Types Of High-Speed Impact Crashes In Colorado

What Is Considered A High-Speed Impact Crash?

High-speed collisions are classified as those that occur at speeds of 30 mph or more. In the United States, most high-speed crashes happen on highways and interstates. In these accidents, the likelihood that personal injury will occur is greatly increased. There are several different types of car crashes that are considered high-speed. 

Types Of High-Speed Impact Crashes In Colorado

Due to the vehicle’s velocity during these collisions, the magnitude of damage and accident type are heightened. What can happen to both the driver and the automobile is more lethal. There are six common types of high-speed accident classifications. 

Rollover

A rollover occurs when your vehicle physically turns over. The chances of this happening at high speeds are greatly increased due to the vehicle’s momentum. Personal injury risks are higher in these types of situations due to the loss of control of the car.  

Rollover accidents are categorized as tripped or untripped. Tripped rollover accidents occur when a car strikes another car or object. Essentially, the force that turns the car is employed externally. The significant shift of the vehicle’s weight to one side can make it unstable, causing it to turn.

Untripped rollover accidents occur when a car turns without being destabilized by another vehicle or object. It happens due to the interaction of a car’s movement with the forces of gravity — different forces occur on the vehicle, destabilizing it. 

For example, when a car rolls after taking a corner too fast or when a driver turns fast after realizing there is another vehicle in the lane they are merging into. A sudden load shift in a vehicle that was improperly loaded can also throw off its balance, resulting in a rollover.

You may be involved in any of these types. If a negligent driver hits your car and it rolls over, this can be considered a tripped rollover. If you are driving around a truck that rolls over due to improper loading and are injured, you may be considered a victim of an untripped rollover accident.

T-Bone Collisions

These accidents tend to happen at intersections. They are side-impact collisions named for the position of the vehicles during the wreck. One vehicle strikes the front of their car into the side of another at a nearly perpendicular angle, creating a T-shape and thus giving this vehicle accident its name. 

Different factors contribute to a T-bone accident — for starters, failing to yield. A driver approaching an intersection should slow down or come to a complete stop (when there is a stop sign) to give way to any traffic already in the intersection or approaching another roadway. If they fail to give the right of way, a high-speed impact crash may occur.

T-bone accidents are also widely caused by drivers who disregard traffic signals. These include those who run red lights and fail to obey stop signs. Additionally, drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs can cause T-bone accidents at intersections or any other place, such as a parking lot.

Another cause of T-bone accidents is distracted driving. If a driver is not paying attention to driving, they may end up striking the side of another vehicle. Examples of distractions when driving include eating, talking with passengers, using a navigation system, adjusting the road, and looking at billboards. 

Poor weather conditions, like heavy rains, can cause T-bone accidents, as a driver may experience poor visibility. Furthermore, slippery roads caused by rain and ice can make it difficult for a driver to navigate an intersection, increasing the risk of a crash.

Head-On Collisions

Regarding high-speed impacts, this is the most dangerous type of car crash. This is due to the forward motion of both vehicles being directed into each other. Additionally, direct impact rather than a glancing blow increases the carnage during the collision. 

Head-on collisions can be caused by aggressive driving, distracted driving, unsafe lane changing, improper passing, wrong-way driving, drunk driving, mechanical issues, poor weather conditions, poor road conditions, and drowsy driving.

This type of accident can be dangerous due to combined speeds. The force of the impact of a head-on collision is usually the sum of the speeds of both vehicles. If two cars driving at 35 mph collide head-on, the impact will be equivalent to one of those vehicles hitting a stationary object at 70 mph. This can even be more dangerous if the vehicles were traveling at higher speeds, like 70 mph each. 

Weight is another factor considered when calculating the force of the impact of a head-on collision. Two trucks or a small vehicle and a truck colliding head-on can result in more severe injuries.

A significant percentage of vehicles can’t absorb the majority of the impact of head-on collisions. Some modern cars have crumple zones designed to absorb impact energy during a crash. While considerably beneficial, crumple zones can be overwhelmed in some head-on accidents, for instance, when both cars are traveling at 70 mph.

A head-on collision can result in serious injuries, like traumatic brain injury, internal injuries, lacerations, burns, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries.

Sideswiping While Merging

Similar to the T-bone collision, this is another type of side-impact collision. When these situations arise, it’s due to one vehicle trying to enter a lane that is already occupied. The vehicle makes an impact with another, typically with its front fender.

In most cases, the merging driver is usually at fault because the accident is likely a consequence of unsafe lane changing. They should have confirmed no vehicle was in the lane they wanted to merge into. If there was one, the merging driver should have yielded to it. Driving too fast when merging is another common factor that can contribute to sideswiping while merging. Drivers should slow down at merge points and match the speed of the road they are entering.

A driver already in the lane may also be at fault for sideswiping when merging. This can be the case if they drive too fast or slowly to prevent another driver from merging into their lane, are distracted, are drunk, or are aggressive.

Hit-And-Run Accidents

Another situation that can arise in high-speed crashes is a hit-and-run. In these scenarios, a vehicle has an impact with another but is still able to be driven. The driver flees the scene, leaving the other party at the crash site. 

Any driver can hit and run, but some factors can make some more likely to do so. Firstly, a driver may flee an accident scene to avoid being charged with a crime. Perhaps they were driving while under the influence of alcohol, or they don’t have valid insurance or a license. If a driver with a suspended license causes an accident, they can face serious legal penalties, including a hefty fine and jail time. A drunk driver with a criminal record may go to prison for years and pay a fine of thousands of dollars.

A driver with a clean criminal and driving record may also flee an accident scene out of fear. They may be afraid of losing their license, or they may run in a panic response (the stress of the crash can cause them to instinctively flee the scene). It’s also not unheard of for people to flee an accident scene because they feel guilt and shame.

