When two motor vehicles collide, several rapid and complex events unfold. Initially, the vehicles make contact, causing deformation at the impact site. Modern vehicles are designed with crumple zones that absorb the energy of the impact to protect the occupants. The force of the collision is then distributed throughout the vehicles, with the areas closest to the point of impact experiencing the highest forces. As the kinetic energy of the moving vehicles converts into heat, sound, and deformation, the structures of the vehicles continue to crumple and bend.
Occupants inside the vehicles continue moving at the vehicle's pre-collision speed due to inertia until they are restrained by seat belts, airbags, or the vehicle interior. The deployment of airbags and the tightening of seat belts play a crucial role in restraining occupants and reducing the risk of injury. Despite these safety features, occupants and loose objects inside the vehicles may experience secondary collisions within the vehicle interior, which can result in additional injuries.
There are actually 3 types of collisions in a car crash. In the third stage of the collision, internal organs collide with other parts of the body, including other organs and bones.
As always, if you need an experienced car accident and personal injury attorney to help you with your motor vehicle accident claim, please call SJW for a FREE consultation. We can be reached today at (702) 291-8007 or by emailing us! Our proven track record of getting results for our clients speaks for itself.
How Many Collisions Occur in a Crash?
In almost every serious motor vehicle accident, three related collisions happen one after another in just a fraction of a second. Understanding these three types of collisions helps explain the different injuries that can happen in a car accident in Nevada or elsewhere. What are the three stages of a collision?
The three stages of a collision include:
- Vehicle Collision: This is the first impact, when the car, truck, or SUV hits another vehicle, a fixed object, or the roadway. The vehicle structure crumples and deforms. (Its crumple zones are designed to soak up as much crash energy as possible before it reaches the people inside.)
- Human Collision: Even though the vehicle has started to slow down, the people and loose objects inside keep moving at the same speed the vehicle was traveling right before the crash. Occupants slam into the seat belt, airbag, headrest, steering wheel, dashboard, windows, or other parts of the interior. If someone is unrestrained, they can be thrown into other passengers or even ejected from the vehicle through the windows.
- Internal Collision: Even after the outside of the body has been stopped by the seat belt, airbag, or interior, the organs inside the body are still moving. The brain can hit the inside of the skull. Organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen can strike the ribs or other organs. This “hidden” internal collision is why people sometimes appear fine at the scene, but later turn out to have life-threatening injuries such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury.
3 Types of Collisions in a Car Crash
1. The 1st Collision: Vehicle Collision
Imagine you're driving, and another car suddenly pulls out in front of you. You hit the brakes, but it's too late, and your car crashes into the side of the other vehicle. This is a vehicle collision.
The force of the crash transfers kinetic energy, making your car slow down very quickly. How bad the impact is depends on how fast you are going, how heavy your vehicle is, the angle at which you hit the other car, and how strong your car's structure is. For example, if you were driving at 40 mph, the impact would be much more severe than if you were driving at 20 mph.
Common Injuries:
- Head Injuries: These include concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Back Injuries: You could suffer from spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, or fractures.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash and injuries to the cervical spine are common.
Safety Measures:
Here are some built-in safety features in cars that help protect you during a crash:
- Crumple Zones: are specific areas designed to absorb crash energy by deforming on impact.
- Located at the front and rear ends of your car
- Front bumper and engine bay protect in head-on collisions
- Trunk area protects in rear-end collisions
- Airbags: inflate quickly during a crash to cushion and protect you.
- Installed in the steering wheel, dashboard, and sometimes the sides
- Protect your head and chest
- Work with seat belts for better protection
- Seat Belts: Keep occupants securely in place, preventing them from being thrown around inside the vehicle.
- Lock in place during a sudden stop or collision
- Hold you firmly in your seat to minimize injury
2. The 2nd Collision: Human Collision
When your car stops suddenly after hitting another vehicle, your body keeps moving forward at the same speed your car was going. For example, if you crash into another car, you might hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield because your body is still moving. This is called the human collision. Airbags can reduce these forces in certain crashes, but these forces can still be severe and, unfortunately, often deadly.
Common Injuries:
- Whiplash: Caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck.
- Facial Injuries: Cuts, bruises, and fractures from hitting the dashboard or windshield.
- Collarbone Injuries: Fractures from the force of the seat belt.
Safety Tips:
- Proper Use of Seat Belts: Ensure that seat belts are worn correctly to distribute the forces of the collision across the stronger parts of the body.
- Correct Seating Positions: Sit upright with the seat belt snugly fastened.
- Securing Loose Objects: Prevent objects from becoming projectiles during a crash.
3. The 3rd Collision: Internal Collision
The internal collision happens inside your body. After your body hits the steering wheel or dashboard (the human collision), your internal organs keep moving. For instance, your brain might hit your skull, or your heart and lungs might collide with your ribcage. This movement causes the internal collision.
Common Injuries:
- Internal Bleeding: Caused by the tearing of blood vessels.
- Organ Damage: Injuries to the liver, spleen, heart, or other organs.
- Brain Injuries: Resulting from the brain hitting the inside of the skull.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately:
- Call Emergency Services: Even if you don’t feel hurt, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Internal injuries might not show symptoms right away but can be life-threatening.
