Kinetic energy is energy the body has simply by being in motion. When a vehicle collides with another object, such as a tree, wall or other vehicle, the energy transfers to the other object. However, the person or people in the vehicle continue to move even though the vehicle stops. Cars are made to withstand the impact of a crash, people are not.
Factors
A car crash causes the body to jolt forward suddenly. Injuries and severity of those injuries depend on different things at the point of impact. How you are sitting, the direction you are facing, and the makeup of your body are all factors to consider in a crash.
When riding in a vehicle, people should face forward, wearing their seat belt. Sitting too close to the steering wheel or dash can cause injuries to the face or other parts of the body. It is important to sit back from the dash and never rest your feet or legs on the dash as this can cause bad injuries.
The direction you are facing at the point of impact contributes to injuries. For example, a person looking towards the back of a vehicle will have different injuries than someone facing forward.
Small children should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle, especially when the airbag is on, because their bodies are not ready to withstand the blow from an airbag.
Point of Impact
The point of impact is a major factor to consider. People sitting in the passenger seat suffering injuries from a t-bone to the driver side will have different injuries than a driver in the same crash. Also, a rear-end car crash will cause people to be effected differently than a head-on collision.
After being in a car crash, try to remember which direction you were facing and where the vehicle hit the other object. If you suffer injuries in a crash, you may need to seek assistance of an attorney. It is important to explain these factors to your attorney so they can best understand your crash.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
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