Occupant Ejection in Automotive Collisions

When auto accidents in Arizona occur, the danger involved with them arises in several different ways. Clearly, the initial impact that involves the smashing, bending and shredding of metal creates instant danger to anyone inside a vehicle thats going through that type of contortion, but there is also an extreme danger regarding occupant ejection. Occupant ejections almost always lead to serious personal injuries and fatalities, and there are many reasons why they occur.

Below youll find information regarding examples of common causes of occupant ejections in AZ auto accidents, examples of common types of injuries and causes of death that result from these occupant ejections and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been harmed in this sort of crash and need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Phoenix.

Common Causes of Occupant Ejections in Arizona Auto Accidents

While almost any Arizona car accident could lead to the ejection of an occupant, there have been certain causes identified as more common than others. Below are some examples of these common causes of occupant ejections.

Seatbelt Malfunctions

Almost everyone understands that seatbelts can save lives, and estimates indicate that as many as 15,000 people every year in the United States avoid death or more serious injuries because they were wearing their seatbelts. However, seatbelts are not immune to malfunctions and product defects, and when a malfunction occurs or a defect rears its head it can lead to seatbelt malfunction and an unexpected occupant ejection. Seatbelts may be made of strong materials, but their latches are relatively simple and can fail to perform from time to time.

Rollover Crashes

Rollover crashes are deadly for many reasons, not the least of which is the tendency for occupant ejections when they occur. The type of vehicle most commonly associated with rollover crashes is the SUV, and when a rollover crash occurs it can undo the seatbelt unexpectedly and throw the occupant from the vehicle as it rolls. This is obviously extremely dangerous, as the occupant could be thrown from the vehicle at any point during the rollover and cause serious injuries or death.

Defective Door Latches

Many people feel a false sense of security in vehicles because they are surrounded by the body of the car or truck. However, these vehicle bodies are far from impervious to problems, as was most recently shown in 2005 when 300,000 models of the Ford Focus were recalled because of a defective door latch. When a door latch does not work properly, the door can open at the worst of times, including during an auto accident that causes the occupant near the door to be ejected in the process.

Weak Side Window Glass

Most auto manufacturers place a high degree of emphasis on the construction of wind shields in order to prevent them from shattering during a collision. Unfortunately, many vehicle models do not contain the same type of safety glass on their side windows. When an accident occurs, these windows can either shatter immediately or simply not be strong enough to hold the vehicles occupant in place, thereby ejecting him or her from the vehicle.

Common Injuries Resulting from Occupant Ejections in Arizona Auto Accidents

As one would expect, the types of injuries that appear to be quite common with occupant ejections in Arizona auto accidents are all quite serious if not grave in nature. The reason for this link between occupant ejections and serious injuries is obvious in that a persons body is thrown out of a vehicle at a high rate of speed and with such a high degree of force that the human body is no match for the elements it encounters. Below are some examples of two common injuries.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are a common result of occupant ejections, and many of the bones that are broken occur in dangerous areas that include the head, the neck and the back. The reason is that the occupant is generally ejected from a vehicle head-first, forcing that area of the body to bear the brunt of the force involved.

Paralysis

For the same reasons, paralysis is also a common byproduct of an occupant ejection. When the head and neck suffer severe trauma, it can severely damage the spinal cord that is the nerve center of the entire body. When this occurs, its common for the occupant to lose the ability to move his or her arms, legs or both.

How an Arizona Lawyer Can Help

If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of an occupant ejection in an Arizona auto accident, you need to take immediate action to protect your legal rights. Its likely that the injuries suffered are severe, so contact the Phoenix auto accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.