In car accidents, certain injuries are more common, even though the circumstances of every crash are unique. From whiplash to spinal cord injuries, it only takes seconds to suffer a life-altering injury.
You can do your part by reducing your risk of a collision; however, sometimes, there’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop it from happening. Despite this, there are a few things you can do to prevent injuries in the event of a crash.
Wear Your Seatbelt Properly
It’s not just a catchy slogan – seatbelts really do help save lives and can offer you the best protection. You need to ensure the lap portion is across your lap rather than your abdomen, while the shoulder portion should go across your upper torso and shoulder. It should never be on your neck. Adjust your seat position and seatbelt accordingly, and if you have children, make sure their child safety seats are installed and used correctly.
Adjust Your Headrest
The top of your headrest should always be level with the top of your head. Additionally, keep the distance from the headrest to the back of your head short. Go a step further and make sure it is locked into position after realigning it.
Move Seats Back If Possible
Airbags are a great safety feature, but they can cause injuries when they are deployed. Move the driver’s seat back so that you are 10 inches away from the steering wheel to give the airbag plenty of room if there’s a crash. As a passenger, never put your feet up on the dashboard to avoid airbag injuries to your legs.
Now that you know more about how to prevent injuries by making a few adjustments, here are the most common injuries and how the preventative measures can help.
Whiplash
In a crash, it’s common for the head and neck to be suddenly and violently jolted forward, then backward, which can cause muscle, ligament, and nerve damage in the neck. If you adjust your headrest and wear your seatbelt, you’ll have a better chance of preventing this injury.
Cuts, Bruises, and Broken Bones
Your seatbelt will help you avoid many cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Securing loose items in your car and keeping the windows closed also reduces your risk.
Head and Spinal Cord Injuries
You should wear your seatbelt to avoid mild concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries that can cause paralysis. Don’t forget to make sure your children are buckled up safely too.
Ideally, the best way to avoid serious car accident injuries is to drive safely and adjust your seat, headrest, and seatbelt. It won’t always prevent a crash, but it will minimize the chances of you and any passengers from having injuries.
If you are hurt in a car accident, make sure you get prompt medical treatment for your injuries. You can explore further by clicking here.