Thousands of cars hit the road every day in Missouri. Most people will make it safely to their destinations without incident. Unfortunately, a motor vehicle accident is always a possibility. Injuries from a collision depend on factors like speed, the size of the vehicle and the point of impact. It turns out that your position in the car can also determine the type and likelihood of a traumatic injury.
Differences between the driver and passengers
Car manufacturers continue to improve vehicle safety. Airbags, anti-lock brakes and hazard-sensing technology all make car travel safer. In this regard, drivers have a slight advantage. The airbag in the steering wheel is just a little bit closer to the driver than the airbag on the passenger side. At high speeds, a few milliseconds can make a big difference. Drivers may not feel the full force of seat belt restraint at impact. As a result, they have fewer chest and abdominal injuries in an MVA.
Injury difference between the front and back seats
Passengers in the rear seat have a higher chance of sustaining head injuries. This difference may be due to a lack of safety equipment like airbags in the rear of older cars. The rear seat of many vehicles is also less adjustable than the front seats. Injuries may result from imperfect support.
In a front-end collision, everyone in the car accelerates forward suddenly. The seatbelts are there to keep you from slamming into the dashboard or the seat in front of you. However, these only work when passengers use them properly. Rear injuries may be more likely because people are less careful about buckling up in the back.
Protecting yourself from an accident
The best way to protect yourself from injuries in a car accident is to take advantage of the safety features of your vehicle. Before you go out on your next adventure, you will want to adjust the headrests for proper support. Everyone should wear a well-fitting seatbelt in the vehicle, and children should use the right car seat or booster seat. You cannot predict an accident, but you can take steps to minimize the damage.
