In an accident, it is the impact that causes your injuries. There are multiple types of impacts and implications of different impacts in a crash.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains that there are three impacts that you experience in a crash. In addition, the point of impact plays an important role in the severity and type of injuries that may occur.
Three impacts
The first impact in a crash is when your vehicle hits another vehicle or object. This impact will send your body forward.
The second impact is when your car comes to a complete stop. This will send your body backward. The first and second impacts are basic physics where your body moves according to the laws of motion. Your vehicle’s safety features, such as airbags and seat belts, help to minimize injuries during these impacts.
The third impact is when your internal organs crash against your bones and other body structures. This is often the most damaging impact and causes the most severe injuries.
Point of impact
Rear-end accidents put you at a higher risk for spine fractures and for flexion and extension injuries in the neck. Front impacts will generally lead to more injuries involving your collision with the dashboard and steering wheel.
T-bone crashes will increase the risks for skull, neck, pelvis and clavicle fractures for those sitting on the side of contact. In any type of accident, whoever sits closest to the point of imact will suffer the most severe injuries due to the transfer of energy that occurs and the increased chances of direct impacts with vehicle structures.
