The human body is not designed to travel at 100 miles per hour. Unfortunately, man has designed vehicles that can go this speed—with human bodies wedged inside. When vehicles collide with another object, whether a tree or another vehicle, our bodies cannot withstand the force placed on them. Unsurprisingly, many people suffer horrifying injuries and many times even death.
What injuries you can suffer will depend on a variety of factors, including whether you were wearing a seatbelt or whether an airbag deployed. But the most critical factor is the type of collision you are involved in.
Side Crashes
When another vehicle strikes you on the side—“T-boning” you—the door will push in and strike the person on the side closest to the collision. This person can suffer:
- Head injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Chest trauma, such as broken ribs
- Injuries to the lower extremities
Other passengers can also suffer injuries when the driver collides with them and when they rebound and hit the pillar behind the front door. These occupants can also suffer head and chest injuries.
Head-on Collisions
The greatest danger for a driver in a head-on collision is that they will hit the steering column and the dashboard. If the driver is wearing a seatbelt, then the belt should restrain them sufficiently so that they do not suffer more than moderate injuries to the chest and lower limbs.
However, if the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, then they should make a direct contact with the steering column (provided there is no air bag). Most of the people who suffer serious injuries from head-on collisions were not wearing seatbelts. They can suffer devastating injuries to the head, face, chest, pelvis, legs, and feet.
Rear-End Collisions
When a vehicle rear-ends you, you probably will not be hit with enough force to throw you into the steering column. Instead, the greatest risk of injury occurs from whiplash when your head is violently thrown forwards and then backwards. You can suffer injuries to various parts of your body, including:
- Head
- Neck
- Spine
- Chest
Rollovers
A rollover is a particularly deadly type of accident. Vehicles are at risk of rolling over in the following situations:
- The driver tries to make a turn while going downhill
- The vehicle strikes the curb or guardrail
- The vehicle tires dig into soft soil
- The vehicle is top-heavy and becomes unbalanced
In many rollovers, passengers hit the doors or the roof. They might also suffer an injury if they are thrown from the vehicle, after which they can hit many different objects such as trees, other vehicles, or the road. Common injuries occur to the head, arms, and shoulders. Facial injuries are also fairly common—and emotionally devastating for victims.
Speak with a Miami Personal Injury Attorneys
If someone else is to blame for your accident, you might be entitled to compensation. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, our Miami car accident lawyers have helped many accident victims pursue money damages that allow them to rebuild their lives. To schedule your free case evaluation, please call us today at 305-371-2692 or contact us online.