common types of car accidents

There are many different types of car accidents, each unique in the types of damage it can cause. Each car accident type also has different injuries that commonly occur as a result. If you have recently been in a car accident, odds are it was one of these types.

Head-on Collision

These are the most dangerous auto accidents of them all, frequently resulting in serious injuries or even tragic fatalities. Head-on collisions occur when the front end of one vehicle strikes the front end of another while traveling in opposite directions.

Rear-end Collision

A rear-end collision is when the front end of one vehicle strikes the rear end of another. These frequently occur as a result of the striking driver not paying attention or the car being struck braking suddenly. These are not as fatal as head-on collisions, but they cause a lot of serious injuries, including neck injuries.

Side-Impact Collision

There are two types of side-impact collisions: “T-bone accidents” and “side-swipe collisions.” T-bone accidents are extremely dangerous, involving the front of one car striking the side of another. The car that is struck usually suffers serious injuries and fatalities because the side of the car usually has the least impact protection. Side-swipe collisions are when the sides of two cars collide. These don’t usually result in much more than property damage, but can be serious if one or both vehicles lose control because of the collision.

Rollover Accident

A rollover accident is when a car rolls over off of its wheels, either onto its side or roof. This is probably the least common of the accidents on this list, but it also carries a high chance for injury, specifically head and neck injuries. These accidents happen more commonly in vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as a large truck or an SUV.

Solo Accident

A solo accident is exactly what it sounds like: an accident in which a single car is involved. These are usually minor and result in no injuries, such as someone backing into a pole, but bad road conditions, poor weather, lack of visibility, and more have been known to cause cars to lose control, resulting in major injuries from an accident.

At The Terry Law Firm, our Morristown car accident attorneys take an individualized approach to each case, providing personal attention and open communication to help you obtain the financial relief you need. We have served Tennessee residents since 1960 and are well-known for our excellent knowledge of the law and unwavering commitment to client service and well-being.

Call The Terry Law Firm today to receive a free consultation after your car accident! Call (423) 586-5800.

Trial attorney F. Braxton “Brack” Terry focuses his law practice on representing injured people in a wide range of personal injury claims, including cases involving truck crashes, car accidents, defective products, premises liability, and more. His efforts have secured significant verdicts and settlements, including over $20 million for a large group of plaintiffs, and recoveries of $5.3 million, $4.1 million, $3.6 million, $3.1 million, $2.49 million, and high-six-figure amounts for individuals.

Brack has received numerous professional honors from prestigious organizations. Most recently, he was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® for Personal Injury Litigation in Knoxville in 2026. He has been listed in Best Lawyers® every year since 2013 and by Super Lawyers since 2009. Brack has been a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2007.

Brack earned his law degree from the Nashville School of Law in 1996. In addition to membership in the Tennessee Bar, he is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Brack is a member of many professional organizations, such as the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Interstate Truck Litigation Group.

Admitted to Tennessee Bar: 1996
Years of Legal Experience: 30
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: 2013-Present
Listed as a Mid-South Super Lawyer: 2009-Present