A hit-and-run is unlawful. One may face a felony charge if they flee an accident scene that results in death. Leaving an accident scene without a valid reason, such as to report the accident or get medical attention, can also be considered a hit-and-run.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

These types of incidents occur when the driver loses control of the vehicle but does not collide with another motor vehicle. Typically, the motorist collides with a road barrier, animal, or natural obstruction.

Single-vehicle accidents can be caused by distracted driving, speeding, harsh weather conditions, drunk driving, animals crossing the road, vehicle defects, and reckless driving. This type of accident can result in injuries to the occupants of the vehicle or other road users, like a pedestrian and an animal. Vehicle damage is also common. The damage can be caused by an object the vehicle hits or as a consequence of rolling over. 

Property damage is another type of damage reported in single-vehicle accidents. The vehicle may hit a building, a road sign, or a parked car. 

Single-vehicle accidents can be dangerous, especially when speeding is a contributing factor.

Tips To Avoid Being In A High-Speed Impact Car Accident

Knowing about these accidents isn’t enough to prevent them. There are defensive driving steps you can take that will help reduce your chances of being involved in one. Some of the more common ways to lower your risk of being in a motor vehicle accident are:

• Keep your distance from other motorists
• Slow down
• Don’t drive when tired or drowsy
• Avoid driving in inclement weather
• Check mirrors multiple times before merging or turning
• Yield to other drivers at intersections
• Make a complete stop when you see a stop sign at an intersection. Do not proceed until it’s safe to do so.
• Avoid distractions when driving. Stay calm, avoid using your cell phone, ask passengers not to involve you in conversations, don’t eat/drink, and avoid looking outside at billboards/scenic views/accidents.
• Know when to increase the safe following distance. It’s necessary to increase your distance during harsh weather conditions, in low-light conditions, and when following a larger vehicle.
• Always drive carefully, even when alone on the road. It can be tempting to speed or take your eyes off the road when your car is the only one on the road. However, as discussed above, single-vehicle accidents can be dangerous. You should always pay attention to your driving and observe safety tips, whether alone or sharing the road with other users.
• Avoid swerving when an accident is likely to happen. When in a situation that may lead to a high-speed car accident, perhaps there is a vehicle in the lane you were merging to, it’s crucial to avoid swerving. Instead, smoothly steer out of the impact path — you may need to go off the road. Quick steering wheel movements can cause you to hit another object or lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a rollover accident. Stay calm and maintain a stable grip on your wheel.
• Anticipate other drivers. When driving, always stay alert to notice another driver’s actions. If a driver signals a movement or hits the brakes, you should see this sooner and act accordingly. You also need to communicate your intentions with other drivers. Use turn signals, avoid brake slamming, and brake early (not too early).

What To Do After A High-Speed Collision In Colorado

Vehicle crashes are always stressful. When they happen, there’s a strong possibility your adrenaline will be high, and your emotions will be amplified. Do your best to follow these steps after an accident:

• The first thing you’ll want to do is stay calm. Panic or anger can lead to poor decision-making. 
• Next, check yourself for injuries. If you don’t have any, check any passengers you have with you.
• Get to a safe spot off the road. Don’t leave the scene of the accident, but don’t stay in an area that could result in further harm.
• Call emergency services even if you or your passengers have sustained minor injuries. Provide the dispatcher with your location (city, street name, traveling direction, and, if possible, a landmark), the number of people involved (you may be unable to provide the exact number of those in the other vehicle), and any crucial information about the injuries. You don’t need to find non-emergency phone numbers. 911 will alert an emergency medical response team, who will come to your location.
• Call the police. You should call the police if you are involved in an accident that results in property damage, including minor accidents that lead to minor damages. You need to make this call from the accident scene — do not leave the scene without a valid reason. The police will come to the scene to obtain the needed information. If they don’t, you can go to the nearest police agency to report it.
• Exchange information with the other driver, including names, contact details, insurance information, license plate numbers, vehicle registration numbers, and details about your vehicles. When doing this, avoid discussing the accident — who was at fault, how it happened, or the legal actions you plan to take.
• Take photos. Pictures serve as crucial evidence in car accident claims. It will be best to take photos of the accident scene before things change. Take photos of the position of the vehicles, damages to the cars, your injuries, and the surroundings.
• Gather witness statements. Obtain the contact information of the witnesses and their statements.
• Take notes. You may forget crucial information about the accident as time goes by. That’s why it’s recommended that you write down the details as soon as possible. These include the date, time, and location of the accident, the speed of both cars, what happened before, during, and after the accident, and the contents of the conversations you had at the scene, etc.

Once you’ve established that you are going to be okay, you’ll want to think about taking legal steps. You’ll want to get in touch with a car accident attorney to better understand what you might be entitled to.

Colorado Car Accident Attorneys

The law office of Bachus & Schanker can help car accident victims who have suffered personal injuries from these types of high-speed collisions. Our staff takes pride in helping you understand if you have a claim — and helping you to file one if you do. Motor vehicle crashes can be devastating, but filing a claim won’t be without the help of our experienced Colorado car accident lawyers. 

A high-speed impact crash can lead to serious injuries that can significantly impact your life. You may incur high medical bills, and some of these expenses can be ongoing. When receiving treatment, you may need to miss work for some time. Accordingly, you will lose wages. If you are unable to perform your usual work duties after returning to work, you may lose your earning potential if you have to move to a low-paying career or department. Other damages you may suffer from a high-speed impact collision are pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement.

Our lawyers will help you recover compensation that can cover these damages. We have five locations in Colorado (Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Englewood, and Fort Collins). We are also in Cheyenne, WY. 

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