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If you've been injured in a car accident due to another driver's negligence, poor road conditions, or defective vehicle components, you have a valid car accident claim.
If you're unsure about liability in your car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
Below are comprehensive details of common types of car accidents we handle. This list is thorough but not exhaustive—if you suspect negligence contributed to your accident, please reach out. We’re here to help.
"Rear-end collisions are frequently caused by distracted, aggressive, or inattentive driving. Even at low speeds, these accidents can cause serious injuries including spinal trauma, or concussions."
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
The most common crash. The most overlooked injuries.
Rear-end crashes account for nearly 30% of all accidents—that's 3.78 million collisions annually (source). Don't let "minor" fool you. Even low-speed impacts deliver devastating force to your neck and spine.
Typical injuries include:
Why they happen:
Distracted driving, tailgating, speeding, and impaired reaction times turn everyday commutes into life-changing events.
While rear-end crashes cause only 7% of fatal accidents (source), they generate massive medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain. The "minor fender-bender" that changed everything deserves serious legal attention.
Read more about rear-end crashes.
"Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents, frequently resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries due to the force of impact."
Michael Kaplen, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
3% of crashes. 11% of deaths.
When two vehicles collide front-to-front, the physics are brutal. Combined speeds create devastating forces that turn cars into weapons. In 2024, NYC alone saw over 1,000 head-on crashes.
Common causes:
Devastating consequences:
Survivors face enormous medical costs and lifelong disabilities. Your family needs experienced advocates who understand the stakes.
Read more about head-on collisions.
"T-bone accidents frequently happen at intersections due to drivers running red lights or failing to yield. Occupants often suffer severe injuries due to limited side protection."
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
Your car's weakest point. Their strongest impact.
Each year there are tens of thousands of T-bone accidents in New York. When a vehicle's front slams into your side, there's little between you and disaster—just a door and some glass.
Intersection dangers:
Severe injuries from limited protection:
According to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact crashes cause 25% of traffic deaths nationally. Intersections aren't just crossings—they're danger zones requiring maximum vigilance and legal protection when things go wrong.
Read more about side impact collisions.
"Sideswipe accidents, often caused by improper lane changes or inattentive driving, can result in loss of vehicle control, potentially causing serious secondary collisions."
Michael Kaplen, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
The "minor" accident that isn't.
Sideswipes look simple—two cars scraping sides. But lose control afterward, and you're facing secondary crashes, barrier impacts, or pedestrian strikes.
Why they happen:
Escalating injuries:
Don't let insurance companies minimize sideswipe damage. These "minor" accidents create major medical bills and lost wages.
Read more about sideswipe car accidents.
"Multi-vehicle accidents are complex and often occur due to poor weather conditions, high-speed driving, or chain reactions from an initial collision. These incidents frequently involve multiple injury victims."
Michael Kaplen, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
One crash becomes ten. One injury becomes hundreds.
Chain-reaction collisions turn highways into disaster zones. With 72% of accidents involving multiple vehicles (source), pile-ups create complex legal nightmares with multiple drivers, insurers, and degrees of fault.
Cascade triggers:
Multiplied trauma:
Multiple vehicles mean multiple insurance claims, disputed liability, and accident reconstruction battles. You need attorneys who can untangle the chaos and fight for full compensation.
Read more about multi-vehicle pile-up accidents.
"Rollover accidents often result from high-speed maneuvers, vehicle design flaws, or poor road conditions. These accidents frequently result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the violent nature of the incident."
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
2% of accidents. 35% of deaths.
When vehicles flip, occupants become projectiles. SUVs, trucks, and vans with high centers of gravity are particularly vulnerable to rollovers that create catastrophic injuries.
Rollover triggers:
Violent consequences:
Rollover survivors face extensive rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, and overwhelming costs. These complex cases demand experienced legal teams who understand vehicle dynamics and manufacturer liability.
Read more about rollover accidents.
"Hit-and-run incidents leave victims without immediate justice and pose significant challenges. Vigorous legal representation is critical in pursuing accountability and compensation for victims."
Shana De Caro
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
They left you injured. We'll find them.
