right of way to pass or turn onto an adjacent roadway accounted for 29,274 accidents in 2021.
• Driving under the influence: In South Carolina, it is inferred that you are under the influence when your BAC is greater than or equal to 0.08 (as of July 2003).
• Debris: Fallen trees and garbage are possible roadblocks to look out for.
• Animals: Alive or dead, animals can wreak havoc on highways and streets across the country.
• Mechanical failure: Brakes and tires are the most common reasons for losing control.
• Distracted driving: Texting, talking to other vehicle occupants, and fiddling with gadgets can all lead to roadway mishaps.
• Following too closely: Tailgating the vehicle in front of you can lead to various types of collisions.

The Charleston Car Accident Lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC Will Help You With Any Questions

The Charleston car accident lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC are here to help you make sense of your crash and the laws regarding South Carolina car accidents. For a free consultation, contact us online or call 843-727-6500 or 888-293-6883. Our office locations are in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Aiken, and Columbia, South Carolina, and we serve clients throughout the state.