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Passengers riding in the back seat risk suffering severe injuries in a car accident. This is because many backseat passengers do not wear seat belts. If you normally travel in the back seat of a car, there are some common injuries to be aware of and why they happen.
As with many accidents, the type of injury you suffer depends on many reasons, such as where the impact was felt, how fast the car traveled, and other factors. This is undoubtedly true for backseat passengers. Common car accident injuries in backseat passengers include:
- Whiplash: The most common car accident injury, whiplash can occur regardless of where you are seated. Whiplash happens when an impact causes your head to snap back and forth violently, like cracking a whip. It can lead to pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility.
- Brain injuries: A concussion is a common type of brain injury that happens if your head suffers trauma. Common concussion symptoms include headaches, nausea, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light or sound.
- Chest injuries: Chest injuries like bruised ribs or injuries to the sternum are common in backseat passengers, and they can be quite severe, possibly leading to punctured lungs and other damage to your internal organs.
- Shoulder injuries: Although wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of severe injury or death, the force a seat belt has on the body at the moment of impact can cause an injury to your shoulder, especially if it is not worn correctly. Your shoulders are also susceptible to being hit by other vehicle parts, such as the window or cabin area, leading to dislocation, a broken bone, or a shoulder tear.
- Broken or fractured bones: The sheer force felt when a traveling car impacts an object or vehicle is enough to break a bone. Your extremities are most at risk of breaking in a crash, like your hands, wrists, feet, or legs.
- Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is one of the body’s most sensitive parts and controls many aspects of daily life. A spinal cord injury is another common injury to be aware of and can lead to long-term conditions.
Why Do Backseat Passengers Suffer Serious Injuries?
With advanced vehicle technology and a better understanding of how car accidents happen, car manufacturers have made the front passenger and driver seats much safer. This has led many experts to believe that many manufacturers are lagging in rear seat safety.
Here are a few reasons why backseat passengers suffer severe injuries:
- Lack of seat belt use: Backseat passengers are less likely to use their seat belts than those sitting in the front.
- Unsafe behavior: Backseat passengers are more likely to act unsafely, such as lying down and taking a nap, refusing to wear a seat belt properly, or having too many passengers and not enough seat belts.
- Poor seat belt design: Older vehicles may not have the same seat belt technology. For instance, older models have seat belts in the back but not modern three-point belts. Older cars also do not have the same airbag technology or better impact ratings than the front of the vehicle.
- Rideshare services: With the rising popularity of rideshare services, more people are riding in the back seat, often without wearing a seat belt.
Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at D’Amato Law Firm Help Injured Passengers
If you have been injured in an accident, speak with our Atlantic City car accident lawyers at D’Amato Law Firm. Call 609-926-3300 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we serve clients in South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.