Although auto collisions may cause injuries at any speed, high-speed car collisions are often associated with fatal or severe injuries. Due to the increased impact and force related to high-speed crashes, the human body is far more likely to sustain severe damage. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety discloses that around 26% of fatalities (9,478 deaths) in 2019 due to car collisions involved high speeds.
Several factors go into the danger of high-speed car collisions. These include:
- Not wearing proper safety restraints increases the likelihood of being ejected from a vehicle at high speeds.
- The increased time it takes to stop when braking at higher speeds makes an impact in an emergency likely.
- The increased likelihood of losing control of the car when trying to make steering corrections or avoid impact with an object at higher speeds.
- The likelihood of making a more significant impact with surrounding objects when driving at higher speeds.
Who Is Most At Risk?
When looking at death and injury statistics associated with high-speed car accidents, the following data was found:
- Young male drivers were found to speed more than any other group.
- On average, male drivers between 16-19 have around 3x more speeding violations than drivers over 30 years of age.
- In fatal crashes in 2019, 19% of fatalities included male drivers who were speeding.
- In fatal crashes reported in 2019, 12% of deaths included female drivers who were speeding.
- Drivers who are found speeding during an accident decrease as the age group increases.
High-Speed Accident
Injuries From High-Speed Car Accidents
Several types of injuries often present when involved in a high-speed car collision. Below find some of the most common car accident injuries from high-speed car accidents:
Airbag Or Seat Belt Injuries
Although seat belts and airbags have saved countless lives, they may also become a source of injury, especially with heavy impact. The faster you are thrown forward into your seat belt or airbag, the more significant chance of injury. Seat belt injuries may leave lacerations, bruises, lead to broken bones, or in some instances, even decapitation. Similarly, airbags may lead to broken noses, eye injuries, bruising, and more. However, studies have shown us that the benefits of using these safety protection devices outweigh the risks. The Center for Disease Control discloses that wearing a seatbelt makes you 45% less likely to incur fatal injuries and 50% less likely to incur severe injuries when involved in a car accident. The NHTSA estimates that using an airbag and seatbelt, if you become involved in a car collision, your chances of dying from an accident may be reduced by up to 61%.
Broken Bones
Broken bones may occur at any velocity but are much more likely in high-speed collisions. As a result, high-speed accident injury victims may experience severe injuries such as broken hips, spine, skulls, legs, and more. Severe breaks may lead to permanent injury, disability, or death.
Brain Injuries
In many car accidents involving high-speed impacts, obtaining a concussion or traumatic brain injury is very common. If a driver or passenger hits their head on the windshield, car roof, debris, or another object, their brain can be jostled or penetrated. Keep in mind that not all brain injuries may present with symptoms right away. Symptoms may appear days after the accident. While it is pertinent to receive medical treatment right away following a car accident to be appropriately evaluated for injury, some common signs and symptoms of TBI include:
- Headache
- Difficulty speaking, walking, or performing everyday activities.
- Trouble with memory
- Confusion
- And more
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of these symptoms following a car accident. While some people may be able to make a full recovery from a TBI with rest and rehabilitation, many may become permanently disabled or may not survive their injuries. In addition, recovery from TBIs may require intensive care and can be timely and expensive. A car accident attorney may assist you in ensuring that you receive adequate compensation from the responsible party for necessary treatment.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
After a high-speed auto accident, a driver or passenger may incur whiplash or other soft tissue injuries, even without impact. Unfortunately, when it comes to whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, you may not experience symptoms immediately, especially after the adrenaline rush following an accident. Therefore, it is best to seek a medical evaluation after an accident, even if you do not experience any symptoms directly.
Internal Injuries
Upon the impact related to a high-speed crash, damage can occur to your internal organs from seatbelts, ejection from a vehicle, or the car collapsing. Internal bleeding will often require surgery. In severe cases, if a victim’s organ(s) is severely damaged, it is unlikely that they will survive.
Car Accidents Due to Speeding
What Should You Do After A High-Speed Car Crash?
If you are involved in a high-speed crash, you should call 9-1-1 immediately. Even if you don’t think you are hurt, you should seek medical evaluation immediately. If possible, try to move your car out of the roadway or turn your emergency blinkers on to warn other vehicles. If you can, take pictures of the accident scene and see if there were any witnesses. If no severe injuries were incurred, exchange personal information and insurance information. After receiving medical treatment, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away to explore your legal options by receiving your free consultation.
Recovering After a High-Speed Car Accident
Treatment expenses and lost wages can escalate quickly if you have been injured in a high-speed car accident. You have a right to pursue damages from the at-fault party if they were driving negligently. If a driver was driving above the speed limit or at an unreasonable speed due to travel conditions (such as inclement weather), they might have acted negligently. An attorney can help you establish fault in your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Attorney
At Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we understand the pains and difficulties associated with a severe accident. If you or a loved one have become injured due to another driver’s negligence, we may be able to assist you with recovering lost income, medical expenses, compensation for your pain and suffering, and help bring you peace of mind. Contact us today by calling (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online to receive your free and confidential case evaluation.
