The laws of physics are very strict – and in place. One says that a moving object will continue in motion until stopped. This holds true for car crashes. When traveling at 65 miles an hour, your body is moving at the same speed as the vehicle. When the car crashes into another solid object, such as a tree or another vehicle, it will come to rest.
However, your body will continue to move, slamming into the inside of the vehicle. If you’re wearing a seat belt, and your car is equipped with an airbag, your body’s ferocious forward momentum will be stopped, preventing your head from hitting the windshield and probably saving your life. But even in the best of circumstances in a high-speed crash, your ribs will slam into the chest wall, leading to broken ribs or to a bruised heart, possibly the start of something deadly serious.
Walking away from a car crash without a scratch is a rarity
If you are side-swiped in an accident, your prognosis can be just as bad, because the height of the car or truck has the potential of causing rib fractures, broken pelvic bones, and damage to internal organs, including the liver and lungs. If rear-ended, your neck often is yanked backwards with the same force as the impact and then recoils in a forward motion. The backward/forward movement stretches the muscles, ligament and tendons in the neck beyond their limits and can cause whiplash.
At the moment of a vehicle crash, a large amount of kinetic energy – called g-force (for gravitational force) can be unleashed at levels equivalent to many tons. Beyond 50 Gs, the risk of serious injuries or death is significant.
Do not hesitate to get legal advice in case of an accident
We all know accidents happen – especially in cars – suddenly. In 2017, more than 40,000 people were killed in car accidents, according to the National Safety Council.
But that doesn’t count the catastrophic accidents that change lives forever: brain injuries, spinal cord damage, vision loss, pain, disfigurement, and disability, all of which can negatively impact a victim’s quality of life and earning capacity.
To do what you can:
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Always follow the speed limit.
- Keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while driving.
- Scan at least 10 to 12 seconds ahead while on highway.
- Make sure headrests are adjusted properly.
- Never tailgate.
If you need a personal injury attorney in a time of need in Arkansas, look no further than the McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Our law firm has more than 50 years of experience helping injured motorists obtain compensation. Contact us today to learn more.
