Car Accidents in Bladensburg

Even with today’s cars that come equipped with some of the latest safety technology, car accidents continue to happen every day on busy highways, local two-lane roads, and even in parking lots. The more you know about the common causes of car accidents, the more you will be able to take steps to avoid them.

However, when if you are in a car accident, knowing what to do immediately following the incident can make the situation far less stressful.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

There are a wide range of factors that can cause a car accident to occur, many of which can be avoided by making safe and responsible choices every time you get behind the wheel.

The following are some of the most common causes of traffic accidents:

  • Distracted Driving
  • Drunk Driving
  • Drowsy Driving
  • Speeding
  • Poor Weather Conditions
  • Tailgating
  • Reckless Driving
  • Tire Blowouts

Most Common Types of Car Accidents

From minor fender benders to devastating head-on collisions, there are many types of car accidents that can occur on quiet roads and busy highways across the country.

The following are examples of accidents that happen most frequently:

  • Rear-End Collisions: These are the most common type of car accident, and tend to occur when one vehicle is following too closely to another. In most cases, the property damage is minimal, as are the injuries. To prevent a rear-end accident, maintain a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you at all times.
  • Low Speed Accidents: These often occur in parking lots or residential areas where motorists are driving under ten miles per hour. Injuries tend to be minimal, but even at low speeds pedestrians can be seriously injured if hit by a car.
  • T-Bone or Cross Traffic Accidents: When a driver runs a red light, drives through a stop sign, or fails to yield to oncoming traffic, it can cause this type of accident. If the negligent driver was traveling at a high speed at the time of the accident, the victim can be seriously injured.
  • Sideswipe Accidents: These occur when a merging driver fails to check blind spots, or changes lanes without checking for other vehicles.
  • Single Vehicle Crashes: These crashes involved drivers who lose control of their vehicle, either by overcorrecting a mistake, braking too hard, avoiding debris in the road, or from hitting an icy patch on the road.

Car Accident Injuries

The type and severity of a car accident injury depends on the nature of the accident and how fast the cars were going at the time of impact.

The following are examples of common injuries that can occur, ranging from relatively minor to severe:

  • Head and Back Injuries: Head injuries can range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). More severe head injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. If a back injury causes damage to the spinal cord, it can result in nerve damage, chronic pain, muscle weakness, or paralysis.
  • Neck and Chest Injuries: Whiplash is the most common neck injury, which often occurs when a driver is rear ended. Chest injuries occur when there is blunt force trauma to the chest area, which can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs, organ damage and abdominal injuries.
  • Arm and Leg Injuries: These injuries, which often involve broken bones, ligament damage, and lacerations, can also include the hands and feet. In extreme cases, the injury may involve a severed limb.

Steps to Take Following an Accident

  • Move out of harm’s way. If you are not seriously injured, move your car to a safe area. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn the hazards on to alert other drivers.
  • Check other motorists involved. Check to see if any of the other parties involved have been injured.
  • Call 911. Report the accident as soon as possible, so that police and emergency medical personnel can get to the scene. Make sure that you get a copy of the accident report, as it can provide valuable information for your insurance agent.
  • Collect evidence. Take pictures of the scene, including the vehicles, the location of the accident, debris on the road, and any skidmarks.
  • Share insurance information. Obtain and provide your insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
  • Notify your insurance company. Call your insurance agent as soon as possible, so that he or she can start the claims process.

Bladensburg Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Car Accidents

If you have been injured in any type of car accident, contact the Bladensburg car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will protect your legal rights and obtain the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.