Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death across the United States. Anytime an accident occurs it can result in extensive property damage, injury, and even death. Ejection accidents are one of the most dangerous types of accidents as they increase the risk of serious injury or death. If you have sustained injuries in an ejection accident, acquire the services of a skilled San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer for help during your claim or lawsuit.
What is an Ejection Accident and How Do They Happen?
An ejection accident is one where the driver or a passenger is thrown from the car due to the crash. Whether a passenger is forced through the front windshield or a window, the accident’s impact drives them out of the vehicle. This can cause further bodily injury. Ejections can happen from any type of accident, but the most common accidents that result in a passenger being thrown from the vehicle are:
- Single vehicle accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Vehicle rollovers
When the front of a vehicle hits an object like a telephone pole or guard rail, the driver or front seat passenger can be forced out of the windshield from the impact. This is especially true if the glass of the windshield shattered during the collision.
Rear-end collisions are common types of accidents that cause ejections for both the car in front and behind. Depending on the speed of the car that hits the other from behind, the passengers of the car in front could be thrown through the front of the car due to the force of impact. After the collision, the car from behind will likely stop moving, but the passengers’ bodies will continue forward, potentially going through the windshield.
If the vehicle rolls after a collision there is a higher chance that the passengers will be ejected. This type of accident can cause the windows, sunroof, and windshield glass to shatter and cause a weak roof or doors to cave in.
The following factors can contribute to the likelihood of being ejected from the vehicle during the accident.
- How fast each car was driving
- If each passenger’s seatbelt was fastened
- If the seatbelts or airbags were functioning properly
- If the car’s maintenance was up to date
What Injuries Are Caused by Ejection Accidents?
Any injury that you can get because of a standard car accident you can get during an ejection accident. Ejection accidents tend to exacerbate the injuries because not only are you going to be potentially injured from the crash itself, but you are going to be potentially injured from being thrown and falling somewhere else. Below is a list of injuries that can be sustained after an ejection accident.
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Road burn
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
