The Three Stages of a Collision Include
A collision involves three distinct stages. These stages are the vehicle collision, the human collision, and the internal collision. A different set of effects accompanies each stage. In addition, the effects of each stage vary according to the mass and velocity of the objects in motion. Ultimately, the combination of these three stages determines the injuries resulting from a collision.
Vehicle Collision, Human Collision and Internal Collision
A collision occurs when two objects collide with each other. When two objects collide, they transfer the energy built up in each object. The amount of kinetic energy that must be dispersed depends on the mass of the objects and their speeds.
When a vehicle hits another object, the driver and passengers can be injured. The physical injury can be catastrophic. It could result in paralysis, heart attack, or even traumatic or nontraumatic cardiac arrest. In addition, physical objects can damage key blood vessels in the human body. Researchers are investigating how to reduce the risk of these injuries and how best to prevent them.
The initial stage of a collision occurs when the exterior of a vehicle collides with something. The force exerted during this phase depends on the weight of the vehicle, its speed, and its stopping speed. The higher the speed, the greater the force and potential severity of the injury. Traditional vehicles are designed to resist collision forces, but newer models are designed to absorb more force and protect the passenger compartment from damage.
After the impact, the internal part of the human body may be damaged or bruised. The impact of a vehicle can also affect internal organs, causing internal injuries. Internal organs, such as the brain, may be injured by hitting the inside of the skull. In addition, the brain may be injured if it hits a fractured portion of the skull.
The impact of two objects causes the three stages of a collision. First, the vehicle collides with an object, and the vehicle frame is crushed. Most modern cars are designed to crush well, and most of the vehicle’s kinetic energy is absorbed before reaching the human occupants.
Loose Objects Inside The Vehicle
When a vehicle is involved in a collision, the car’s occupants are at risk of injury. In addition to being hit by another car, passengers can also be struck by loose objects inside the car. If a person is not wearing a seat belt, these items can cause serious injuries to the occupants. Consequently, it is important to place loose objects inside the car in the trunk or behind the driver or passenger seat.
In an oncoming collision, the vehicle’s driver can veer into an object, absorbing energy. The driver will continue moving forward until contact is made with the object. A laptop is the most common item that is destroyed in an accident. Another common item is a water bottle. One liter of water can weigh up to 20 kilograms and pack 20 times the punch of a normal bottle.
High Deceleration Forces
High deceleration forces in a car accident can cause internal injuries. This is because the internal organs of the human body continue to move after the human body stops. These forces are so large that even an uninjured person can suffer internal damage. Because of this, a car accident can be unpredictable.
For example, imagine that a car collides with a wall. The two vehicles have the same mass, but the collision has a very different effect on the speed and trajectory of the cars. Newton’s second law states that a greater mass requires a greater force to accelerate, so the heavier the vehicle, the higher the acceleration. Also, since the two vehicles collide, the force acts on both the driver and the car simultaneously.
The car’s deceleration forces are high but not as high as in a motorcycle crash. High deceleration forces in a collision can cause injury because of the sudden changes in velocity. These forces can be minimized by using restraining technology and crumple zones. Airbags and seatbelts are two popular options for reducing the forces induced by a collision.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is true of collisions, whether they occur between vehicles at high or low speeds. If the speed difference between the two cars is small, the collision will not be nearly as serious. However, it is important to note that when the collision is at high speed, the impact force is much greater than that of a low-speed collision.
Damage to Internal Organs
Damage to internal organs after a collision can be very serious and sometimes even life-threatening. The internal injuries are often not immediately apparent and are discovered only after the accident victim is admitted to the hospital in a serious condition. The damage to these organs may be caused by blunt force trauma, resulting in long-term problems or even death.
Symptoms of an internal injury may not be apparent at the time of the collision, as the victim may be in shock or be filled with adrenaline. As a result, the victim may report little pain to paramedics but later feel much pain. They may also experience light-headedness, cramps, nausea, and fatigue. Regardless of the onset of pain, victims should visit the doctor immediately. Internal injuries may need immediate surgery, so it’s essential to see a doctor immediately.
Damage to internal organs can occur in various locations, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, and digestive organs. Although visible injuries include deep cuts, large bruises, and compound fractures, internal organ damage is more difficult to detect. If left untreated, damage to these organs may result in life-threatening complications, including septic shock. Getting a medical evaluation after an accident is vital to ensure that the person involved in the collision is safe.
Although many internal organs will recover completely without treatment, some organs cannot. In severe collisions, one or more of these organs may be damaged to the point that the organs cannot function properly. In the case of a serious head injury, the oxygen level in the brain may drop, resulting in brain damage. This condition can also lead to other serious conditions, such as chronic pain and memory loss.
Importance of a Seat Belt
One of the most important aspects of vehicle safety is wearing a seat belt. It not only helps the wearer stay attached to the car, but it also distributes forward momentum. As a result, seat belts can reduce the severity of injuries in an accident, and they can even save lives.
The first stage of a collision occurs when the vehicle hits another vehicle or a stationary object. The impact energy is transferred to the occupant’s lower extremities, which may suffer fractures and dislocations. Some injuries, like a fractured ankle or femur, may even be more severe. Other injuries may occur to the head, as they can strike the windscreen. However, seat belts also prevent the occupant’s chest from hitting the steering wheel or pelvis from overriding the femur.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts save over 13,000 lives each year. Over 2,500 of those who died in a crash could have been saved by wearing a seat belt. In addition to saving lives, seat belts can prevent injuries and amputations.
Seat belts can save lives because they keep the car’s occupants from being ejected during a collision. They also prevent serious injuries by spreading the force of an impact over a large body area. In addition to protecting the occupants, seat belts protect the neck, shoulder, and head from contact with the car’s steering wheel, dashboard, and interior parts.
The best way to get people to buckle up is by enforcing seat belt laws. Seatbelts were introduced in cars as early as the 1950s but were largely ignored until 1984 when New York became the first state to crack down on car safety. This led to a dramatic increase in seatbelt usage.
FAQ’s
What are the phases of the accident?
Pre-impact, impact, and post-impact are the three main phases of an accident that typically occur. The impact phase may also be referred to as “engagement.” It’s interesting to note, though, that not every collision has all three.
What are the three types of collisions that occur during a motor vehicle crash?
There are three types of collisions: those involving vehicles, people, and internal (organ) accidents. It’s critical to have a fundamental understanding of kinetic energy in order to comprehend the three collisions that occur in a crash. The energy stored within a moving item is known as kinetic energy.
What are the 3 types of collision and differentiate one from another?
But there are three distinct types of collisions: elastic, inelastic, and entirely inelastic. Just to be clear, in all three types of collisions, momentum is preserved. What happens to the kinetic energy during collisions makes them distinct.
What are the three 3 basic causes of accidents?
Three categories—direct cause, indirect cause, and basic cause—are used to classify event root causes. Direct causes are frequently the result of one or more risky activities, unsafe conditions, or both, and result in physical contact with an object or hazardous substance.