- Get a Full Medical Check-Up: Request a thorough examination, including scans and X-rays, to detect any internal injuries early.
- Watch for Pain and Discomfort: Be alert for signs of pain, swelling, or discomfort in your abdomen, chest, or head, which could indicate internal injuries from the impact.
- Look for Signs of Shock: Symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or cold, as well as clammy skin, can be signs of internal bleeding and require immediate medical attention.
Car Accident Case Settlements in Nevada
$235,000 Gross Settlement - Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)
A driver collided with our client’s vehicle at a high rate of speed after running a stop sign. Our client suffered injuries to his knee, neck, and back, as well as a concussion.
$200,000 Gross Settlement - Rear-Ended in Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)
Our client was rear-ended. The impact of the collision pushed her vehicle into a stopped vehicle, creating a three-car accident. Our client suffered injuries to her head, cervical, left shoulder, and right knee.
Technological Advancements in Collision Prevention
Modern vehicles come equipped with advanced safety features designed to prevent car accidents and reduce the severity of collisions that happen. These technologies help mitigate the three types of collisions that occur in a crash: the vehicle collision, the human collision, and the internal collision. Here are some key advancements that can help prevent motor vehicle accidents and personal injury:
1. Lane Departure Warnings
- Function: Alerts drivers when they unintentionally drift out of their lane.
- Benefits: Helps prevent side-swipe collisions and keeps the vehicle safely within its lane, especially useful on highways. This feature can significantly reduce the risk of a vehicle accident by ensuring the vehicle’s forward motion remains controlled.
2. Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Function: Detects vehicles in the driver's blind spots and provides visual or auditory alerts.
- Benefits: Reduces the risk of collisions when changing lanes by making drivers aware of unseen vehicles. This helps avoid crashes that involve three types of collisions where an occupant could be injured.
3. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Function: Automatically applies the brakes when a potential collision is detected.
- Benefits: Can prevent or mitigate rear-end collisions by stopping the car if the driver does not react in time. This technology absorbs kinetic energy, reducing the severity of the crash.
4. Adaptive Cruise Control
- Function: Adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead.
- Benefits: Reduces driver fatigue on long trips and helps maintain a safe driving distance in varying traffic conditions. This can prevent a motor vehicle crash by keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.
5. Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Function: Warns drivers of an impending collision with a vehicle or object directly ahead.
- Benefits: Provides critical time for the driver to react and avoid an accident, thereby preventing the vehicle collision, which is the first collision in a crash.
6. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Function: Alerts drivers to approaching traffic from the sides when backing out of parking spaces.
- Benefits: Helps prevent collisions in parking lots and driveways by detecting vehicles that might not be visible to the driver, reducing the chances of a vehicle crash.
7. Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Function: Helps prevent loss of traction and skidding by adjusting engine power and applying brakes to individual wheels.
- Benefits: Enhances vehicle stability in slippery conditions and sharp turns, reducing the risk of rollovers and skids, which are common in motor vehicle accidents.
8. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- Function: Integrates multiple safety features like lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and driver drowsiness detection.
- Benefits: Provides a comprehensive safety net by combining various technologies to assist the driver and prevent accidents, minimizing the chances of injury or death.
9. Night Vision Assist
- Function: Uses infrared sensors to detect pedestrians, animals, and other obstacles in low-light conditions.
- Benefits: Enhances driver visibility at night, reducing the risk of collisions in poorly lit areas, which can lead to serious internal injuries.
10. 360-Degree Camera Systems
- Function: Provides a bird's-eye view of the vehicle's surroundings.
- Benefits: Assists with parking and maneuvering in tight spaces by giving a complete view of obstacles around the vehicle, preventing minor accidents that can still cause significant injuries.
These advanced safety features are becoming increasingly common in modern vehicles, offering drivers and passengers enhanced protection and reducing the likelihood of collisions. Investing in a car with these technologies can significantly improve safety on the road and help prevent the three collisions that happen in every crash: the vehicle collision, the human collision, and the internal collision. These measures not only help avoid accidents but also mitigate the impact when a crash involves three types of collisions, ensuring the safety of the occupants.
Legal and Medical Steps To Take After a Car Accident
- Ensure Everyone’s Safety
- Call Emergency Services
- Seek Medical Attention if Needed
- Exchange Information
- Document the Scene
- Notify Your Insurance Company
- File or Obtain Your Police Report
- Consult an Experienced Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
For more detailed information on what to do after a motor vehicle crash, consult our full guide on what you should do after being in a car accident.
Get a Free Consultation-Contact SJW Car Accident & Injury Attorneys
If you or someone you know has been affected by a car accident, it's important to consult with a lawyer to understand your rights and pursue compensation if necessary.
Contact SJW Car Accident & Injury Attorneys for legal support following an accident. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers offer FREE case evaluations and legal consultations to injury victims in Nevada. To learn more about your rights and options after an accident, call us at (702) 291-8007 or email us today.
Sources:
- Montana Department of Transportation (Three Deadly Collisions PDF) https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:db929e03-305c-4d93-a0ca-08101185ec59
- Characteristics of Crash Injuries Among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Drivers: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810857
- Frequency of Injuries in Multiple Impact Crashes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217534/