Hit-and-run incidents increased 25% in NYC between 2018-2023 (source). Victims are left injured, confused, and seemingly without recourse. But evidence and legal recourse exists—we know how to find it and file the appropriate claim on your behalf.
Our investigation tools:
Common injuries:
No license plate? No problem. We'll work with uninsured motorist coverage and pursue every avenue for compensation. Hit-and-run drivers think they can escape justice—they're wrong.
Read more about hit-and-run car accidents.
"Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents today, including behaviors such as texting, eating, or using GPS. These preventable accidents can lead to serious injuries or fatalities."
Michael Kaplen, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
Five seconds is all it takes.
At 55 mph, looking at your phone for five seconds means driving the length of a football field blind. In NYC, distracted driving caused over 25,000 crashes in 2022—1 in every 4 accidents.
Modern distractions:
Delayed reaction injuries:
These accidents are 100% preventable, making the negligence inexcusable. Distracted drivers must be held fully accountable for their choices.
Read more about distracted driving accidents.
"Driving under the influence remains a leading cause of catastrophic injuries and fatalities on our roads. Drunk drivers pose unacceptable risks and must be held accountable."
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
30% of traffic deaths. Zero excuses.
Drunk driving kills over 12,000 Americans annually (source). In New York, 28% of fatal crashes involve impaired drivers who chose to weaponize their vehicles (NYS).
Impairment effects:
Catastrophic results:
Drunk drivers don't just face criminal charges—they can face punitive damages designed to punish and deter. We'll pursue every dollar available to hold them accountable.
Read more about drunk or impaired driving accidents.
"Accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can be particularly severe, with victims often sustaining life-altering injuries. Drivers bear a heightened responsibility to protect vulnerable road users."
Michael Kaplen, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
No protection. Maximum vulnerability.
In 2022, NYC drivers killed 132 pedestrians and 18 cyclists while injuring over 13,900 more. People on foot or bike accounted for over half of all traffic deaths.
Driver failures:
Life-altering injuries:
Arterial streets represent just 15% of NYC roads but cause 60% of pedestrian deaths. These aren't accidents—they're preventable tragedies requiring accountability.
"Single-vehicle accidents are often misunderstood. Just because only one car was involved doesn't mean the driver was at fault—road defects, mechanical failures, and debris can cause serious crashes."
Michael Kaplen, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
One car doesn't mean one cause.
Single-vehicle crashes account for a large percentage of crashes, but "single-vehicle" is misleading. When your car hits a tree, guardrail, or rolls into a ditch, the real culprit might be a pothole, faulty brakes, or debris in the roadway.
Hidden causes:
Serious consequences:
Don't let insurance companies blame you automatically. We investigate road conditions, vehicle maintenance records, and municipal responsibilities. Your "single-vehicle" accident might involve multiple liable parties.
"When brakes fail or tires blow out, drivers become victims of manufacturing defects. These cases require extensive investigation to hold automotive companies accountable for their products."
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
Your car became the weapon. The manufacturer pulled the trigger.
Modern vehicles contain thousands of components—any one can fail catastrophically. When defective parts cause crashes, manufacturers with billion-dollar profits must be held accountable for cutting corners on safety.
Common defects:
Devastating results:
Manufacturing accountability: Vehicle defects turn your car into a death trap. Manufacturers must answer for their failures. We work with automotive engineers and safety experts to prove defects and demand recalls when necessary.
"Construction zones create unique hazards with narrow lanes, shifting traffic patterns, and heavy equipment. Multiple parties may share liability when these complex environments lead to serious accidents."
Shana De Caro, senior partner and personal injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
Orange cones. Concrete barriers. Maximum danger.
NYC's constant construction creates accident hotspots with confusing lane changes, reduced visibility, and massive equipment. When crashes happen, liability can involve the city, contractors, and other drivers.
Construction hazards:
Amplified injuries:
Complex liability: Construction zone accidents can involve multiple defendants: the city, general contractors, subcontractors, and equipment operators. We investigate work zone design, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance. When construction zones become crash zones, everyone responsible must pay.
Additional car accident scenarios include:
If negligence contributed to your car accident injury, you deserve compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
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