MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

In a scenario where two vehicles swerve at each other but only one crashes, how should the crash type be classified?

1. Multiple vehicle crash

2. Single motor vehicle crash

3. Non-contact crash

4. Head-on collision

The correct answer is: Single motor vehicle crash

The classification of the crash as a single motor vehicle crash is appropriate because, despite the presence of two vehicles swerving towards each other, the scenario results in only one vehicle making contact and crashing. In accident reporting, a single motor vehicle crash is defined as an incident involving just one vehicle that results in a collision or an accident. The other vehicle's actions may contribute to the situation, but since it did not collide with the first vehicle, it does not qualify as a multiple vehicle crash. Understanding the context of potential dynamic interactions—such as swerving or avoiding collisions—helps clarify that in terms of classification, the focus is on physical impact. In this case, only one vehicle experiences a collision, reinforcing the classification as a single motor vehicle crash, as the key factor is the absence of physical contact with the second vehicle. Other terms like non-contact crash would imply there was no collision at all, which is not the case here since one vehicle has indeed crashed. A head-on collision refers specifically to the type of impact when two vehicles driving in opposite directions collide, which does not apply here since only one vehicle crashed. Multiple vehicle crashes require at least two vehicles involved in a collision, which again does not match this scenario.