Types of Car Accidents: Rear-End, T-Bone, Head-On, and Hit-and-Run

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of accidental injuries and deaths throughout the US each year. Most crashes involving multiple vehicles are caused by driver negligence, and many types of car accidents occur nationwide because of distracted driving, moving violations, speeding, and other causes. It’s important to understand the different types of car accidents, their associated risks, and the unique legal issues each type of accident could present.

Most Common Types of Car Accidents

Each year throughout the US, motor vehicle crashes cause billions in damage, including the cost of necessary vehicle repairs, medical bills, and other losses. Every state has different rules for resolving car accident claims, with some focusing on fault while others require drivers to have no-fault insurance to minimize the number of civil suits filed each year.

After you or a loved one is hurt in a car accident, you will not only need to understand your state’s car accident laws, but also what unique legal issues the accident itself might present. According to the National Safety Council, there were 13,101,000 crashes in 2024, and some of the most common types of car accidents in the US include: 

• Rear-end collisions, which accounted for 40.1% of all vehicle accidents in the US in 2024. These accidents may result from driver inattention, speeding, poor visibility, moving violations, and many other causes. In most of these cases, the rear driver is to blame. Drivers are expected to leave adequate space to slow down or stop. However, a leading driver could be found partially liable in some of these accident cases.
• Angle collisions, in which one vehicle hits another vehicle in the side or at another angle other than directly from the front or rear. These accounted for about 32.7% of all vehicle crashes nationwide in 2024. “T-bone” accidents in which one vehicle hits another directly in the side are particularly dangerous, as there is a very high chance of severe or fatal injuries for the occupants of the struck vehicle on the side that was hit.
• Sideswipe accidents happen when one vehicle collides with another vehicle along the side. In 2024, these incidents accounted for about 23.6% of all crashes nationwide. These accidents often involve parked vehicles. For example, a driver may sideswipe a parked vehicle after turning incorrectly or due to speeding.
• Head-on collisions accounted for 3.7% of all vehicle accidents nationwide in 2024, but accounted for 26.6% of all fatal crashes that year. Whenever one vehicle hits another directly, the occupants of both vehicles face a very high chance of suffering catastrophic injuries.

These are just a few of the most common types of car accidents throughout the US. After most accidents, the drivers involved will stop and report the accident to 911. Every state has reporting requirements for accidents, and most require drivers to report any crash that causes significant property damage, injury, or death. If a driver fails to report an accident, or if they cause an accident and flee the scene, this could qualify as a hit-and-run violation.

Between 2018 and 2022, an estimated four million Americans were involved in hit-and-run accidents, 12,000 of which resulted in fatal injuries. If you are hurt in a hit-and-run accident, it’s crucial to call 911 right away and report as much as you can about the at-fault driver and their vehicle. Ideally, the police will find them and charge them with hit-and-run, and you can hire a car accident lawyer to help you recover compensation for your damages.

Ultimately, if another driver is to blame for your recent accident, you will need an attorney’s help to hold them accountable. Your legal options for recovering your losses will depend on the nature and severity of the injuries you suffered and your state’s car accident laws, but no matter what your case entails, you have a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome when you hire a car accident lawyer.

FAQs

What Evidence Is Required in a Car Accident Claim?

The evidence required in a car accident claim includes physical and digital evidence that your attorney can obtain on your behalf. You may need photos of the crash scene, police reports, eyewitness statements, vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and traffic camera footage, if any is available from the area where the accident happened. Hire a car accident lawyer right away so they can secure this evidence while it is still obtainable.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Car Accident Claim?

The damages you could recover from a car accident claim could include your vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Every state has different auto insurance requirements, and filing an auto insurance claim is usually your first recovery option. You may need to build a personal injury case against the at-fault driver, in which case you have a better chance of success with an attorney representing you.

Can I Still Claim Damages if I Shared Fault for a Car Accident?

Whether you can still claim damages if you shared fault for a car accident largely depends on whether your state follows a comparative negligence law or a contributory negligence law. Most US states follow comparative negligence laws that allow partial recovery for a plaintiff found partially at fault, but in a contributory negligence state, any amount of plaintiff fault would bar them from claiming compensation from any other liable party.

Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident?

Yes, it’s a good idea to hire a car accident lawyer after an accident. A skilled attorney can gather the evidence you need to prove liability for the accident, accurately determine the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim, and ultimately help you resolve your case much faster than you could likely manage if you tried handling your case alone. It is always worth having legal counsel you can trust in the aftermath of a car accident.

The team at Bliven Law Firm, P.C. has years of proven experience handling a wide range of accident cases in Montana, and we have successfully helped many clients recover from all types of car accidents. You’re likely to have many difficult legal questions in the aftermath of your recent accident, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney you can trust with your case.

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