Top 20 Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Rhode Island

Every car accident is unique–what caused it, how it occurred, where it happened, and how the vehicle collided with another vehicle or object. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 40,990 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2023. This represents a decline of about 3.6% from the 42,514 fatalities recorded in 2022. 

Several factors contribute to car accidents, including distracted driving, drunk driving, and texting and driving.

Marasco & Nesselbush has extensive experience helping auto accident victims and the families of those killed in car accidents recover the compensation they deserve following serious car crashes. In sharing the information below, Marasco & Nesselbush hopes to reduce your risk of being in a car accident by making you more aware of the leading causes of car accidents.

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents vary widely in their nature and consequences. Each type of accident carries unique characteristics and implications, from the causes and types of injuries sustained to the potential damages and legal ramifications. Understanding these differences is crucial for both preventing accidents and effectively addressing their aftermath. Below, we explore various common types of car accidents, detailing their definitions, common causes, and the typical injuries and damages associated with each.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. These accidents are often caused by distracted driving, tailgating, or sudden stops.

• Common Causes: Distracted driving (e.g., texting or phone use), following too closely, and sudden deceleration by the front vehicle.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Whiplash, neck and back injuries, damage to the rear of the leading vehicle and the front of the following vehicle.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with each other. These accidents are often severe due to the combined speed of the vehicles involved.

• Common Causes: Wrong-way driving, drifting into oncoming traffic, and impaired or drowsy driving.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and significant front-end damage to both vehicles.

Side-Impact Collisions

Also known as T-bone collisions, side-impact accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These crashes often happen at intersections.

• Common Causes: Running red lights or stop signs, failing to yield at intersections, and distracted driving.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Injuries to the driver or passenger on the impacted side, including fractures, internal injuries, and significant side-panel damage to the struck vehicle.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other make contact, often when changing lanes.

• Common Causes: Improper lane changes, failing to check blind spots, and drifting out of lanes.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Minor injuries such as cuts or bruises, and damage to the sides of both vehicles involved.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle accidents involve only one vehicle, which may crash into a stationary object, such as a tree, pole, or guardrail, or veer off the road.

• Common Causes: Speeding, loss of control, weather conditions, and avoidance of animals or debris on the road.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Varied injuries, depending on the severity of the crash, with damage to the vehicle’s front or side.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle accidents, or pile-ups, involve three or more vehicles and often occur on highways or busy roads.

• Common Causes: Chain reactions from rear-end collisions, poor visibility, and sudden stops in heavy traffic.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Multiple injuries ranging from minor to severe, extensive damage to several vehicles, and complicated insurance claims.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents involve a vehicle flipping onto its side or roof, which can happen in single or multi-vehicle crashes.

• Common Causes: High-speed cornering, collision with another vehicle or object, and top-heavy vehicles like SUVs and trucks.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Serious injuries, including head trauma and fractures, and significant damage or total loss of the vehicle.

Blind Spot Accidents

Blind spot accidents occur when a driver changes lanes without noticing another vehicle in their blind spot.

• Common Causes: Failing to check blind spots, improper mirror adjustments, and distraction.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Side-swiping damage and potential injury to occupants on the struck side of the vehicle.

Low-Speed Accidents

Low-speed accidents, or fender-benders, occur at speeds generally under 10 mph, often in parking lots or during stop-and-go traffic.

• Common Causes: Distracted driving, tight maneuvering in parking spaces, and bumper-to-bumper traffic.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Minor injuries like whiplash and light damage to the bumpers and fenders of the vehicles involved.

Merging Accidents

Merging accidents happen when a vehicle attempts to enter a highway or change lanes and collides with another vehicle.

• Common Causes: Failure to yield, speeding, and not checking for oncoming traffic.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Side or rear-end damage, and potential injuries such as sprains or strains.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents are a type of side-impact collision where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another at a perpendicular angle.

• Common Causes: Ignoring traffic signals, running red lights, and failing to yield the right-of-way.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Serious injuries to occupants on the side of the impacted vehicle and substantial damage to the vehicle’s side.

Left-Turn Accidents

Left-turn accidents occur when a vehicle making a left turn collides with an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle approaching from the side.

• Common Causes: Misjudging the gap in oncoming traffic, turning without signaling, and failing to yield to oncoming vehicles.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Injuries such as fractures and head injuries, and damage primarily to the front or side of the vehicles.

Uber and Lyft Accidents

Accidents involving rideshare vehicles such as Uber and Lyft can include any of the common accident types but have unique considerations due to the commercial nature of the ride.

• Common Causes: Driver distraction, pressure to navigate and pick up passengers quickly, and the high mileage driven.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Varied injuries to passengers and drivers and complex insurance claims involving multiple parties.

Uninsured Motorist Accidents

Uninsured motorist accidents involve at least one driver who does not have car insurance.

• Common Causes: The same causes as other types of accidents, but complicated by the lack of insurance.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Any injuries and damages seen in other accident types, with additional financial and legal challenges for the insured party.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver who is involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing contact information or rendering aid.

• Common Causes: Drivers trying to avoid responsibility or legal consequences, including those who are uninsured or driving under the influence.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: A wide range of injuries and damages depending on the accident, with the added difficulty of identifying and holding the at-fault driver accountable.

Accidents Involving Public Transport

These accidents involve buses, trains, or other forms of public transportation colliding with other vehicles or pedestrians.

• Common Causes: Driver error, mechanical failure, and traffic violations.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Injuries to passengers, drivers, and pedestrians, with significant potential damages to both public transport and private vehicles.

Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Commercial vehicle accidents involve trucks, delivery vans, or other vehicles used for business purposes.

