As of January 2003 it was determined that in the good ole‘ US of A, there
were approximately 12.3 million motor vehicle accidents involving over 21
million vehicles last year. This amounts to a little over one crash per second.
Let’s take a look at four of the most common of these gazillion impacts and the
typical injuries they cause.

#1. LOW SPEED IMPACTS - - ESPECIALLY REAR-ENDERS: These are crashes that are
considered to be any collision that takes place at speeds under 10 MPH. While
there is absolutely no justification to call it a “Low Speed” impact that’s what
the insurance industry loves to identify them as. Why ? Because a moniker like
that is supposed to indicate that the, “so-called impact”, you were subjected to
could not possibly have caused an injury.

It’s true that when such a crash does take place there’s often not a lot of
damage done to the motor vehicle and yet, in most cases, people involved in
these types of accidents more often than not suffer injuries - - neck injuries
especially!

Although the insurance industry would like to have those making a claim think
differently an injury can and absolutely does occur when a low impact collision
takes place. The most common is identified as the “Whiplash”. This takes place
when the occupants don’t have the slightest idea about the impending collision
so they can’t brace themselves by forcing their back and/or neck against the
seat or headrest. Because of this their body gets whipped and snapped about
something fierce.

Automobile bumpers are built to withstand up to a 5 MPH crash without damage.
This is not done to insure the safety of the occupant but rather to protect and
limit the damage to the bumpers, keeping the cost of repair to a minimum. Many
times vehicle to vehicle impacts can sustain an impact of 8 to 9 MPH before
there’s recognizable damage to the motor vehicle. However, when the bumper
doesn’t crumble and absorb the force of the impact, more of that crash is felt
by the occupants. IMMEDIATE INJURIES: The individual that’s been crashed into by
another (even at only 5 MPH) is thrown forward with a severe jerking motion - -
causing necks to snap and backs to twist. Because of this many “Soft Tissue”
styled injuries take place, including multiple body bruises, plus chest and rib
injuries. In most cases adjusters attempt to deny the possibility of injuries in
a low speed impact but research substantiates just the opposite! Sure, the motor
vehicle will show little damage but the velocity and accompanying force have to
be transferred somewhere, and that’s to those sitting in that vehicle. Cars are
built to withstand such minor impacts - - the human body is not!

#2. FRONTAL COLLISIONS: In most frontal impacts the occupant’s can generally
brace themselves because they’re usually aware of the collision they’re about to
be subjected to. In Frontal Collisions the speed and weight of the vehicle play
a role in the injuries of the occupant. (The more the vehicle crumbles at impact
the less severe the injuries to the occupants. Many times airbags will deploy).
In frontal impact collisions the speed and size of the vehicle determines the
injuries that can take place. (And - - getting back to rear-end collisions for
just a moment - - the striking vehicle not only undergoes a collapse, but
transfers momentum to the car that’s been struck by pushing it forward. The
airbag may or may not explode. This depends upon the rigidity of the vehicle
that’s been struck).

IMMEDIATE INJURIES: Head and neck, back, spine, rib and clavicle, arms and
legs, concussions, soft tissue, internal, dislocations, abrasions, cuts and
bruises.48 to 72 hours later: Headache, blurred vision, dizziness and loss of
taste, smell or hearing. Also, difficulty breathing, blood in urine or stool,
swelling, loss of motion and visualized bruising take place.

#3. SIDE IMPACT: Many times the occupants head will hit the side window and
bounce off of it. There are no air bags nor bumpers, engines, etc., to help
protect ones body or absorb the force of the impact. IMMEDIATE INJURIES: Head
and neck, arms & legs, soft tissue, dislocations, scrapes and bruises. 48 to
72 hours later: Pain, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of taste, smell
or hearing, numbness or tingling (and basically the same as those listed above)
so, at the risk of being repetitious but because it’s so important, I must say
once again: It’s of major importance that the individual exposed to impact - -
no matter how slight it may seem to have been - - should immediately be examined
by a medical professional.

#4. ROLL-OVER ACCIDENTS: The typical roll-over accident is very serious. The
most common factors in single vehicle accidents are approaching a curve at too
high a speed, leaving the pavement or highway, or over-correcting the steering
wheel - - particularly in vehicles with a short wheel base. The severity of
injuries to the occupants generally depends on the beginning velocity of speed,
the number of rolls, condition of the vehicle, and what your motor vehicle
rolled through, over and into! Damage to the vehicle is generally extensive. It
has been determined that 60% of the economic costs from roll-overs resulted from
occupant ejection, and that the initial roll-over speed was between 40 to 60
MPH. (A recent study reported that restrained occupants showed a higher
proportion of neck injuries than the unrestrained).

IMMEDIATE INJURIES: The whole nine yards - all of those as detailed above.

*******************

The bottom line (to all 4 of the above) is that in all motor vehicle
accidents - - no matter how minor the damage it’s of the greatest importance
that each and every individual immediately visit a medical professional for a
physical examination and/or consultation. So, should you find yourself at the
scene of an accident and somebody asks if you think they should see a doctor,
your answer should always be, "ABSOLUTELY " ! Stare straight into their eyeballs
and tell them, “It’s your body. There’s only one to a customer. You should do
whatever you can to take care of it and protect it”.

DISCLAIMER: This article ~ CAR ACCIDENT INSURANCE CLAIM ~ REGARDING IMPACTS
AND INJURIES is intended for background information on Car Insurance accident claims only. Its
purpose is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process.
Neither Neither Bruce Gow  nor http://www.insurancehq.com.au
make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever NOR purports to engage in rendering
any professional or legal service, substitute for a lawyer, an insurance
adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. where such professional help is
desired IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL’ RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN IT.