Types of Car Accidents in Greensboro

Car accidents can happen almost anywhere and anytime, often resulting in devastating injuries that require ongoing medical care and time away from work – not to mention extensive pain, suffering, disability, and disfigurement.

However, depending on the type and circumstances of the car accident that injured you, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and many other losses. The attorneys at Ward Black Law want to help you demand this compensation from the person who caused the accident.

For over four decades, we have advocated for the rights of accident victims in Greensboro and throughout North Carolina. In that time, we have helped hundreds of clients pursue the compensation they deserve as compassionately, fiercely, and expeditiously as possible.

Contact us today to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer from our firm and find out how we can help you during this difficult time.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Greensboro

Some of the most common types of car accidents in Greensboro include:

• Rear-end crashes – A rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle runs into the back of the vehicle in front of it. The driver of the car that rear-ended the other is often at fault for the crash because drivers must maintain a safe following distance and drive at a reasonable speed to allow time and space to avoid a collision when traffic ahead slows or stops.
• Head-on collisions – A head-on collision occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the front of another. Head-on crashes typically happen when a car crosses the center line or veers into the path of oncoming traffic, often with devastating results. These crashes are often due to fatigue, distraction, or intoxication. They can also happen if a car travels the wrong way down a one-way street.
• Sideswipe collisions – Sideswipe collisions typically occur on highways when one driver attempts to change lanes without signaling or checking their mirrors and blind spots, causing them to hit the side of an adjacent vehicle. Depending on the point of contact, one or both drivers may lose control of their vehicles.
• T-bone or side-impact collisions – A side-impact collision, also known as a T-bone accident, occurs when a vehicle crashes into the side of another so that the two cars form a “T” shape. Side-impact crashes typically happen when a driver runs a red light, fails to stop at a stop sign, or fails to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle.
• Rollover accidents – A rollover accident involves a vehicle flipping over onto its side or roof or tumbling over multiple times. These accidents can happen when a vehicle is struck with force by another motor vehicle, when a defect causes the vehicle to suddenly overturn or the driver to lose control, or through simple driver error.
• Parking accidents – Parking accidents can happen when a driver hits another vehicle, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian when attempting to parallel park or pulling out of a parking space in a lot or garage.
• Turning accidents – Turning accidents are collisions between two turning vehicles, such as when one driver attempting a U-turn collides with a vehicle making a right turn. These accidents typically happen because one driver disregards a traffic signal or fails to yield the right-of-way.
• Road-departure accident – A road-departure accident is when a vehicle veers off the road or highway. That may occur when a driver is distracted or intoxicated or falls asleep behind the wheel. It may also result from a driver losing control of their vehicle due to unintended acceleration, brake failure, tire failure, or potholes or debris on the road.
• Bicycle accidents – Bicycle accidents may occur when drivers speed, disregard traffic signals, open the door of a parked vehicle into the path of an oncoming bicyclist, or simply fail to leave a safe distance between their car and a cyclist.
• Pedestrian accidents – A driver might hit a pedestrian crossing an intersection or marked crosswalk if they disregard traffic signs or signals or are distracted. They risk hitting a pedestrian crossing a driveway or parking lot when backing up.

Common Factors that Contribute to Car Accidents

Some of the most frequent causes of car crashes include:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Reckless driving, including excessive speeding, swerving around stopped traffic or darting between lanes
• Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Distracted driving, including texting while driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Driver inexperience
• Aggressive Driving
• Vehicle defects
• Poor visibility
• Bad weather
• Poor road conditions

Liability for Car Accidents in Greensboro

In North Carolina, a driver who causes a car accident is liable for compensating the victims for the losses they suffered, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Your attorney may look at various types of evidence to determine who is liable in a car accident, such as:

In North Carolina, a driver injured in a car accident is barred from seeking compensation from the other driver if they in any way contributed to the crash. Under this pure contributory negligence rule, you cannot pursue compensation even if you bear only 1 percent of the blame for an accident.

The other driver’s insurer may accuse you of being partially at fault for the crash during settlement negotiations to justify a lowball offer or to deny you compensation altogether. That is why it is crucial to hire an experienced car accident attorney in North Carolina to investigate the accident, determine who is liable, and build a strong case in your favor.