What Happens To Your Body In A Car Accident? A Spokane Attorney Explains
You may be a responsible driver. You obey the posted speed limit and wear your seatbelt. But an oncoming vehicle can swerve into your lane and cause a head-on collision. Or another vehicle can sideswipe you on a multi-lane road, causing you to crash. Suddenly, you have a serious injury.
An article by Student Edge breaks down the mechanics of what happens to your body in a car accident. It’s far worse than you might think.
Surviving a crash with severe injuries
The front-end structure of your vehicle, as well as your seatbelt and airbag, might save your life in a crash. However, the impact while wearing a seatbelt may cause serious injuries. These include:
- Broken collarbone: As the impact of a frontal collision propels you forward, your seatbelt will prevent you from making head contact with your steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or airbag. However, if you’re a driver, you may sustain a broken collarbone on your right side. If you’re on the passenger side, your broken collarbone will more likely occur on your left side.
- Broken ribs: If you break a collarbone due to your seatbelt, you’re likely to break a rib as well.
- Damage to lungs: A broken rib can puncture the protective layer surrounding your lungs, resulting in pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
- Damage to organ: If your seatbelt is positioned across your abdomen, the impact of a collision can cause damage to your spleen, stomach, liver, and bowel.
Frontal collisions are often survivable at low or moderate speeds. However, when you are struck in a side-impact accident (or T-bone accident), the sturdy front-end frame, seatbelt, and airbag are taken out of the equation. Unless your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, the only thing protecting you is your door.
This can result in injuries that are far more severe:
- Broken bones
- Severed limbs
- Permanent nerve damage
- Severe spinal injuries
- Head injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Paralysis
- Death
When you’re injured in a crash, Richard Lewis makes things right
The recovery process after a car accident can take a financial and emotional toll on your life. You may not be able to work and collect a paycheck. You may have to refrain from activities you enjoy. The medical procedures – X-rays, surgery, medication, physical therapy – can be expensive.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent. That’s where an experienced Spokane car accident attorney comes in. Attorney Richard Lewis can investigate the cause of your crash and fight to hold the negligent driver accountable. Contact us today to learn more.