What Actually Happens to Your Body During an Accident

Every year, over 2.3 million people are injured due to car accidents. During a car accident, your body can be shaken violently resulting in catastrophic damages and injuries. Some of the most common injuries include head and neck trauma, broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, and internal injuries. 

Our team at Impact Med Sun City Center explains what actually happens to your body when you are involved in a car accident. 

Rush of Adrenaline 

Often one of the first things to happen to your body during a serious car accident is a release of adrenaline. 

Adrenaline is a hormone that is released during times of high stress and prepares your body for a “fight or flight.”

Adrenaline can affect your body during a car accident in many ways including:

• Increased energy
• Feeling less or no pain
• Increased awareness or heightened senses
• Rapid heart rate
• More stamina
• Dilated pupils

While this rush of adrenaline can be helpful immediately following a car accident, it can also be a bit deceptive, especially if you are seriously injured. Adrenaline masks the feelings of pain, so you might not realize the severity of your injuries right after the accident. 

This is why it is crucial to seek medical attention after an accident, even if you don’t feel any pain. Car accident injuries may not be felt until days later, and by the time you realize it, the benefits from your insurance company might have lapsed. 

What Happens During a Head-On Collision? 

If you get hit by a car in a head-on collision, you will likely sustain catastrophic injuries. When your car is moving at a certain speed, your body is also traveling at the same speed. So for example, if you are driving 70 mph, your body is also moving just as fast. 

In a head-on collision, both you and your car decelerate abruptly from 70 to 0 in a matter of seconds. This deceleration results in a transfer of energy that is shared between the occupants of the car and the car itself. This energy transfer causes damages and severe injuries to those involved.

In terms of injuries, here is what might happen to our bodies in a head-on collision:

With a Seatbelt 

A seatbelt will prevent you from smashing into the steering wheel or through the windshield. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t sustain injuries. 

Common injuries sustained when wearing a seatbelt include:

• Broken collar bone
• Broken ribs
• Collapsed lung
• Internal injuries

Without a Seatbelt 

Choosing to not wear a seatbelt can result in catastrophic injury and death. Since there won’t be a seatbelt to restrain you during the force of the accident, your kinetic energy will continue to move forward until you hit either the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield. In the worst case, you could be ejected from the car entirely. 

Wear your seatbelt! 

What Happens During a Read-End Collision? 

During a read-end accident, your vehicle will absorb most of the energy, but one of the most vulnerable parts of your body that can be injured in this kind of accident is your head. 

Upon impact, your head will snap violently backward and can result in several neck or head injuries including:

• A concussion
• Whiplash 
• Soft tissue damage to the tendons, ligaments, or muscles. 
• Herniated discs 
• Compression fractures

What Happens During a T-Bone Collision? 

Side impact or T-bone collisions are one of the deadliest types of accidents, even at low speeds. 

When you are hit on the side, there is only a thin car door to protect you from injury, and unless your car has side airbags, there isn’t much to absorb the energy from the impact. During a T-bone accident, your body could be crushed on impact. 

If you are involved in a T-bone accident, some injuries could include: 

• Crushed body parts
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones
• Thorax, pelvis, and upper body injuries
• Neck and spinal injuries
• Head or brain injuries 

Post-Accident Medical Care 

As you can see, the chances of sustaining an injury when you are involved in an accident are many. Depending on the severity of the accident and the speeds involved, you can sustain catastrophic and even fatal injuries. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, don’t wait. Seek medical care immediately so you can begin the road to recovery. 

Call Impact Med Sun City Center for an appointment today; 813-938-5195! We will help you heal!