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.
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 Actually Happen in Most Crashes?
Many car crashes involve three types of collisions:
- Vehicle Collision: This is when the car hits another object, like another car or a tree.
- Human Collision: This happens when the people inside the car hit something inside the car, like the dashboard or seats.
- Internal Collision: This is when the organs inside your body move and hit other parts of your body.
Understanding these three types of collisions helps explain the different injuries that can happen in a car accident in Nevada or elsewhere.
For Most Nevada Motor Vehicle Accidents the Three Stages of a Collision Include:
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.
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 an 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.
The Three Stages of a Collision 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://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:7543d306-4700-47e6-bc97-d888429f6abe
- Frequency of Injuries in Multiple Impact Crashes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217534/
