5 Common Car Accident Injuries

5 Common Car Accident Injuries

By Pyle Law, Reviewed by E. Thomas Pyle April 14 2022 9:26 pm

Being injured in a car crash accident can be a devastating, life-changing moment. Despite all the improvements in safety and our attempts to reduce car accidents, the figures have remained pretty steady over the last few decades. The reason why many car accidents nowadays can be just as deadly or dangerous is because people are driving faster and falling victim to mixed collisions. Mixed collisions occur when vehicles of different mass collide (e.g., an accident involving a subcompact car and truck).

Common Auto Accident Injuries

The huge problem with mixed collisions is that many safety mechanisms designed to protect drivers become worthless when a large truck or SUV impacts a small passenger car at the roof or upper levels. Before contacting a Kansas Personal Injury Lawyer, let’s look at the five common injuries that occur in motor vehicle accidents.

#1: Whiplash – Whiplash is a very common injury that can occur at even low-speed collisions. It occurs when the head and neck suddenly jerk forward and back.

#2: Lacerations—It is common for automobile accidents to cause lacerations, either from flesh hitting metal parts under the seat or if occupants impact metal surfaces at high speeds.

#3: Concussions – Because the head bounces around in an automobile accident, it is very easy to get a concussion or swelling and pressure inside the head. Serious concussions can lead to brain damage.

#4: Broken Bones – Because of the velocity, bones can snap like toothpicks. In fact, even airbags can eject with enough pressure to crack ribs.

#5: Back and Neck Problems – It is quite common for someone to suffer back and neck problems after an accident that goes beyond whiplash. Because your body is being thrown around at such a high velocity, the sensitive nerve bundles in your spine can easily be thrown out of alignment with herniated disks, sprained muscles, and nervous system damage.

What to Do If You Are Involved in An Accident

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should first contact a Kansas Collision Accident Attorney. There are a variety of moves that have to be made quickly to preserve evidence. Your Kansas Car Accident Lawyer may file a motion to preserve the “black box” found in 96 percent of automobiles. This computer recorder would have the defendant’s final impact speed to help prove fault if the auto accident was speeding-related. Other accidents are related to drugs and alcohol, something that will be easier to determine once the police arrive at the scene.

Does wearing a Seatbelt Impact My Injury Claim after a Car Accident?

While not wearing a seat belt can get you a ticket, can it also impact an injury claim if someone else causes a car accident? You should let a car accident lawyer in Kansas assess your rights. 

Kansas has strict seat belt laws to keep motorists safe. All passengers under age 18 must have safety belts buckled at all times, no matter where they ride in the car. Adults in the front seat are also required to wear safety belts. Violations are primary offenses, meaning an officer can pull you over and cite you for seat belt violations even if you are doing nothing else. 

Injuries are More Common Without Seat Belts

Research, crash analysis, and other documented information show that seat belts prevent injuries. While belted-in motorists can still suffer injuries, not wearing a seat belt can cause a person to:

• Hit the windshield
• Be ejected from the vehicle
• Hit someone else in the car
• Fly forward from the back seat into the front

The ejection risk is substantially higher without seat belts, especially in high-speed or rollover accidents. People without seat belts also have a greater chance of suffering head trauma because their bodies react freely to the impact. 

You Can Still Seek Compensation

Liability for a car accident and injuries stems from negligence. If another driver or party was negligent and caused your crash, they should be responsible for your injuries and losses. Not wearing a seat belt does not change this. After all, if you were driving without a seat belt and no accident happened, you would have no injuries. In legal terms, your injuries would not have happened “but for” the driver’s negligence and collision. 

However, liable drivers and their insurance companies can still try to limit their liability by using the seat belt argument. They might say that your injuries were much more severe because you violated seat belt laws, so they should not have to cover all your losses. For example:

• A driver ran you off the road, and your car rolled over
• You did not have a seat belt on, so you were ejected and suffered an amputation when the car rolled on top of your arm
• The insurance company claims that if you had your seat belt on, you would have remained inside the vehicle, and the amputation would not have occurred, so the company does not want to cover your amputation-related losses

The fact is that you can still recover from your injuries as long as the driver is 50 percent more responsible for your injuries than you. This is a complex legal issue called comparative negligence. You want an experienced lawyer handling your case and fighting for the compensation you deserve despite not wearing a seat belt. 

Speak with a Kansas Car Accident Attorney Today

Whether you wore a seat belt or not, Pyle Law can assist you following a car accident caused by someone else. Contact us for a free consultation. 

Contact our law firm if you are involved in a motor vehicle event. He has access to leading experts and has the litigation experience to help you reclaim your life after a car accident. Tom Pyle is a Kansas Car Accident Attorney with a proven track history of success. Although every case is different, it shows that McPherson, Kansas, Car Crash Attorney Tom Pyle, is dedicated to serving his clients. He helps injured parties obtain justice and compensation.