Types of Car Accidents in North Carolina
Types of Car Accidents in North Carolina
Every day, car accidents of all kinds cause serious injury and death in North Carolina drivers and passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians. If you have been seriously injured in a car crash caused by another driver in North Carolina, you may have unpaid medical bills and be unable to work.
Let our experienced personal injury lawyers review the details of the accident and discuss your options for pursuing compensation. You may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Speak with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer at Hardison & Cochran who will review the specifics of your injury and explain your legal rights.
Hardison & Cochran has been serving clients for more than 30 years. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling car accident injury cases in North Carolina. Our law firm represents car accident victims on a contingency fee basis. You will not be expected to pay any legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Below is a list of some of the common types of auto accident cases we handle.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions typically occur when a car crosses a centerline or median and crashes into an oncoming car. Most head-on collisions in North Carolina occur on rural, two-lane roads. Head-on crashes typically result from a driver error, such as falling asleep, driving drunk, driver distraction, trying to pass another vehicle, or traveling too fast in a curve.
Wrong-way crashes, such as driving the wrong direction on an interstate, account for a small percentage of head-on collisions. But they often result in serious or fatal injuries. Alcohol is a primary factor in wrong-way crashes.
When a motorist is involved in a head-on collision, the result is likely to be a traumatic injury or death for the driver or passengers.
Intersection Accidents
Vehicles converging at intersections and making turns present many chances for errors of judgment and collisions. Many intersection collisions are caused by drivers running red lights or disregarding traffic signals.
In a left-turn collision at an intersection, for example, the cause of the accident is often a driver’s misjudgment of another vehicle’s speed or the distance between vehicles. A motorist may fail to see an approaching vehicle and turn in front, leading to a collision. Many intersection crashes are caused by careless or distracted drivers making bad decisions.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. Many occur in work zones because a driver is following too closely and does not allow enough distance to stop. Rear-end crashes cause a substantial number of injuries and fatalities each year in North Carolina. They are the main type of work zone accident. Some rear-end accidents occur because the driver in the car following the lead vehicle is distracted.
A study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill determined that drivers talking on cell phones are nearly twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in rear-end collisions. According to the study, these drivers often cause accidents because they:
- Fail to reduce speed
- Follow too closely
- Fail to yield to other vehicles
- Violate traffic signals and stop signs.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side impact accidents are dangerous because the sides of vehicles have relatively little space to absorb the energy of a crash and protect occupants from injuries. Drivers and passengers involved in a side-impact collision are likely to suffer injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, arms, and legs.
Side impact collisions are most likely to occur at intersections where cars approach at perpendicular angles.
Side impact accidents are also referred to as right-angle or “T-bone” crashes. Accidents at intersections are typically side-impact accidents.
Rollover Accidents
Most rollover accidents occur when a vehicle starts to slide sideways and hits a curb, guardrail, or uneven ground, which causes it to roll over on its side. Rollovers are more likely to occur in vehicles that are taller and have higher ground clearance. The vehicle design of certain SUVs, passenger vans, and pickup trucks causes the vehicle to have a higher center of gravity.
When the design of a vehicle creates an unreasonable rollover risk or causes a serious injury in a rollover accident, the vehicle manufacturer should be held liable. Auto manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure that the products they sell are safe when used properly. When they fail to meet this obligation, they may be legally liable for the harm that the product causes.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Multi-vehicle accidents include collisions involving two cars and pile-ups involving three or more vehicles. A multi-vehicle accident requires a thorough investigation by experienced attorneys to identify all the potentially liable drivers and the insurance policies available to provide compensation for injuries.
Rear-end collisions in which drivers slam into the car ahead are a common type of multi-vehicle accident. Many multi-vehicle accidents can be attributed to adverse weather and low visibility, particularly fog. Motorists who exceed safe speed for existing conditions may be unable to stop in time to avoid a crash.
If you have been involved in a wreck involving several vehicles, you may be eligible for compensation that will pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses.
Hit and Run Accidents
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver involved in a crash flees the scene without stopping to provide identification or render aid. Under North Carolina law, all drivers involved in a collision must stop, exchange information, and assist anyone who is injured. Drivers who leave the scene face criminal penalties on top of civil liability.
When the at-fault driver cannot be located, injured victims may still pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist coverage. An experienced attorney can investigate the crash, work with law enforcement to identify the fleeing driver, and explore every avenue for recovery.
Bus Accidents
Bus accidents often result in severe injuries because of the size of the vehicle and the number of passengers involved. Crashes may involve city transit buses, charter buses, school buses, or shuttle vehicles. Liability in a bus accident case can be complex and may extend beyond the bus driver to the company that owns or operates the bus, a maintenance contractor, or a vehicle manufacturer.
Passengers injured in a bus crash, as well as occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, may have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Drug-Impaired Driving Accidents
Drug-impaired driving is a growing cause of serious crashes in North Carolina. Drivers may be impaired by illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs that affect alertness, reaction time, or coordination. Like alcohol, drug impairment slows decision-making and increases the risk of a crash.
Proving drug impairment in a civil case can require chemical testing, expert testimony, and a careful review of the police investigation. If a drug-impaired driver caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Contact Our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a car accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or disregard for safety, then you may have the right to seek compensation for your property damage, physical and emotional injuries and other losses. To learn more, contact the North Carolina car accident lawyers at Hardison & Cochran toll-free at (800) 433-8399 or fill out our online contact form. We provide free consultations and do not charge for our legal services until you secure a recovery.
