Auto accidents can result in various injuries to the vehicles’ occupants, and several factors can determine the severity of those injuries. However, collisions that result in ejection from the vehicle are more likely to be fatal. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an ejection accident, you should connect with a determined Chesterfield County Car Accident Lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and rights. Please continue reading to learn the most common causes of ejection accidents and what you can do to prevent them.
What Are Ejection Accidents?
Ejection accidents occur when a driver or passenger is expelled or thrown from a vehicle in a collision. Occupants may be propelled through the front windshield, a side window, a sunroof, or one of the side doors. There are two types of passenger ejections, both of which can lead to severe injuries and fatalities:
- Partial ejection: occurs when part of the occupant’s body is thrown through the windshield or window while the rest is secured in the vehicle. Essentially, the body doesn’t completely exit the car.
- Complete ejection: occurs when the impact of a collision takes the occupant out of the vehicle entirely. The occupant is thrown clear of the car due to the lack of restraint.
Although every accident has the potential to cause broken bones, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, loss of limbs, or death, these injuries are far more common in ejection accidents.
What Are Common Causes?
The most common cause of vehicle ejections is failure to wear a seat belt. Buckling up can protect you from many injuries during a crash, as it keeps you in place. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of being thrown outside the vehicle. In addition, when a car flips over after a crash (rollover), the risk of ejection is high. This is because this is a violent event in which the body is thrown upward, sideways, and forward.
While the force of impact from a crash and the failure to use a seat belt can undoubtedly result in an ejection collision, poorly manufactured or malfunctioning auto parts can, too. Unfortunately, the following mechanical issues can contribute to an ejection, including:
- Defective seatbelt
- Airbags that fail to deploy
- Malfunctioning door latches
- Weak window glass
- Weak sunroofs
- Defective windshields
As such, it’s crucial to ensure you check your seat belts, windows, and door latches regularly. Before operating your vehicle, you should check that all passengers have seat belts. To prevent an ejection accident, you should adhere to the speed limit. In most cases, a vehicle must travel at a relatively high speed for an occupant to be expelled from the car. Furthermore, you should keep a safe distance from other vehicles and avoid tailgating.
Ejection accidents often have life-altering consequences. As such, it’s in your best interest to contact the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C., who can help hold any liable parties accountable for your injuries or loved one’s untimely passing. Our legal team is prepared to fight for the justice you deserve.
