When imagining a car accident, you might think of a single impact. But how many collisions occur in a crash? The reality is more complex—each car crash involves three distinct collisions. Understanding these can help victims fully grasp the extent of their injuries and pursue the compensation they deserve.
In a typical car accident, experts identify three types of collisions. The first is the vehicle collision—the initial impact between cars or with another object. Next is the human collision, where passengers are thrown against the car’s interior, striking the dashboard, windshield, or seatbelt during sudden deceleration. Lastly, the internal collision occurs when the force of the crash causes your internal organs to collide with one another. If you’ve experienced a car accident in Texas or Louisiana, Monsour Law Firm—serving Tyler, Longview, TX, and Shreveport, LA—is ready to help guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
How Many Collisions Happen in a Single Crash?
In a typical car crash, three separate collisions occur. While most people recognize the vehicle-to-vehicle impact, this is only the first event. The additional effects that follow can cause serious physical injuries, some of which may not be immediately noticeable.
Here’s a breakdown of each collision to help explain what happens in a car accident.
The First Collision: Vehicle Impact
The initial collision in a crash is the vehicle impact, which is what most people envision when thinking of a car accident. This occurs when the vehicles involved come into contact with one another, frequently causing substantial damage to the cars involved.
Common Injuries From the Vehicle Collision
While modern vehicles are designed to absorb much of the force from an impact, the damage to the car can still translate into serious injuries for passengers. Typical injuries may include:
- Whiplash.
- Fractures.
- Lacerations from shattered glass.
- Head trauma due to striking the dashboard or steering wheel.
In some cases, lesions from the vehicle crash can appear minor, but they often set off a chain reaction, leading to more severe consequences.
The Second Collision: Human Impact
The second collision happens when your body strikes the inside of the car. Even if the car is equipped with airbags and a fastened seatbelt, the human impact can still result in harsh damage.
Common Injuries From the Human Collision
They occur because, even though the car has stopped or slowed, your body continues to move at the same speed until something halts it—usually a seatbelt, dashboard, or airbag. As a result, injuries from the impact can include:
- Broken ribs from seatbelt force.
- Concussions from hitting the windshield or dashboard.
- Chest injuries from airbag deployment.
- Internal organ damage.
This phase is hazardous because many of these lesions may not be visible immediately, potentially delaying necessary medical treatment.
The Third Collision: Internal Collision
The third collision is the one most often overlooked. After your body hits the automobile’s inside, your internal organs continue moving until they collide with the bones or other structures inside your body. This is an internal collision, and it’s responsible for many hidden, life-threatening injuries.
Common Injuries From the Internal Collision
It can cause severe damage, even if it is not visible externally. Some of the most frequent injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).
- Internal bleeding.
- Organ bruising or rupture, such as the liver or spleen.
- Spinal cord injuries.
These damages can be especially dangerous because they are not always immediately apparent. In many circumstances, internal injuries require advanced imaging to diagnose and can lead to long-term health issues if left untreated. For more details on the three types of collisions, this resource offers an in-depth explanation.
How to Reduce the Risk of Injury in a Collision
While it’s impossible to prevent all injuries in a car crash, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. Wearing a seatbelt properly is the most crucial way to protect yourself from serious injuries in a collision. Additionally, verifying that your car’s airbags and safety systems function can help cushion the human impact. It’s also important to be mindful of the positioning of your body in the vehicle; for example, keeping your headrest at the proper height can reduce the risk of neck and spine injuries.
For more tips on safety in car crashes, this guide provides helpful advice on how to protect yourself in the event of an incident.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Crash?
After a car accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Understanding these categories is fundamental, as they encompass a wide range of financial and emotional losses.
- Medical expenses: This covers not only immediate medical bills but also any future costs related to your injuries. They can include ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, surgeries, or medication. Injuries such as whiplash, internal bleeding, or TBIs usually require long-term treatment.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you can claim compensation for your lost income. Additionally, if they are long-term or permanent and affect your ability to work, you may be remunerated for lost future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages address the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the incident. These damages can be significant in cases involving severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage or TBIs, which impact your quality of life.
- Property damage: This includes the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any personal property damaged in the crash, such as phones or laptops.
- Punitive damages: In cases where the at-fault driver’s behavior was reckless or negligent, the court may award punitive damages meant to punish the driver and deter similar actions in the future.
By consulting with an experienced attorney, you can ensure that all possible damages are considered in your claim, maximizing the compensation you receive. Every case is unique, and it’s essential to have legal representation to advocate on your behalf.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Tyler & Longview, TX, and Shreveport, LA, for a Free Consultation
At Monsour Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of a car accident. The complexity of a crash and the different collisions involved make it crucial to seek professional legal help. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Tyler, Longview, or Shreveport, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. We’ll help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Doug Monsour
Douglas C. Monsour, or Doug Monsour, is a trial lawyer who handles important and significant injury cases in Texas and across the nation. He is one of a handful of trial lawyers who have successfully tried multiple pharmaceutical, medical device, and mass tort product liability cases as the lead lawyer. He also vigorously represents injured oil field workers, victims of 18-wheeler wrecks, industrial accident victims, and those that have been severely burned.
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