There is no question as to the many advantages that we obtain from driving a car, with the most obvious one being the freedom and independence they provide in getting where you need to go.. But despite their advantages, cars can also be dangerous machines, especially at the hands of careless, inexperienced drivers, or those who are under the influence of alcohol.
In addition, there are other different factors that can easily cause car accidents, such as driver distractions, fatigue, and speeding. Despite the safe driving campaigns that have been implemented throughout Ohio, car accidents in our state remain common. Over 1,200 Ohioans will likely perish in a car accident this year.
What are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?
There are many ways that a car accident can happen, and these can be classified by the type and direction of the collision in which the opposing car hits us. The most common form of automobile collision occurs when a vehicle collides with the rear end of another vehicle. These incidents can cause serious injuries to the victims, such as neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other serious ailments. In most rear-end collisions, the vehicle in the back is to blame.
Head-on collisions occur when two automobiles driving in opposing directions collide. These accidents typically result in severe injuries that are oftentimes fatal. Depending on how quickly the automobiles were traveling, their impact might be significant. In rare situations, when the vehicles collide, occupants may be flung forward and slammed against the dashboards of the vehicles. This might result in life-threatening injuries or death.
When a car rolls over after a collision, it can cause serious damage to both the driver and the passengers. Rollover crashes tend to result in more fatalities than any other form of crash, according to statistics. Rollover accidents are frequently caused by inattentive drivers, or even from design defects in the vehicle itself.
Pedestrians are frequently injured in hit-and-run incidents because they are hit or driven over by automobiles that then flee from the area. The majority of the time, motorists abandon the scene because they do not have enough insurance coverage to pay the damages. Alcohol can also play a role in a driver’s decision to not stick around, or they may also escape the scene if they do not have a valid driver’s license to hand over to the police when questioned.
Car Accident Injuries
A neck injury, whether in a lesser form such as whiplash or from catastrophic damage to a single or multiple vertebrae, is one of the most prevalent and predictable injuries associated with a vehicle collision. A hidden danger of whiplash (and other minor neck injuries) is that adrenaline may mask the injury in the early aftermath of a collision, especially if there are other, more obvious injuries present.
Many other areas of the body might have strained, ripped, or injured muscles or ligaments, in addition to a neck injury. People who suspect an accident is about to occur are more likely to tighten up as part of the “fight or flight” reaction, which causes more muscle injury upon impact. More catastrophic incidents might result in organ damage or rupture, other fractured bones, or even Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), in addition to injured muscles and ligaments.
Aside from physical injuries, automobile accident victims frequently experience PTSD or anxiety as a result of the traumatic event. This might happen even if the motorist is not physically injured in the accident. Mental effects like these are a serious issue, especially since they have a direct influence on a person’s quality of life. Victims of this sort of injury may find it difficult to get to work, buy groceries, transport their children to sports, as well as a variety of other driving-related tasks.
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you are involved in an automobile accident in Ohio, you must first call the authorities. It is also a good idea to contact emergency medical help right away. Check on the well-being and safety of yourself, your passengers, and all other persons involved in the crash. After any injuries have been treated, establish a list of the other drivers’ information, including their:
Names
Insurance information
Automobile make and model
License plate numbers
It is also a good idea to visit a doctor as soon as possible to get an official assessment of any injuries you may have sustained in the accident. Going to the doctor will not only aid your recovery, but it will also allow you to document any injuries you may have received as a result of the accident and bolster your personal injury claim.
Were You in a Car Accident in Miamisburg, Ohio?
If you have been in a car accident in the Miamisburg area, then you need to speak to a trusted attorney right away, as the statute of limitations is just two years following an injury. Please contact us at Kruger & Hodges today to schedule your free, no-risk case evaluation with our team of personal injury attorneys. We can help you better understand your rights so you can get the justice you deserve.
