According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), not only does Philadelphia rank as one of the top 10 counties for motor vehicle accidents, but they are also the city with the highest number of traffic-related fatalities. Their records show that out of the 8,741 crashes recorded in 2022, 143 of them resulted in a casualty.
Philadelphia’s busy roadways and high-traffic areas account for many different types of accidents. This blog will explore the most common types of motor vehicle accidents and provide helpful information about what you should do if you are injured as a result of one.
Most Common Motor Vehicle Crash Types in Pennsylvania, According to PennDOT
In addition to releasing the number of injuries and fatalities that occur in the city of Philadelphia, PennDOT has also identified the most common types of motor vehicle crashes. Here’s an overview of their findings:
Non-Collision
Just as the name implies, a non-collision accident is a type of accident in which there is no collision or impact from another vehicle. Rather, these accidents include being struck by a flying object (such as cargo from the back of a truck), immersion (a vehicle submerged in water), overturn (or rollover, when a vehicle flips over without making contact with another vehicle), or catches on fire or explodes.
In 2022, non-collision accidents such as these accounted for 3,605 crashes and 81 fatalities.
Head-On Accidents
Head-on accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with the front of one another’s vehicles.
These types of accidents are usually severe, and in 2022, accounted for 4,586 crashes and 153 deaths throughout the state. Generally, these accidents are the result of fatigued, drunk, or distracted driving when one driver veers into the other lane. In some cases, poor weather conditions may cause head-on collisions if one vehicle hydroplanes and spins in the opposite direction.
Due to the severe nature of these crashes, injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage are common.
Rear-End Accidents
Of all the accident types in Pennsylvania, rear-end collisions come in third regarding the most common. Per PennDOT, rear-end accidents accounted for 22,465 crashes and 89 fatalities in 2022.
Rear-end accidents happen when a vehicle collides and impacts the back of the vehicle ahead of them. While adverse weather conditions can account for some, many rear-end accidents are the result of distracted driving, inexperience in judging following distances, and reckless driving behaviors such as tailgating or speeding.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in either the same or opposing directions collide with one another. Because these accidents involve the sides of the vehicle, many drivers tend to view them less seriously than other types of collisions. However, they are incredibly dangerous, resulting not only in whiplash, broken bones, and concussions, but often resulting in collisions with other objects or vehicles on the road. In 2022, sideswipe crashes accounted for 8,400 accidents and 55 fatalities.
Crashes such as these have varying causes, ranging from improper lane changes to speeding, improper merging, and blind spots. To minimize these collisions, also make sure to check your blind spot before changing lanes.
Angle Accidents
Angle accidents occur when two vehicles traveling on opposite roadways collide with one another, usually on an entrance ramp, intersection, or driveway. Per PennDOT, these were among the top two most common types of accidents in 2022, resulting in 33,320 crashes and 254 fatalities.
Most of these crashes are caused by either one or both driver’s failure to signal, failure to yield to oncoming traffic, or the result of ignoring traffic signs, such as stopping at a stop sign or red light. Depending on the nature of the crash and whether it involved speeding or where the impact was, drivers may experience everything from soft tissue injuries to fractures and broken bones.
Hit Fixed Object Accidents
Accidents that involved hitting a fixed object, such as a guardrail, telephone pole, tree, embankment, or sign accounted for the most common types of crashes in PennDOT’s report. According to them, hit fixed object crashes accounted for 34,685 accidents and 361 fatalities.
Due to the common nature of these types of crashes, they can be the result of distracted, drunk, or fatigued driving, adverse road and weather conditions, road hazards, and speeding. These accidents result in significant injury and in many cases, catastrophic property damage.
Hit Pedestrian Accidents
Philadelphia, in particular, is known for being a walkable city. Unfortunately, that means the city has a higher rate of pedestrian accidents when compared to other counties. Per PennDot, pedestrian accidents—when a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle hits someone who is outside the vehicle, either walking, running, or crossing the street—accounted for 3,129 crashes and 171 fatalities in 2022.
Unlike vehicles, which do offer some protection in the event of a collision, pedestrian accidents are often catastrophic because they have no real protection against them and the weight of the oncoming vehicle, especially in cases of truck accidents. As such, pedestrians often suffer internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and in some cases, require amputation.
What to Do if You’re Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident
If you’re injured in any of these types of motor vehicle accidents, taking the following steps is critical for pursuing compensation in either a personal injury or wrongful death claim:
- Call Law Enforcement: In crashes that involve severe property damage, injury, or death, drivers are required to notify law enforcement. Doing so will not only ensure your safety but create an accident report that can be used in your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: These types of accidents often result in severe injury. By seeking immediate medical attention, you rule out anything serious or receive treatment so your condition doesn't worsen. Keep all records and prescription or co-pay receipts, as these will be used to calculate your damages.
- Call Your Insurance Company: Pennsylvania doesn’t have a set timeframe as to when you need to notify your insurance company, however, the good rule of thumb is to do so as soon as possible. Delays in reporting could give insurance carriers the idea that neither the accident, nor your injuries or recovery are serious.
- Document the Scene: If you’re physically able, take pictures of the accident. Include vehicle damage, bodily injury, weather conditions, vehicles involved, and anything else you think might be relevant.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: You won’t know the real cause of an accident until the investigation by the police department is complete. Any omissions of fault, even something as simple as “I’m so sorry,” can be used against you by your insurance company.
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer: Accidents such as these often result in prolonged recovery time, increasing medical bills, and lost wages. An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate the accident, calculate your damages, and fight for compensation.