• Common Causes: Driver fatigue, improper loading, and mechanical issues.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles and substantial damage to both the commercial and private vehicles involved.

DUI Accidents

DUI (Driving Under the Influence) accidents occur when a driver operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

• Common Causes: Drunk driving, drugged driving, and prescription medication impairment.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Often severe injuries and fatalities, with significant damage to all vehicles involved.

Distracted Driving

Accidents caused by distracted driving occur when a driver is not paying full attention to the road due to activities like texting, eating, or using in-car technologies.

• Common Causes: Texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, and other distractions.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Varies widely from minor to severe depending on the nature of the accident caused by the distraction.

Parked Car Accidents

Parked car accidents involve a moving vehicle striking a stationary, parked vehicle.

• Common Causes: Driver error when parking or maneuvering out of a parking space and vehicles rolling away without proper braking.
• Typical Injuries and Damages: Typically limited to minor injuries and damages to the parked vehicle’s exterior.

What to Do After a Car Accident to Protect Your Rights

Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and disorienting experience. It’s crucial to know the steps to take immediately afterward to ensure your safety, fulfill legal obligations, and protect your rights. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the aftermath of a car accident effectively.

Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation: Take a deep breath and try to stay as calm as possible. Quickly assess whether you or anyone else is injured.
2. Move to Safety: If the accident is minor and it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
3. Check for Injuries: Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, do not move them unless there is an immediate danger (such as fire). Instead, call for emergency medical help right away.

Call Emergency Services

1. Dial 911: Contact emergency services to report the accident. Provide the dispatcher with the location, a brief description of the accident, and the number of people involved.
2. Request Medical Assistance: Even if injuries seem minor, it’s wise to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
3. Notify the Police: Having a police report can be crucial for insurance claims and legal processes. The police will document the scene and take statements from all parties involved.

Document the Scene

1. Take Photographs: Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of the accident scene from various angles. Include photos of all vehicles involved, any visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and any damage to property.
2. Note Details: Write down details about the accident, such as the time, location, weather conditions, and road conditions. These details can be important later for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

Exchange Information

1. Gather Information from Other Drivers: Obtain the following information from all other drivers involved:
   • Name and contact details
   • Driver’s license number
   • License plate number
   • Insurance company and policy number
2. Witness Information: If there are any witnesses to the accident, ask for their names and contact details. Witness statements can be valuable in corroborating your account of the accident.

Avoid Admitting Fault

1. Keep Statements Simple: When speaking with the other drivers or the police, stick to the facts. Avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault, such as apologizing or speculating about what happened.
2. Limit Conversations: Limit your conversations about the accident to the police, your insurance company, and your lawyer. Do not discuss the accident with the other drivers involved more than necessary.

Seek Medical Attention

1. Get a Medical Checkup: Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get checked by a healthcare professional. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, may not show symptoms immediately.
2. Follow-up: Follow any advice or treatment plans given by your healthcare provider. Keep records of all medical visits and treatments related to the accident.

Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

1. Notify Your Insurer Promptly: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident. Provide them with all the necessary details and cooperate with their investigation.
2. Provide Documentation: Submit any documents or evidence you gathered at the scene, including photos, notes, and contact information for other drivers and witnesses.

Consider Legal Assistance

1. Consult a Lawyer: If there are injuries, significant damages, or disputes about fault, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney. They can provide valuable advice and representation to protect your rights.
2. Understand Your Rights: A lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations and navigate any legal complexities that may arise from the accident.

Keep Records

1. Maintain a File: Keep all documents related to the accident, including police reports, medical records, insurance correspondence, and repair bills.
2. Track Expenses: Document all expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. This can be crucial for insurance claims or potential legal action.

Monitor Your Health and Vehicle Repairs

1. Follow Up on Medical Care: Continue to monitor your health and follow through with any additional medical appointments or treatments.
2. Oversee Vehicle Repairs: Ensure your vehicle is properly repaired and keep all receipts and records related to the repairs.

By following these steps, you can protect your safety, ensure legal compliance, and safeguard your rights after a car accident. Being prepared and knowing what to do can make a significant difference in the aftermath of an accident.

Why You Should Trust Our Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyers For Help

No matter what type of car accident you or a loved one is involved in, it can turn your world upside down. You shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath of your car accident in Rhode Island on your own. Fortunately, you don’t have to. The Rhode Island car accident lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush are here to provide the guidance, support, and experience you deserve during this trying time.

For more than two decades, Marasco & Nesselbush has been a leading advocate for crash victims and grieving families in Rhode Island. Our law firm has won over $2 million in settlements and verdicts–so far.

We represent clients across the state, with car accident attorneys conveniently located in:

• Providence
• East Providence
• Wakefield
• Warwick
• Woonsocket

Don’t hesitate to contact our Rhode Island law firm to discover why our attorneys are the ones you’ll want standing beside you as you go up against tough insurance companies and negligent parties.

We offer a free consultation, and our team is always available to take your call. Contact us to get started today.

Call the Car Accident Attorneys at Marasco & Nesselbush for a Free Consultation!

I’ve you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait. Marasco & Nesselbush injury attorneys take pride in navigating the entire legal process with you. While you may be focused on physical injuries and regaining your health, we will work to get you the compensation you deserve.

We handle every aspect of your case, from collecting evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary. This allows you to focus on your recovery while we work tirelessly on your behalf.

Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. Our skilled lawyers are adept at negotiating settlements and will fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. This approach ensures that everyone has access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Don’t navigate the aftermath of a car accident alone. Contact the dedicated car accident attorneys at Marasco & Nesselbush for expert legal assistance. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, providing the guidance and representation you need to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

To get started, call us for a free consultation or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Let us help you turn a challenging situation into a path towards recovery and resolution.