When you’re driving around, your steering wheel plays a very important role in keeping you on the right track. Unfortunately, during a collision, this same instrument becomes a serious hazard.
The steering wheel protrudes, which means it can be the first point of impact for various parts of your body during a crash. Outlined below are some of the more common injuries caused by steering wheels.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If injuries after a car accident were to be categorized, then head injuries would be at the top of the list. The force of a crash can send the driver hurtling toward the steering wheel at a tremendous rate. Sometimes, the driver will be bent in a forward motion toward the steering wheel, with their head striking it and absorbing all of the impacts. Needless to say, this can result in some very nasty head injuries, which ultimately put the brain at risk.
Internal bleeding
Depending on the stature of the driver, the size of the car and the seating position, another part of the body may hit the steering wheel. More often than not, this is the chest area. Your rib cage shields organs such as the lungs and heart. Sadly, the rib cage isn’t always enough and the blunt force of a crash can still severely damage internal organs. This may cause them to bleed profusely, which is a potentially life-threatening situation.
These are just some of the more serious injuries that can be caused by a steering wheel. There are numerous others. If your crash and injuries were caused by the negligence of another road user, make sure you look into your legal options.
