Motor Vehicle Collisions
Vehicle collisions occur when a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter or another mode of transport is involved in a collision that causes injury, death, or property damage to a vehicle occupant, bike or scooter rider, or a pedestrian. These incidents can involve personal vehicles like cars and motorcycles, larger commercial trucks, or public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
Collisions caused by cars or trucks also affect vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, who face a higher risk of severe harm. Beyond roadways, transportation collisions can occur in aviation, boating, and railroad settings, where unique safety standards and risks apply. Regardless of type, vehicle collisions often involve complex questions of liability, safety regulations, and long-term impacts on victims and communities.
Types of Vehicle Collisions
Most collisions involve cars, and these collisions range from minor fender-benders to catastrophic crashes. Commercial truck collisions often cause severe damage due to the size and weight of the vehicles, while motorcycle and bicycle collisions leave riders especially vulnerable to serious injuries. Pedestrian collisions occur when people on foot are struck by vehicles, often in crosswalks or busy intersections. Beyond roadways, collisions can also involve public transportation systems, aviation, boating, and railroads, each with their own distinct causes and safety challenges.
Cars
Common causes include distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to yield. Because of their frequency, car collisions are the leading cause of personal injury claims in the United States. Victims often face medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation needs.
Rear-End
Collisions
Happen when one vehicle strikes the back of another.
Head-On
Crashes
Occur when two vehicles collide front-to-front.
Side-Impact
(T-Bone)
Involves one vehicle hitting the side of another.
Single-Vehicle
Crashes
Run-off-road or rollover accidents involving only one car.
Commercial Truck
Truck collisions occur when large commercial vehicles such as semis or delivery trucks collide with smaller cars, pedestrians, or infrastructure. Because of their weight and size, these crashes often cause catastrophic injuries and significant property damage. Contributing factors include driver fatigue, improper loading, and mechanical failures. Victims often face complex legal cases because of the involvement of trucking companies, insurers, and federal safety regulations. The aftermath can leave families with devastating financial and emotional burdens.
Jackknife
Trailer swings out, folding against the cab.
Underride
A smaller vehicle slides under a truck’s trailer.
Rollover
Truck tips onto its side or roof.​
Wide-Turn
Truck swings wide and strikes nearby vehicles.
Pedestrian
Pedestrian collisions happen when a person on foot is struck by a vehicle, often at crosswalks, intersections, or parking lots. These collisions are especially dangerous since pedestrians lack protection from impact. Visibility issues, distracted drivers, and jaywalking frequently play a role. Injuries are typically severe, including broken bones, head trauma, or even wrongful death. Survivors often experience lasting physical and emotional trauma.
Crosswalk
Strike
Pedestrian struck while lawfully crossing.
Backing-
Up
Vehicle hits a pedestrian while reversing.
Dart-
Out
Pedestrian suddenly crosses outside a crosswalk.
Turning
Vehicle
Pedestrian struck by a vehicle turning at an intersection.
Bicycle
Bicycle collisions occur when cyclists collide with vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles. Riders are highly vulnerable, leading to severe injuries even in low-speed crashes. Common scenarios include doorings, unsafe turns by vehicles, or cyclists losing control on poor road surfaces. Many cases also involve disputes about who had the right of way. Cyclists may face lifelong challenges if spinal or head injuries occur.
Biker
Dooring
Cyclist hit by an opening car door.
​
Right-
Hook
Vehicle turns right into cyclist’s path.
Left-
Turn
Vehicle turns left across cyclist’s path.
Rear-
End
Cyclist struck from behind by a vehicle.
Motorcycle
Motorcycle collisions often involve collisions with cars or loss of control due to road hazards. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, riders face a high risk of serious injury or death. Speeding, lane changes, and cars turning in front of motorcycles are frequent causes. Even with helmets and protective gear, motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users. Legal claims often involve proving negligence by other drivers who failed to see the motorcyclist.
