When two motor vehicles collide, many factors influence the severity of that incident. The speed of the vehicles, the type of vehicles and even weather conditions can affect the outcome of a car crash. The manner in which the vehicles collide is also an important consideration.
In a head-on collision, vehicle occupants are at risk of being thrown out of the vehicle due to the abrupt change in velocity. In a rear-end crash scenario, the abrupt front-and-back motions can result in whiplash and other serious soft tissue injuries.
Angle collisions or T-bone collisions have the potential to be deadly or debilitating. According to the National Safety Council, angle collisions are the deadliest type of crash. What factors make angle collisions so severe?
Speed and acceleration
In a rear-end crash or head-on crash scenario, at least one of the drivers usually has an opportunity to react. They can slow down or swerve in an attempt to prevent the crash or lessen its severity. Those same actions may not be feasible in an angle collision scenario.
The different angle of approach may mean that neither vehicle realizes the risk until the last moment. Additionally, angle collisions usually involve at least one vehicle turning. One or both vehicles may accelerate immediately prior to the crash, which can increase the severity of the impact.
The lack of safety features in vehicles
Motor vehicles have numerous systems in place to protect from the force of impact in the head-on or rear-end craft scenario. There are fewer mandatory safety systems that specifically help in side-impact situations.
When an angle collision occurs, there may not be any airbags to reduce the force of impact from the side. The way that the vehicle crumples in such wrecks can result in severe injury to the people inside. Vehicles tend to be structurally weak along the sides between the axles, making angle collisions potentially devastating for the people inside the vehicle.
When an angle collision occurs, it is often because one of the drivers involved failed to monitor their surroundings or yield as they should have. Drivers distracted by their phones and those running red lights are among those likely to cause angle collisions.
Holding drivers accountable for causing motor vehicle collisions can help those affected by a wreck defray their expenses. Insurance coverage and personal injury lawsuits can help limit the harm of a recent wreck when that harm has been caused by others.