Side impact car accidents in Hialeah and other communities are among the most common traffic collisions. These accidents often occur when drivers change lanes without checking for oncoming traffic or when cars turn without checking for oncoming traffic.
Side impact accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries because passengers are less protected on their sides. The front of the dash usually has airbags to protect the passenger but the sides of the car have glass and a thin layer of metal as protection. In a side impact collision in Hialeah or another community, the glass can easily go flying and passengers may be crushed by the other car. Each year patients are rushed to ERs in Hialeah with spinal cord injuries, head injuries, cuts, and other serious injuries resulting from these types of collisions.
Car manufacturers have made a number of improvements to cars in order to minimize injuries in side impact crashes. Some cars have safety cage designs, which means that they have stiffer side and roof designs that increase the crumple zone and distribute impact of a crash so that occupants are injured less.
Another innovation in the past ten years has been the side impact airbag. By 2012, over 95% of passenger cars sold included a side impact air bag. Just like an airbag in the dash or steering wheel, this airbag inflates rapidly at impact, cushioning the occupant from the crash. While it does not increase the crumple zone, the side impact air bag prevents the passenger from hitting his or her head against the glass and metal of the door, which can help prevent head injuries. Curtain airbags provide even more protection and protect the occupant all the way to the hip while also preventing the passenger from being thrown from the car in the event of a collision.
Since side impact car accidents are so common, it makes sense to buy a car with the best side impact crash protection. If you are shopping for a new vehicle, consider a car with curtain side impact air bags as well as safety cage design. You may also wish to review the latest independent side impact crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS tests car makes and models independently for side impact safety.
In addition to buying a safe car, keep in mind that best practices can also help minimize injury if you are in a traffic accident in Hialeah or your community. Any type of car accident is more dangerous for a child than an adult, and that includes the side impact crash. Young children are more likely to be seriously injured in a crash and airbags can actually do more harm than good. If you are traveling with an infant or a young child, place them in the rear seat, in a child-appropriate and age-appropriate safety restraint. Adult passengers who are in the front of the car should wear a seat belt at all times. In combination with an air bag, these provide the best protection in the event of a crash.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the Flaxman Law Group to discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney in a free accident consultation. An attorney from the Flaxman Law Group can help you understand your rights and your best next steps of action.