Left-
Turn
Car turns across motorcyclist’s lane.
Lane-
Change
Vehicle changes lanes into motorcycle.
Rear-
End
Motorcyclist struck from behind.
Single-
Vehicle
Rider crashes due to road hazards or loss of control.
Public
Transportation
These collisions involve buses, trains, or subways and can affect both passengers and bystanders. They may include collisions, derailments, sudden stops, or slip-and-fall incidents inside vehicles. While less frequent than car collisions, they often impact large numbers of people at once. Claims can be complicated by government entities and public transit authorities being involved. Compensation may require navigating strict notice and filing deadlines.
Bus
Collisions
Bus strikes a vehicle or pedestrian.
Train
Derailments
Train leaves the track.
Slip-And-
Fall
Passenger injured while boarding or riding.
Sudden
Stops
Abrupt braking causes passenger injuries.
Aviation
Aviation collisions occur in both commercial and private flights, ranging from runway collisions to mid-air crashes. They may result from pilot error, mechanical failure, weather conditions, or air traffic control issues. Though rare, they often cause widespread fatalities and major investigations. Aviation cases also involve federal agencies such as the NTSB and FAA. Families affected by aviation collisions often face complex international or interstate legal questions.
Runway
Incursions
Aircraft or vehicles collide on a runway.
Mid-Air
Collisions
Two aircraft strike each other in flight.
CFIT
Controlled flight into terrain, often in low visibility.
Mechanical
Failure
Equipment malfunction causes loss of control.
Boating
Boating collisions involve recreational or commercial vessels colliding, capsizing, or running aground. They can result in drowning, injuries, or property damage. Alcohol use, operator inexperience, and hazardous weather are common contributing factors. Maritime law and state boating regulations often complicate recovery for victims. In many cases, unsafe operation or inadequate safety equipment is a key issue.
Collisions
Two boats crash into each other.
Grounding
Vessel strikes rocks or shore.
Capsizing
Boat overturns in the water.
Overboard
Person falls into the water from a vessel.
Railroad
Railroad collisions include train derailments, train-to-train collisions, or crashes at vehicle crossings. These incidents can cause extensive property damage and affect large groups of passengers or communities near tracks. Mechanical issues, human error, and inadequate safety systems are typical causes. Because trains often travel through populated areas, collisions can have widespread community impact. Victims may face complex claims against large rail companies and government regulators.
Train
Derailments
Train leaves the rails.
Crossing
Collisions
Train strikes a car or pedestrian at a crossing.
Train-To-
Train
Two trains collide with each other.
​
Mechanical
Failures
Faulty equipment leads to accidents.
Our Expertise On Vehicle Collisions
At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C.
Our firm has extensive experience handling all types of vehicle collision cases, from car and commercial truck crashes to pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle injuries. We also represent victims of collisions involving public transportation, aviation, boating, and railroads, each of which requires specialized legal knowledge and attention to detail.
Our attorneys understand the unique challenges these cases present, including complex liability issues, severe injuries, and powerful defendants such as corporations and government entities.
We combine in-depth legal skill with a commitment to securing maximum compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term recovery. With a proven track record across diverse collision cases, we provide the advocacy and resources clients need to rebuild their lives.
Top Vehicle Collision Case Results
We have achieved record-setting verdicts and settlements across a wide range of vehicle collision cases, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and public transportation. Our results reflect both our deep legal expertise and our commitment to securing justice for collision victims and their families.
$6 Million
Settlement for a 55-year-old man who suffered leg injuries in a head-on truck collision.
$3 Million
Policy-limits settlement for a woman with a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a delivery truck in a crosswalk.
$1 Million
Settlement for a 46-year-old woman whose multiple sclerosis was aggravated in an auto collision.
$900K
Settlement for a woman who developed an arterio-venous fistula after a rear-end crash.
Vehicle Collision FAQs
Related Vehicle Collision Articles
