When discussing vehicle safety, people’s focus often centers on drivers and front-seat passengers. However, backseat passengers are not immune to sustaining injuries as a result of a car accident.
Despite the common belief that the backseat is inherently safer, real-world incidents highlight that backseat occupants also face significant risks, especially if proper safety measures are not followed.
The risks for backseat passengers
The backseat has historically been considered safer than the front due to its distance from the dashboard and windshield during a frontal collision. While this is true in some scenarios, modern safety features in vehicles reveal a more nuanced picture.
Advances in vehicle safety technology, like airbags and crash crumple zones, have enhanced protection for front-seat passengers, but similar innovations for the backseat have lagged. Moreover, backseat occupants often forego wearing seatbelts due to:
- Discomfort
- Complacency
- Lack of awareness about the risks involved
The absence of a seatbelt significantly increases the likelihood of severe injuries. In a collision, an unrestrained backseat passenger can become a projectile, not only injuring themselves but also endangering others in the vehicle. Additionally, side-impact collisions and rollovers can cause backseat passengers to strike windows, doors or other surfaces with considerable force.
Common injuries sustained by backseat passengers
The nature of injuries sustained by backseat passengers depends on several factors, including:
- The type of collision
- The position of the passenger
- Whether or not a seatbelt was worn
In a crash, the sudden deceleration can cause the head of a backseat passenger to snap forward or sideways, leading to:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash
Additionally, the impact of a vehicle collision can force passengers in the backseat against the seatbelt or into hard interior surfaces, resulting in:
- Bruised or fractured ribs
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
Moreover, sudden jerks or impact forces may damage the spinal cord, leading to:
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Chronic pain
Not to mention that limbs can become trapped or struck by objects, leading to fractures. Shards of glass from windows or sharp edges within the vehicle can cause deep cuts or lacerations.
Backseat passengers are not exempt from the dangers of vehicle collisions. Therefore, when seeking compensation following an accident, accident survivors should not downplay the injuries of any passenger who was in the vehicle at the time of the collision. With rigorous legal support, accident survivors can pursue adequate compensation to cover all the injuries for all vehicle occupants.