While all Cleveland, Ohio, auto accidents carry the risk of ending or altering your life forever, some auto accidents are more likely to be terribly destructive than others. Typically, we look at the causes of auto accidents when we consider which types of auto accidents are most likely to cause serious injury and death. For instance, drowsy drivers, distracted drivers, and drunk drivers are less likely to slow their vehicles or maneuver them to avoid an accident, meaning that those incidents are often high speed collisions. Yet, beyond the causes of accidents, we can also look at the types of collisions that are most likely to cause serious injury and death based on the size of the vehicles involved. For instance, the following types of collisions are the most destructive:
- Large Bus Accidents Involving Passenger Vehicles
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents Involving Passenger Vehicles
- Motorcycle Auto Accidents with Other Vehicles
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Auto Accidents
Cleveland, Ohio, Auto Accidents Involving Large City Buses and School Buses
Whenever an auto accident occurs between any passenger vehicle and a much larger city bus or school bus, the results can be devastating for the smaller vehicle. The buses are designed to be safe, and the passengers on board are unlikely to be seriously injured. Yet, those in the smaller vehicle are at great risk of grave injury. Smaller vehicles can be crushed or slammed into other vehicles. The bus drivers are trained to minimize the likelihood of an accident and respond appropriately to hazards. Yet, they cannot always avoid such incidents from occurring. Those who are injured in the smaller vehicles may then have the challenge of figuring out how to recover compensation when the incident involves a school district or the city, rather than a single liable driver.
Cleveland, Ohio, Auto Accidents Involving Large Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicle auto accidents are more common than bus accidents. This is because the drivers of the commercial vehicles, despite receiving special training in operating a large vehicle, are also at risk of drowsy driving. They are required to get enough rest, but this doesn’t mean that they always do. They have deadlines and high expectations. They also are more prone to zoning out on the road and failing to respond quickly to hazards. Beyond this, they may not get the necessary maintenance on their commercial vehicles to prevent an accident. When such a large commercial vehicle gets into an auto accident with a smaller vehicle, the results are often even more devastating than accidents involving buses. These collisions frequently happen on highways and involve multiple vehicles. Then, the victims must struggle to figure out where to turn for compensation when there are often multiple companies and entities involved who may be liable for damages.
Cleveland, Ohio, Auto Accidents Involving Motorcyclists
While auto accidents involving large vehicles, including commercial vehicles and buses, are particularly hazardous for those in the smaller vehicles, the same principle applies to motorcyclists in accidents with average passenger vehicles. The added concern with motorcyclists is that they are less visible to other drivers, and drivers are often not on the lookout to avoid accidents with them. A motorcyclist is also less protected from the impact. They may have a helmet, and they may wear thick and protective clothing, but they are not protected by the walls of a vehicle or a seat belt. They can easily be thrown, dragged, or crushed by another vehicle. Their injuries are frequently life altering or fatal.
Cleveland, Ohio, Auto Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Like motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists are harder to see on the road, much lighter in weight, and far more
If you’ve been in a destructive car accident, contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers for a free consultation.
likely to be killed in an auto accident. They frequently don’t have any protection at all. Pedestrians don’t wear helmets, and many bicycle riders don’t either. Even with a helmet, the outcome of a motor vehicle collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist in Cleveland, Ohio, is likely to be fatal. When pedestrians and bicyclists are in places that they are expected to be, such as residential areas, crosswalks, and school zones, drivers are more likely to watch for and notice them. When they are in places where they are not expected to be, such as traveling on the side of a highway, they are at greater risk of not being seen. It is a good idea to wear reflective clothing if you are a pedestrian and to pay special attention to traffic, no matter where you are. There are also many instances where a pedestrian auto accident is actually caused by the pedestrian. It could be a distracted person, not watching where they’re going or an inexperienced child racing into the road. Yet, nobody is ever comforted by the fact that the pedestrian was the one who made the mistake. Drivers should always be extra cautious when there are pedestrian around and never assume that they’re going to behave as expected.
What Do You Do After a Devastating Cleveland, Ohio, Auto Accident?
The most devastating auto accidents in Cleveland, Ohio, involve the largest and the smallest of vehicles. When this kind of accident happens to you, there are steps that you need to take to respond appropriately and maintain the strength of any auto accident claim you may have. The first thing that you need to do is stop your vehicle, if you are driving, and assess the situation. If your injuries are severe, remain still and call for help. If others have severe injuries, then respond to them as well as you can, and again, call for help. Dialing 911 is going to be among your first and most important steps after these types of auto accidents. If possible, you should take photos of the scene for evidence, and collect the contact and insurance information of all other drivers and witnesses. If you are not transported to the hospital by ambulance, then you should take yourself to the nearest emergency room to get a medical evaluation. You may have injuries that you are not aware of. Then, contact the Cleveland, Ohio, auto accident attorneys at the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers to learn more about the process ahead.
