There is a misconception that riding in the back seat keeps you safer in the event of a car accident. However, if you’re in the back and the vehicle you’re in gets into a collision on a Massachusetts road, you can easily suffer injuries. These are the most common and the reasons they happen.
Whiplash
Most people think only drivers and front seat passengers suffer whiplash from motor vehicle accidents, but those in the back seat can also be impacted by this soft tissue injury. When an accident happens, a person’s head can be violently whipped forward while the rest of their body stays in place while buckled into their seat.
Rib injuries
Broken or bruised ribs are also common injuries for backseat passengers. Upon impact, the body may be violently thrust and make harsh contact with the seatbelt. Depending on the level of force, the person can be left with bruising or rib fractures and pain.
Back and spinal injuries
Backseat riders are more likely to suffer back or spinal injuries, especially when a rear-end accident occurs. Depending on the age of the vehicle and its ability to absorb the impact, a person in the back seat may be left with a significant lower back injury and damaged or even broken vertebrae.
Head and brain injuries
Head and brain injuries are common in car accident injuries. A person in the back seat can strike their head into the back of the seat in front of them or even into the window in some types of collisions. A concussion is the most common form of these injuries; although they are considered mild compared to other traumatic brain injuries, they can be serious if not promptly treated.
Drivers can keep their backseat passengers safer by ensuring they use their seatbelts. Maintaining the vehicle and putting children in proper car seats can also help.
