Types of Car Accident Claims

Types of Car Accident Claims

A car may feel like a protective shell—until the moment you're involved in a crash. Suddenly, the illusion of safety is gone, replaced by physical pain, confusion, and mounting medical bills.

Whether another driver was speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or reckless, even a seemingly minor collision can lead to serious injuries and major property damage. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2021, a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds, one person was injured every 2 minutes and 12 seconds, and one Texan was killed in a traffic accident every 1 hour and 57 minutes.

Understanding the type of crash you were involved in is more than academic—it directly influences who is liable, how fault is determined, and how much compensation you may be entitled to. Let’s examine the most common types of car accidents across Texas and what causes them.

Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Texas

While no two crashes are identical, many accidents fall into predictable categories. Below are the types of car crashes most frequently reported in Texas and across the country—and the injuries and liability issues that often come with them.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car crashes in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. These accidents occur when one vehicle slams into the back of another, often due to:

• Speeding or failing to reduce speed for traffic
• Tailgating or following too closely
• Distracted driving, including texting, eating, or grooming
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Sudden braking or inattention in stop-and-go traffic

Rear-end crashes often cause soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, as well as concussions, fractured vertebrae, or more severe spinal injuries. The driver who rear-ends another vehicle is typically considered at fault unless evidence shows otherwise (e.g., brake-checking or sudden lane change).

Side-Impact (T-Bone) Accidents

Side-impact collisions—also called T-bone accidents—occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. These are among the most dangerous types of car accidents because doors provide limited protection compared to front or rear ends. T-bone crashes frequently happen at intersections and are typically caused by:

• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Distracted driving (e.g., turning while texting)
• Speeding through yellow or stale green lights
• Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs

These collisions often lead to catastrophic injuries, especially for occupants seated on the impacted side. Broken ribs, head trauma, internal bleeding, and spinal injuries are common. For more on intersection-related injury claims, see our page on intersection accident cases.

Speeding-Related Crashes

Excessive speed continues to be a leading factor in fatal car accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, over 134,000 accidents in 2021 were attributed to failure to control speed, unsafe speed, or exceeding posted limits.

Speeding accidents are especially dangerous because the increased momentum dramatically raises the risk of serious injuries or death. Common causes of speeding crashes include:

• Running late or aggressive driving behavior
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or stimulants
• Misjudging curves or merging distances
• Weather-related conditions like rain or fog

High-speed impacts can cause multi-car pileups or devastating rollover accidents. If you’ve been hit by a speeding driver, our Fort Worth car accident attorneys can help determine if the other driver violated traffic laws and how that affects your claim.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes are rare but often fatal. These accidents typically occur when a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic or enters the wrong lane. Common contributing factors include:

• Drowsy or fatigued driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Passing on a two-lane road without visibility
• Driving the wrong way on a one-way street or freeway ramp

Side-Impact Collisions (T-Bone Accidents)

Side-impact crashes—often referred to as “T-bone accidents”—occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another at a perpendicular angle. These are especially dangerous due to the limited structural protection in car doors and side panels. Most T-bone accidents occur at intersections and are commonly caused by:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Turning without checking for oncoming traffic
• Distracted or impaired driving
• Malfunctioning traffic signals

Injuries from side-impact crashes often include broken ribs, pelvic trauma, and traumatic brain injuries due to occupants being thrown against windows, doors, or seat belts. Liability in these cases often depends on traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and accident reconstruction.

Speeding Accidents

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react and increases both stopping distance and crash severity. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, excessive speed contributed to:

• 2,605 crashes from speeding over the limit
• 27,239 from driving too fast for conditions
• 134,125 crashes from failure to control speed

Speeding is often accompanied by other risky behaviors, such as impaired or aggressive driving. High-speed crashes frequently lead to catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord trauma, compound fractures, or fatalities. In Texas, speeding drivers are often found liable based on police reports, dash cam footage, and event data recorders (“black boxes”).

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the deadliest types of car crashes. These accidents often happen when a driver drifts into oncoming traffic—whether due to drowsiness, distraction, intoxication, or attempting an illegal pass on a two-lane road. Rural highways and undivided roads are frequent sites for these devastating wrecks.

Because both vehicles are often traveling at high speeds, the combined force of impact is extreme. Injuries include brain trauma, internal organ damage, shattered limbs, and fatal blunt force injuries. Survivors may face long-term disability or require multiple surgeries.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash, a Fort Worth car accident lawyer can help investigate the cause, secure crash data, and pursue full compensation.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Texas law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident involving injury, death, or property damage. But not all drivers follow the law. Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver flees after causing a crash—leaving injured victims behind to deal with the consequences.

