A car accident can generate a tremendous amount of force, even if it occurs at low speed. Oftentimes, a driver will be launched forward very suddenly. Air bags are designed to absorb some of the force of a crash, but they aren’t full proof.
A steering wheel is one of the most prominent features in the front of a car, and it is also very close to the driver. This means that it’s very likely the driver will collide with it during a crash. Unfortunately, this can result in some severe injuries.
Facial fractures
Depending on the height of the steering wheel and the placement of the driver, their face may make contact with the steering wheel during a collision. This kind of impact exposes fragile areas of the face, such as the nose, to serious injuries. In a high-speed accident, it’s also possible that the driver may suffer head injuries and orbital fractures.
Chest injuries
Oftentimes, the steering wheel will collide with the torso, and the chest area in particular. The rib cage is placed in this part of the body to protect vital organs such as the lungs and heart. Even when the rib cage does this successfully, it can still be fractured. Rib fractures are notoriously painful and the recovery period can be extensive. A more serious issue occurs when the rib cage is penetrated and damage is done to the internal organs. Any type of internal bleeding or organ damage has the potential to be life threatening. Thus, it’s important that drivers are thoroughly checked over after a crash.
If you have recently been injured in a road traffic collision, then you probably aren’t going to be able to earn income for a while. If your accident was caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.