While airbags and seatbelts are amazing safety tools, they may not be able to mitigate injury completely in the event of an accident. Generally, when seatbelts and airbags hit their limit, the driver will collide with the steering wheel first. Due to the speed of the crash or improper positioning within the car, this may lead to various steering wheel injuries, which can cause great pain and sometimes lasting consequences.
An experienced personal injury lawyer from Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer can help if you or a loved one sustained a steering wheel injury in an accident. Consider scheduling a consultation with an attorney who is devoted to helping you move forward by calling (802) 457-4848.
Most Common Steering Wheel Injuries
Although every accident is unpredictable in its way and injuries will vary depending on the severity of the crash, several common injuries can result from a collision with a steering wheel. These injuries can range from mild bruising to something more severe, like a traumatic brain injury.
Head Injuries
Depending on the driver’s position in the vehicle, the head is often what takes the most damage in the event of a steering wheel injury. This could express itself as facial injuries, bruising, dental injuries, or damage to the eyes. These injuries can often be mitigated by the presence of an airbag and proper seatbelt usage, but even this may not fully prevent such an injury.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Similar to head injuries, though often more severe, those in an accident may suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is often caused by the collision of the brain against the hard tissue of the skull, or even a fracture of the skull itself. Effects of traumatic brain injuries can range from moderate discomfort to permanent damage.
Traumatic brain injuries are often separated into open-head and closed-head injuries, and either can be a factor in steering wheel injuries. Closed head injuries can include concussions, contusions, hemorrhaging, and several others. Open head injuries generally occur when a foreign object has pierced through the skull and entered the brain. This can include debris from the accident such as glass or metal, as well as fragments of bone from a fractured skull.
Broken Bones
Steering wheel injuries may often involve broken bones, specifically the wrists. Depending on the way the driver grips the wheel, the impact of the crash may pin the wrists between the immobile steering wheel and the weight of the body reacting to the crash. This momentum may lead to fractured wrist bones, though other broken bones may also be a possibility.
Soft Tissue
Another common occurrence in steering wheel injuries is soft tissue damage. The body’s soft tissues generally include muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. In a car accident, muscles can be strained or torn, and ligaments can also be stretched beyond their capacity. In addition to this, many people also experience whiplash from the sudden change in acceleration, which is also considered a soft tissue injury. These soft tissue injuries may express themselves in ways such as neck pain.
Thoracic Injuries
In the event of an accident, many individuals also experience thoracic injuries. The majority of thoracic injuries are caused by car accidents, so much so that thoracic injuries are often called “the steering wheel injury.” This can include blunt force and piercing injuries, which may lead to broken ribs, internal bleeding, or open wounds caused by piercing from objects between the thorax and the steering wheel.
For more information on the varying steering wheel injuries and potential compensation, consider speaking with an experienced Vermont, New Hamshire, and Florida personal injury attorney from Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer.
Causes of Steering Wheel Injuries
Steering wheel injuries generally have a handful of causes, mostly related to the driver’s collision with the steering wheel. However, depending on the position of the driver in the car as well as the intensity of the crash, there may be differing injuries.
Sitting Too Close to the Wheel
While it may seem innocuous, sitting too close to the steering wheel can be a cause of severe injury. Airbags deploy quickly and forcefully, and if the driver collides with the airbag while it is still inflating, this may actually cause more harm to the driver than impact against the steering wheel. Sitting too close to the wheel may cause various steering wheel injuries.
Position Within the Vehicle
The position of the driver’s body within the vehicle may also have an effect on the injuries sustained in the crash. The position of arms, legs, and other body parts may change what parts of the body collide with the steering wheel. For example, if the driver’s arm is between their body and the wheel, they may be caught in between and injured.
Front-End Collisions
In the event of a front-end collision, the driver’s head may be thrown forward by the impact. This can lead to many different steering wheel injuries. The most common among these is whiplash from the sudden motion, but this can also result in the head colliding with the steering wheel, which can cause any number of injuries.
Back-End Collisions
Similar to front-end collisions, back-end collisions can also throw a driver’s head forward, leading to impact against the steering wheel. The jolt and sudden acceleration of the car may strain muscles or tear ligaments.
Failure to Wear Seatbelt
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claims that, when the driver fails to wear a seatbelt properly, this can lead to injury from the airbag itself. The rapid inflation and subsequent deflation of the airbag work in tandem with the restraining force of the seat belt to cushion the blow. However, without the seatbelt, the airbag may actually cause injury to the driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are several frequently asked questions regarding steering wheel injuries.
When Should I See a Doctor for a Suspected Steering Wheel Injury?
Seeking medical attention immediately after injury, especially if one’s head or body collided with the steering wheel, is advisable. Ensuring prompt and effective medical care can help avoid further damage and may be a factor in legal compensation for injury.
Who Is Liable For My Steering Wheel Injury?
Generally speaking, most steering wheel injuries are a result of negligence on the part of one or more drivers. However, if there is a mechanical failure in the vehicle that leads to injury, the manufacturer may also be held liable.
Contact a Vermont, New Hamshire, and Florida Personal Injury Attorney
Car accidents are traumatic experiences, especially when injuries are involved. Determining who is at fault and who may be liable can be a difficult task when there is financial burden and anxiety involved. When it comes to steering wheel injuries, which can range from mild to severe, it can be beneficial to seek legal counsel to determine what legal compensation is in order. An experienced personal injury attorney from Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer can help explain the legal complexities in detail. Consider scheduling an appointment by calling (802) 457-4848.