There are many types of injuries that are sustained by Georgia car accident victims. Injuries can range from cuts and bruises to whiplash and broken bones to serious spine injuries, head injuries and internal injuries. The factors that determine the injuries that an accident victim will sustain, include speed, safety equipment, whether or not the victim was wearing a seat belt, the type of vehicle, whether there are loose objects in the vehicle, and, especially, the type of collision.
There are five basic types of vehicle collisions: head-on, rear-end, side-impact, rollover and rotational impact. Each type of collision is associated with a different pattern of injury.
Head-on collisions
Head-on collisions have the potential to cause injury to many parts of the body. In head on-collisions the victim is either thrown “up-and-over” or “down-and-under” the steering wheel. The types of injuries sustained depend on the path the victim’s body takes at the time of the collision.
“Up-and-over” injuries
In these collisions, the victim commonly strikes his head on the windshield and may hit his chest and abdomen on the steering wheel. The injuries will be more severe if the victim is not wearing a seat belt.
Injuries may include:
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cuts
- Contusions
- Neck injuries
- Chest injuries
- Breathing problems
- Internal organ injuries
“Down-and-under” injuries
In these accidents, the victim typically strikes his knees on the dashboard. The force of the collision can cause knee, leg and hip injuries including broken bones.
Rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions often result in a jerking to the body. The head remains still, but the body, which is in contact with the back of the car seat, is jerked by the force of the collision on the car. The jerking motion often causes neck injuries, including whiplash, and head injuries. After the head is jerked back, it may be pushed forward causing further neck and head injuries, as well as chest injuries, as the body crashes into the steering wheel and the front of the vehicle.
Side-impact collisions
Side-impact collisions include those where the vehicle is broadsided or T-boned. In these collisions, the head remains still as the body is pushed to the side. This often results in neck injuries. The head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and thighs may be struck directly, resulting in broken bones, internal injuries, head injuries, and spinal injuries.
Roll-over collisions
Roll-over accidents are very serious because there is the potential for multiple impacts of the victim inside the vehicle. Multiple injuries and injury types are likely. Often, anyone not wearing a seat belt is ejected from the vehicle. If there are loose objects in the vehicle, they may strike the victim causing more injury.
Rotational impact collisions
These types of accidents involve cars that are struck by another vehicle and then spin out from the force of the collision. The spinning may result in additional impacts as the vehicle strikes other cars, trees, fences or buildings and as objects inside the vehicle strike the victim. As in rollovers, these collisions are very dangerous and many types of injuries are possible.
Injuries suffered in car accidents can be very severe. Accidents may lead to permanent disabilities that change lives - not just for the victim, but for the whole family.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Atlanta-area car wreck, the insurance companies will try to pressure you into making decisions quickly. Before settling with the insurance company, contact Attorney Shane Smith. We can give you the information you need to do what’s best for you and your family.