Types of Car Accidents in Atlanta

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving you with questions about what went wrong and how to move forward.

It doesn't matter if you're navigating the crowded streets of Atlanta or cruising through a quiet neighborhood – collisions happen everywhere.

While some car accidents are more common than others, each can affect your life differently.

The following are some of the most common types of car accidents in Atlanta. If a negligent driver hurts you or a loved one, please don't hesitate to contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer to obtain the compensation you deserve.

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Rear-End Collisions

When people hear "rear-end collision," they often think of minor fender benders. But these accidents can be more serious than you might expect.

Even low-speed impacts can lead to painful injuries like whiplash, back pain, and long-term discomfort. In some cases, rear-end accidents occur at high speeds, resulting in more severe injuries such as spinal damage or traumatic brain injuries.

Rear-end collisions happen when the vehicle behind doesn't stop in time and hits the car in front. The driver that hits the vehicle ahead is usually found at fault, but things aren't always that simple.

Maybe you had to slam on your brakes because of something happening in front of you. Or perhaps bad weather made it harder to stop.

After a rear-end collision, pay attention to your symptoms in the days and weeks following the crash. Many injuries, like whiplash, don't show up immediately but can affect you for years. Get checked out by a doctor and follow all their recommendations, as this will help your recovery and support your case later on.

Side-Impact (T-Bone) Accidents

Side-impact accidents, often called T-bone collisions, occur when the front of one car hits the other's side. The sides of cars don't have as much protection as the front or rear, making injuries in T-bone accidents more severe.

T-bone accidents typically happen at intersections where one driver runs a red light, fails to yield, or doesn't stop at a stop sign. While you may do everything right – obeying traffic signals, yielding when required – another driver's mistake can leave you with serious consequences.

Injuries from side-impact accidents can range from broken bones to internal injuries. The force of the impact can also cause head injuries, particularly if your head strikes the side window or door.

Recovery can take months or even years, and dealing with the insurance company can be a frustrating experience. An Atlanta car accident lawyer can recover compensation for your damages from the driver responsible for your injuries.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most devastating wrecks. These accidents occur when two vehicles

moving in opposite directions, often at high speeds, hit each other. The impact of a head-on collision can be devastating, causing severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and even death.

Most head-on collisions happen due to distracted driving, drunk driving, or when a driver crosses the center line. If you're lucky enough to survive a head-on collision, you may face a long and difficult road to recovery. Your injuries may require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation, which can place a significant financial burden on you and your family.

While you focus on recovering, a lawyer can handle the legal side, ensuring you get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost income, and more. A head-on collision can overwhelm you, but you don't have to go through it alone.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

These accidents typically happen on highways or busy streets where cars travel at high speeds. All it takes is one sudden stop, a distracted driver, or a slick road to start a chain reaction.

One of the most challenging parts of a multi-vehicle pileup is determining who's at fault. Multiple drivers might share responsibility for the accident, requiring a lawyer to determine fault for damages. Pileups can also lead to more serious injuries due to the number of vehicles involved and that they can hit your car multiple times.

Injuries from multi-vehicle accidents can vary depending on where you were in the chain of collisions. If you were hit from behind, you might develop whiplash or back injuries. If a car hits you from the side, it might break your bones or cause head trauma.

These injuries can take time to recover from, and you'll likely need help dealing with insurance companies and medical bills.

That's where an Atlanta car accident lawyer comes in, helping you figure out your options and making sure the responsible parties are held accountable.

Rollover Accidents

As the name implies, a rollover wreck happens when a car rolls or flips onto its side or roof. Common causes include sharp turns, collisions with other vehicles, or hitting obstacles like curbs or guardrails. SUVs and taller vehicles may roll over due to their higher centers of gravity, but any vehicle can flip under the right circumstances.

Rollovers can be terrifying and cause severe injuries to those inside the vehicle. Common injuries include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma. Rollovers can throw passengers who don't wear seatbelts from the vehicle, leading to more severe injuries or death.

Speeding, distracted driving, or even defective vehicle parts like tires or brakes can cause rollovers. After a rollover accident, you may need to deal with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial stress.

An experienced car accident attorney can recover damages from the driver or manufacturer responsible for the accident, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents happen when two vehicles moving side-by-side make contact with each other. They can occur when one driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot or when two drivers merge into the same lane simultaneously. 

While sideswipe accidents may seem minor, they can lead to serious injuries, especially if one or both vehicles lose control after the impact.

In a sideswipe accident, the initial collision may not cause much damage, but what happens next can be dangerous. The force of the sideswipe can push a car off the road, into another vehicle, or even into oncoming traffic.

Depending on the severity of the crash, injuries can range from minor bruises to more serious injuries like concussions or broken bones.

