Car accident claims are the leading source of personal injury cases in the United States. Approximately half of all motor vehicle collisions result in injury claims and a considerable number of these accidents become lawsuits. In 2013, there were 5,687,000 police-reported auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 2.31 million people were injured in automobile accidents in the same year. Approximately 10 million or more accidents go unreported each year. 
The vast majority of car accidents result in some type of injury to the victims, of which the most common include head and neck injuries. The costs associated with a car accident can be expensive. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another motorist, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.
Common Types of Automobile Collisions
Car accidents happen in a variety of ways under many different circumstances. Some common types of automobile collisions include:
- Rear-end Collisions. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 2.5 million car accidents are considered to be rear-end accidents. Common causes of rear-end accidents include tailgating, driver inattention, driver intoxication, weather conditions and road defects.
- Head-on Collisions. Head-on car accidents are considered to be one of the most serious types of collisions. Although they represent a small portion of auto accidents, they account for the majority of car accident fatalities. Even at slow speed, a head-on collision can result in catastrophic injuries.
- Side-impact Collisions. Side-impact accidents are also referred to as roadside or T-bone collisions. In a side-impact accident, one vehicle hits the other in a perpendicular direction. Common causes include failing to come to a complete stop at a four-way intersection, failing to yield, running a red light, turning across traffic lanes and not gauging oncoming traffic when making a right turn at an intersection.
- Pedestrian Hit By Cars. According to the NHTSA, cars injure approximately 70,000 pedestrians each year. Most states allow pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks, on public and private sidewalks and on public roads and highways.
- Hit and Run Accidents. A hit and run accident is when a motorist collides into another vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist and leaves without stopping to identify himself. In all 50 states, failing to stop after causing an accident is a crime. Depending on the specific circumstances, the crime is either a felony or misdemeanor. Both types of criminal charges are punishable by incarceration in county jail or state prison and a substantial monetary fine.
Regardless of what type of automobile accident you were injured in, you should immediately consult with an experienced NY car accident attorney to protect your legal rights and ensure that you obtain the full compensation that you deserve.
Call Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident caused by another motorist, we can help. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York automobile accident attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.
