Types of Gainesville Car Accidents
Car accidents happen in many ways. Understanding the type of crash can help determine what happened, which injuries you may have, and, most importantly, who bears liability for your losses.
Crashes get classified in many ways, including the nature of the collision, the people or vehicles involved, and the cause of the crash. Insurers and Gainesville personal injury lawyers use this information to analyze any claims that arise.
If you’ve sustained injuries in a collision in Gainesville, FL, contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. at (877) 255-3652 for a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney.
How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help After a Car Accident in Gainesville, FL
Allen Law Firm, P.A. is a Gainesville, Florida personal injury law practice that represents accident victims against those who injured them. Since 2007, the firm’s Gainesville car accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients.
If you get injured in an auto accident, our lawyers can help by providing:
- A free consultation to explain your legal options under Florida law
- Decades of experience dealing with insurers and opposing lawyers
- A compassionate legal team to ensure you are properly cared for and compensated
Getting compensation for car crash injuries can require knowledge, skill, and experience. Contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you after your Gainesville car accident.
How Many Crashes Happen in Gainesville, Florida?
According to statistics, Florida had 392,969 total traffic accidents in 2022, according to the Florida Crash Dashboard. These accidents killed 3,495 people and injured 249,993.
According to the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard, the Gainesville metropolitan area had over 5,000 car accidents in 2022. These crashes injured over 3,200 people and killed 24.
From these numbers, you can calculate that Gainesville had 1.3% of Florida’s traffic accidents. Gainesville also has 1.3% of Florida’s population. Thus, it had almost exactly the number of crashes you would expect based on its share of the state’s population.
The Types of Crashes You May See in Gainesville
Some common types of Gainesville car accidents include:
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash in the U.S. These crashes happen when a driver plows into the back of another vehicle.
They often occur due to:
In a rear-end collision, the occupants of the front vehicle get thrown back into their seats. Their heads whip back until they hit the headrests. When the driver slams on the brakes, the occupants jerk forward.
The same motions happen in the rear vehicle but in the opposite order. The occupants whip forward, then jerk backward as the vehicles come to a stop.
These whipping motions can injure the neck and back. They can also cause a concussion.
In most situations, the rear driver bears liability for the crash. It is their responsibility to maintain a safe following distance. In some situations, such as when the front driver cuts off the rear driver, the front driver bears liability for the crash.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distractions can take many forms, including:
Even yelling at the dog or rubbernecking at another crash can distract you from driving. According to the CDC, anything that occupies your hands, eyes, or mind can distract you. The liability for these accidents falls on the distracted driver.
Intersection Collisions
Intersection crashes happen when one driver fails to yield the right of way.
Some examples of failures to yield include:
- Proceeding through a stop sign out of turn
- Running a stop light, stop sign, or yield sign
- Turning before traffic in the intersection clears
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents can also happen at intersections. When a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian or cyclist in a crosswalk or bicycle lane, a collision can occur.
These crashes can cause serious injuries. Pedestrians and cyclists can suffer catastrophic head, neck, and back injuries when they get hit by a car. Even vehicle collisions can cause serious injuries. When one vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle, the door can collapse and crush the vehicle’s occupants.
The driver who failed to yield will bear liability for an intersection crash.
Drunk Driving Crashes
Impaired driving does not cause a lot of crashes. But every one of them could be prevented. With the availability of taxis and rideshares, no driver needs to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In 2022, intoxicated drivers caused three deaths and 15 incapacitating injuries, according to the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Gainesville Car Accident Attorneys
Regardless of the type of crash, you can suffer long-term injuries that leave you permanently disabled. Contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. at (877) 255-3652 for a free consultation to discuss your crash and the compensation you can seek for your injuries.
