What Is the Definition of a Traffic Accident?

A traffic accident is defined as a collision involving one or more vehicles. It can also involve other “moving objects,” such as a pedestrian or cyclist. Traffic accidents also frequently involve fixed objects, such as trees, walls, or parked vehicles.

There are many parts to a traffic accident that can make it difficult to accurately define generally. Therefore, our experienced New York car accident attorneys provide you with detailed breakdowns of each type of traffic accident and how each one can potentially affect you.

Defining Common Traffic Accident Types

While any collision between a motor vehicle and a person or object can constitute a traffic accident, they often fall into a few common categories based on their characteristics. The following are examples of different collision categories.

Collision Involving a Motor Vehicle in Transport

This is both a collision and a motor vehicle accident. Within this category, there are many subcategories as well, including:

• Sideswipes
• Rear-endings
• Head-on collisions
• Side-impact or T-bone collisions

The majority of this list makes up the most common types of crashes on the road. When these traffic accidents occur, the first harmful event is the vehicle colliding with one or more vehicles while in transport, including a passenger vehicle, truck, or motorcycle.

Collision Involving a Fixed Object

Collisions involving a fixed object mean the first harmful event occurred when the vehicle in transport struck a fixed object, including bridge railings, embedded rocks, guardrails, and utility poles.

A Collision Involving a Parked Vehicle

When a parked vehicle is involved in an accident, that means the first harmful event is when one vehicle strikes another that is not in transport. Depending on where the collision occurs, this type of accident can fall into the subcategories listed above, as well.

A Collision Involving a Pedestrian

This can happen in a parking lot, on a sidewalk, at a crosswalk, or elsewhere in the street. While pedestrians must exercise caution when crossing the street or near any moving vehicle, it’s ultimately up to the driver to ensure that pedestrian safety gets held as the priority.

A Collision Involving a Bicyclist

Bikes and cars often have to share the road, especially in cities that utilize bike lanes and prohibit the use of bicycles on the sidewalk. This proximity can make traffic collisions involving bicyclists more common.

Risks Associated With Traffic Accidents

Beyond researching the definition of a traffic accident, reading statistics can illustrate how dangerous and devastating these collisions can be, and thus the importance of preventing them. There are many risks associated with being involved in one, including severe injury and death.

The severity of a vehicle accident and the resulting injuries can depend on the presence of certain factors, such as:

• Driver distraction
• Speeding
• Intoxication

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2020 saw a record number of fatal traffic accidents since 2007. Some of the root causes behind this uptick in traffic fatalities and injuries were increased instances of impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

An injury facts overview of motor vehicle accidents from the National Safety Council (NSC) states that, during 2019, there were 39,107 motor vehicle-related fatalities. As you can see, in recent years, the traffic accident rate has steadily increased.

These three factors remained significant contributors. The most important thing to note about distraction, intoxication, and speeding is that they can all help support a personal injury case. Drivers who commit these acts are often liable when collisions occur, meaning you could hold them accountable for your or your loved one’s injuries.

Recoverable Damages for a Traffic Accident

If another driver caused you or your loved one to suffer injuries due to their negligence, you may qualify to file a claim or lawsuit against them for compensation.

Our hard-working firm fights hard on your behalf to ensure you receive past and future economic losses. The following is a list of potentially recoverable damages you might receive:

• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Ongoing care costs
• Prescription medicine
• Loss of wages or employment
• Medical bills
• Physical and emotional therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disabilities

As long as your damages resulted from your traffic accident injuries, we can help you factor them into your settlement. While money can’t repair everything, it can help you move forward and get closure. Hold the negligent party responsible for your accident liable for what happened.

Time Limits for Filing a Traffic Accident Lawsuit

Failure to file a lawsuit within the time frame you have, which varies depending on your state, prevents attorneys from taking your case to court. Knowing your state’s statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in traffic accident situations is essential. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for these deadlines to slip through the cracks.

A few years may seem like a long time to begin this process, but it takes a while to build a robust and compelling case, so do not delay seeking legal help. An attorney from our team will work diligently on your behalf to ensure evidence is collected and preserved before it disappears.

Steps to Follow After a Traffic Accident

You can follow specific steps after a traffic accident to help protect your rights and maximize your compensation. Despite the safety technologies that are in place to help protect motorists during a collision, millions of Americans get injured on the country’s roads. If you get involved in a traffic accident, we recommend you follow these steps:

• Stop your vehicle immediately, check for injuries, and call 911 for help.
• Preserve all evidence from the scene of the accident. Take pictures of the scene and property damage.
• Wait for law enforcement and first responders to arrive.
• Exchange information with eyewitnesses.
• Avoid making any statement of guilt or apology.
• Consider retaining an attorney.

Remember, one thing that’s common about any type of traffic accident is that as long as you weren’t at fault, you don’t have to pay for any of your damages. So, whether you live in a no-fault state or not, you can recover a financial settlement for any of your damages by following these steps.

Let Our Traffic Accident Team Help You Recover Compensation

Our team of traffic accident lawyers understands personal injury laws, regulations, filing procedures, and recoverable damages. We handle cases involving:

• Car malfunction or defect
• Driver error
• Drunk driving accidents
• Highway defects
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Pedestrian accidents
• Speeding
• Whiplash

Since you might be facing several of these scenarios, or a multitude of other situations, we are here to sort out all the details of your traffic accident. We work hard to determine who is at fault by examining if your case involves:

• Driving while intoxicated
• Making illegal maneuvers
• Texting or talking while driving
• Operating a vehicle with other distractions

In short, hiring one of our traffic accident lawyers to represent you can mean the difference between getting fully compensated or getting a lowball settlement. Never settle for anything less than the total amount of compensation you rightfully deserve.

Contact Our Firm Today for Your Free Case Review

If you were involved in a traffic accident, we can help you build a case to recover compensation that you are entitled to from the at-fault party. You should not have to pay for treatment for injuries someone else caused. The New York commercial motor vehicle accident lawyers at the Morelli Law Firm can review your case for free. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.