The 7 Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Illinois and How They Happen

While car accidents in Illinois aren’t as frequent as they are in other states, they do still happen. The good news is that many of them are not fatal, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t cause serious injuries and/or damage to the vehicles involved. Here’s a look at the seven most common types of car accidents in the state of Illinois and what can cause each type of accident.

#1: T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents, also known as sideswipe accidents, are when one car hits the side of another car. This type of accident usually happens at an intersection when a car runs a red light or stop/yield sign without taking into account the oncoming traffic. T-bone accidents are almost always caused by the negligence of a driver, mainly due to distracted driving. Distracted driving can be caused by any of the following:

  • Texting and driving
  • Talking on the phone while driving
  • Talking to other passengers in the car
  • Eating while driving

This type of accident is reported the most to car insurance companies, as they’re the most common type of motor vehicle accident.

#2: Single-Vehicle Crashes

As the name suggests, single-vehicle crashes only involve one vehicle. This type of accident usually involves teen drivers, as they’re not as experienced and their judgment isn’t on the same level as adults. Some of the most common causes of single-vehicle crashes include slippery roads, which can lead to a car:

  • Hitting a stationary object
  • Running off the road
  • Spinning out of control

Other causes of single-vehicle crashes include breaking too hard, swerving to avoid hitting an animal, and also driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs.

#3: Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents happen when the vehicle rolls over, likely due to an impact from another vehicle— but rollover accidents can also result from a single-vehicle crash. They’re typically caused by one or more of the following:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Impaired driving (DUI)
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Distracted driving

This is usually the most deadly type of car accident, and drivers and passengers can even be ejected from the vehicle.

#4: Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions happen when one car hits the back of another. Many things can cause this type of car accident, but they’re mostly caused by following too closely behind a car (tailgating) and distracted/reckless driving. Following too closely behind another car is a form of reckless driving, and other examples include:

  • Speeding
  • Drag racing
  • Breaking traffic laws
  • Aggressive lane changing

Driving recklessly doesn’t give you enough time to slow down and make good decisions, which is why this often leads to a rear-end collision. Distracted driving is another major cause of rear-end accidents because drivers aren’t paying attention to the road and therefore, don’t stop along with traffic.

#5: Multi-Vehicle Crashes

A multi-vehicle crash is defined as three or more vehicles involved in an accident. This is usually the result of a chain reaction from a rear-end collision, but other common car wreck causes (i.e., reckless driving, impaired driving, and distracted driving) can cause a multi-vehicle crash. Multi-vehicle crashes can also be quite deadly, and more than one driver can be at fault for this type of wreck.

#6: Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions occur when the front ends of two cars collide. This is the next deadliest type of collision, after rollover accidents. Some of the most common causes of a head-on collision include:

  • Reckless driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Distracted driving

#7: Blind Spot/Merging Accidents

When merging or changing lanes, drivers should always check their blind spot to ensure that another vehicle isn’t coming, However, this doesn’t always happen and this results in an accident. This typically happens to semi-trucks because they have huge blind spots, but this can also happen to large cars. Motorcycles and smaller cars can be victims of this type of accident caused by bigger cars.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists always face the most severe injuries of all these accidents because there isn’t a car surrounding them to protect them. Fortunately, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help them receive compensation for their injuries.

No matter what type of motor vehicle accident you’re involved in, it’s always a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer that specializes in car accidents— especially if you didn’t cause the wreck. They’ll make sure that you get the compensation you’re entitled to. So after calling the police, visiting a doctor, and reporting to your insurance company, make sure you also consult with a lawyer.

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