Not every car crash is the same, and this is best shown when some accidents result in minor injuries while others result in brain trauma. The difference may not be as obvious as you think, because many severe injuries can occur at speeds most people wouldn’t consider dangerous. For example, you can sustain an injury from an accident going between 10-15 mph – you can go faster in a school zone.
So, what exactly happens to your body in a car accident? Well below we’ve broken it down by crash type:
Head-on Collisions
In frontal collisions the human body continues traveling forward after the impact. This clashes with other safety features in your car which are designed to stop said movement, specifically your seatbelt and airbag. Depending on the force of the crash, they could:
• Break or fracture collarbones
• Break ribs (and a broken rib could potentially puncture a lung)
• Cause temporary or permanent blindness (if the airbag impacts your eyes)
• Injury your neck or spine (as airbags can cause your head to snap backward)
Rear-end Collisions
Rear-end collisions are typically the most common accident type, and opposite to frontal collisions, these cause the body to abruptly move backwards. This shifts majority injury from your front to your back which stores a vital part of your body – the spine. Injuries caused by rear-end collisions include (but are not limited to):
• Tearing of spinal ligaments
• Disc herniation
• Fractures of vertebra (which can lead to a broken neck or paralysis)
• Concussion or traumatic brain injury
Side Collisions - The T-bone Accident
Also known as T-bone collisions, these can be lethal at low speeds. The reason for this is because car doors and their supporting columns aren’t meant to take a heavy impact. And with nowhere else to go, these structures cave inwards resulting in:
• The occupant being crushed
• Severe injuries to the thorax, pelvis, upper body, and internal organs
• Neck and spinal injuries
• Additional head injuries resulting from sudden motion of crash and there being no side head restraint
Perhaps the most important injury that can result from a car accident, is the overall impact it can have on your life. Car crash survivors can experience PTSD or survivor’s guilt which can affect behavior and mental health, taking many years to heal compared to physical injuries. It’s not only important to drive safely & defensively but to pick a car with safety in mind. Drive safe Atlanta.
Speak to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer for Help
A car accident can terrify you. In addition to vehicle damage, you may have extensive physical injuries and psychological trauma.
While the legal process of filing a claim may seem like an ordeal, you do not have to go through it alone when you hire a car accident lawyer from Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group.
If you need financial compensation after a car collision, our team is here to help you.
Contact our Atlanta car accident lawyers today at (404) 609-1724 for a free evaluation of your case.