If you were struck by a fleeing driver, here are the steps to take immediately after a hit-and-run crash:

• Call 911 and request both police and medical help
• Take photos of the scene, damage, and surroundings
• Gather contact info from witnesses who may have seen the fleeing vehicle
• Write down details while fresh (vehicle make, color, partial plate, direction)
• Get evaluated by a doctor even if injuries seem minor
• Notify your insurance provider
• Consult a personal injury attorney right away

Texas allows injured victims to pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in hit-and-run situations. An attorney can help preserve evidence, locate video footage, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.

What to Do After Any Type of Car Accident

No matter what kind of crash you’ve been involved in, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow will have a major impact on your health and your ability to recover compensation. Here are some essential actions:

• 📞 Call 911 to report the crash and request medical help
• 📸 Document the scene — take photos of the vehicles, roadway, debris, and injuries
• 📝 Gather names and numbers of drivers, passengers, and witnesses
• 🏥 See a doctor immediately — even for delayed pain or symptoms
• 🛑 Don’t post on social media about the crash
• ⚖️ Call a car accident lawyer to protect your rights

Injuries may not always be visible right away. Internal bleeding, brain trauma, and soft-tissue damage often take hours or days to become symptomatic. A medical record created on the same day as the crash can also be a key part of your injury claim.

Now that you understand the types of car crashes and what to do after one, let’s look at what kind of damages you may be entitled to in a Texas car accident claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?

After a crash, victims often face physical pain, financial strain, and long-term disruptions to their lives. Texas law allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses through a personal injury claim. These are commonly referred to as compensatory damages and may also include punitive damages in egregious cases.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse you for the losses you've suffered due to someone else’s negligence. They fall into two categories: economic (tangible costs) and non-economic (pain and life impact). A successful claim may include:

• Medical expenses: ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and future treatment needs
• Lost income: Time missed from work, future earnings if disabled, and loss of benefits
• Property damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement, rental car fees, and damaged personal property
• Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities you once enjoyed
• Disfigurement or disability: Permanent scars or limitations that alter your daily life

Learn more about how damages are calculated by visiting our in-depth guide: How Pain and Suffering Are Calculated in a Texas Car Accident.

Punitive Damages in Texas

While most personal injury claims involve compensatory damages, some cases also qualify for punitive damages (also known as “exemplary damages”). These are awarded not to compensate the victim, but to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Examples of situations where punitive damages may apply include:

• Drunk or drugged driving
• Street racing or reckless evasion of police
• Multiple previous offenses showing disregard for public safety

Punitive damages in Texas are capped under Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, but they can still significantly increase the value of your case when justified.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?

After a crash, victims often face physical pain, financial strain, and long-term disruptions to their lives. Texas law allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses through a personal injury claim. These are commonly referred to as compensatory damages and may also include punitive damages in egregious cases.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse you for the losses you've suffered due to someone else’s negligence. They fall into two categories: economic (tangible costs) and non-economic (pain and life impact). A successful claim may include:

• Medical expenses: ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and future treatment needs
• Lost income: Time missed from work, future earnings if disabled, and loss of benefits
• Property damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement, rental car fees, and damaged personal property
• Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities you once enjoyed
• Disfigurement or disability: Permanent scars or limitations that alter your daily life

Learn more about how damages are calculated by visiting our in-depth guide: How Pain and Suffering Are Calculated in a Texas Car Accident.

Punitive Damages in Texas

While most personal injury claims involve compensatory damages, some cases also qualify for punitive damages (also known as “exemplary damages”). These are awarded not to compensate the victim, but to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Examples of situations where punitive damages may apply include:

• Drunk or drugged driving
• Street racing or reckless evasion of police
• Multiple previous offenses showing disregard for public safety

Punitive damages in Texas are capped under Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, but they can still significantly increase the value of your case when justified.

Get Help from a Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

When you’ve been seriously injured in a car crash—whether it’s a rear-end accident, head-on collision, T-bone crash, or hit-and-run—you only get one shot at the compensation you need. The insurance companies have lawyers. You should too.

Michael Francis is one of less than 2% of Texas attorneys who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. With over 25 years of experience and offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Southlake, our team is ready to fight for you.