Sitting in the front of a vehicle may be safer than sitting in the rear of a vehicle during a head-on collision in Oklahoma. This is according to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). According to the IIHS report, those who sit in the rear of a car generally don’t benefit from safety features such as multiple airbags or safety belts that automatically tighten prior to impact.
Head and chest injuries are common among backseat victims
If you are sitting in the back of a car, truck or van when a crash occurs, you are most likely to experience injuries such as a concussion or broken ribs. Generally speaking, these injuries occur when your body makes contact with a rear console, the back of a seat or other solid surfaces. You may also experience whiplash, internal bleeding and damage to vital organs in an automobile accident.
Automakers are encouraged to make changes
The IIHS has urged car manufacturers to design their vehicles so that all occupants have access to the latest safety technology. According to the group’s report, this may reduce the number of rear passengers who are killed in car accidents. However, automakers have not been given a mandate to make any adjustments to how their vehicles are produced.
If you are hurt in a car accident, it may be in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney. He or she may be able to help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages or other damages that you incurred in the crash. Your legal adviser may use witness statements, cellphone records or a police report to prove that the wreck was caused by another person’s irresponsible behavior.
