Auto Accident Myths
"How can I hurt when there isn't that much damage to my car?"
This is a myth. It is usually misunderstood that a lack of property damage to vehicle equates to little or
no bodily injury or pain. It is not the speed of the oncoming vehicle that determines the amount of
injury occurs, but the change of speed that occurs in a person's head, neck and body. This can be affected
by numerous factors such as the seat restraints,
seat back, head restraints, bumper and vehicle
size. Scientific research performed on live human test subjects by the Spine Research Institute of San Diego
have shown that low speed rear impact collisions can cause neck pain even without any visible
property damage. This has been documented with compelling video footage. Rear bumpers by law; have been
designed to withstand an impact of 5 to 10 mph without showing any cosmetic damage. Because there is no
visible sign of damage, it is subjective to say you cannot be in pain.
"I'm safe because I drive a big SUV."
There is some bit of truth to this statement, but it is still a myth. Yes, a larger vehicle is
safer because there is more room to crush and crumple than in a smaller vehicle crash. Therefore
an occupant will absorb less energy from the collision than if they were in a small vehicle. The aspect of
larger SUV type vehicles that is less safe is their reduced maneuverability and braking ability. Because of
their larger size and weight, it is more difficult to evade a dangerous situation and avoid a crash. There
is also the increased risk of rollovers with SUVs and larger vehicles because of their higher profile and
stance off the ground.
"I don't need to wear a seat belt, because my airbags will protect me."
This is definitely a not true, this is a myth. Many more fatal crashes occur with front end
collisions. Seat belts are the single most effective traffic safety device for
preventing neck pain, death and injury, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbags are not set to go off
on rear end collisions and since there are many more rear end collisions than
frontal impact collisions
, seat restraints are far more important along properly
set head restraints. Neck pain occurs more often in lower speed rear end
collisions. Therefore, if you're not wearing your seat restraints, you're leaving yourself
unprotected. Airbags alone are only 12% effective. Seat belts alone are 42% effective and airbags
with seat belts are 47% effective. You can see that much of the safety lies with the use of the seat
belt. The safest place to be during a crash is sitting securely in your seat. Visit a chiropractor.
Carlsbad Chiropractic
2808 Roosevelt St. #102
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-720-CARE (2273)
Fax: 760-730-9911
Office Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri:
9am-1:30pm and 2pm-6pm
Tues: closed
Open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
Most Insurances Accepted
Licensed Massage Therapist On Staff