After a sideswipe accident, seek medical attention and follow your doctor's instructions closely. Even if you feel fine, some injuries can take time to appear. Working with an Atlanta car accident lawyer can hold the responsible driver accountable and get the compensation you deserve.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents happen when one driver leaves the scene without stopping to check for injuries or exchange information. These incredibly frustrating accidents can leave you dealing with the aftermath of the crash on your own. Hit-and-runs can involve any type of collision – rear-end, sideswipe, T-bone, or even a pedestrian accident.

One of the biggest challenges in a hit-and-run accident is identifying the driver who fled. Without their insurance information, you may have to rely on your own insurance policy to cover the costs of the accident. If witnesses or surveillance footage captured the accident, your lawyer or law enforcement can track down the responsible driver, but this can take time.

Injuries from hit-and-run accidents can range from minor to severe, depending on the type of collision and the speed at which the accident occurred. After a hit-and-run, work with a lawyer to explore all your options for recovering compensation, whether through insurance or tracking down the driver who fled.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents occur when a vehicle strikes someone walking or running. These accidents are often the most dangerous because pedestrians don't have any protection against the impact of a car. Pedestrian accidents can cause broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and even death.

Pedestrian accidents typically happen at crosswalks, intersections, or parking lots, where drivers might not pay full attention to their surroundings. A distracted or speeding driver may fail to yield to a pedestrian, with catastrophic consequences.

If you've been hit as a pedestrian, your injuries may require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. An Atlanta car accident lawyer can recover compensation from the driver responsible for the accident, allowing you to focus on your recovery and rebuild your life.

Low-Speed Collisions

Low-speed collisions, often occurring in parking lots or residential areas, are frequently underestimated in their impact. People assume that the damage is minimal because they happen at low speeds. However, even a slow-moving crash can lead to significant injuries, especially if you're caught off-guard by the impact.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in low-speed collisions, but other problems can arise, such as soft tissue injuries or joint damage. Low-speed accidents can also cause hidden damage to your car, affecting its frame or mechanical systems in ways that aren't immediately obvious.

Working with an Atlanta car accident lawyer will get the compensation you need for any injuries or car repairs, even if your accident was at a low speed. Don't let the low-speed label trick you into thinking it's not worth pursuing a claim.

Vehicle-Object Collisions

Not all car accidents involve another vehicle. Sometimes, you may collide with a stationary object like a tree, light pole, or guardrail. These types of accidents can happen when a driver loses control of their vehicle due to wet roads, speeding, or swerving to avoid something in the road.

While it might seem like these accidents would cause less harm than collisions with other vehicles, that's not always true. The impact of a solid, immovable object can cause just as much, if not more, damage than a typical car crash. Injuries can be severe, and the damage to your vehicle can be extensive.

Suppose you've been involved in a vehicle-object collision. In that case, a lawyer can determine whether road conditions, faulty vehicle parts, or other factors played a role in the accident, potentially opening up additional avenues for compensation.

Why You Must Hire an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

After a car accident, time is critical. Hiring an Atlanta car accident lawyer immediately gives you the best

chance to secure compensation for your injuries and damages.

Insurance companies often act quickly to minimize their payouts and may try to take advantage of you before you fully understand your rights. A lawyer can help you avoid common pitfalls, such as settling too early or accepting an offer that doesn't cover all your expenses.

In addition, evidence from the accident scene can quickly disappear, and witnesses may forget important details over time. By acting fast, your attorney can gather important evidence, speak with witnesses, and work to preserve your claim. 

Delaying the process can hurt your chances of receiving the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Hiring a skilled car accident attorney as soon as possible will give you someone in your corner.

Please Follow Your Doctor's Instructions

After a car accident, it's natural to want to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. But your recovery depends on following your doctor's instructions to the letter.

Skipping appointments, ignoring recommended treatments, or trying to tough it out can not only jeopardize your health but also your ability to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.

Insurance companies and opposing attorneys will closely scrutinize your medical records to see if you followed your doctor's orders. If you miss appointments or fail to take prescribed medications, they may argue that your injuries aren't as severe as you claim, potentially reducing the compensation you're entitled to receive.

By following your doctor's instructions, you're ensuring the best possible recovery for your body and strengthening your case. Keep a record of all your appointments, treatments, and any changes in your condition. Documenting your recovery process will make it harder for the insurance company to dispute your claim, helping you secure the compensation you deserve.

Moving Forward After an Accident, Call an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents come in many forms, and no two collisions are alike. Whether you've been rear-ended, sideswiped, or involved in a hit-and-run, the road to recovery can be long and difficult.

Following your doctor's instructions and working with an Atlanta car accident lawyer can recover the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward with your life.