Injuries One Might Sustain Following Speeding Accidents

By Your Health Magazine

Energy is what makes a speeding accident so different from a slow one, specifically, crash energy. The faster a car is going, the more energy is involved when that car crashes. And your body, which is not built to absorb that kind of force, ends up taking a huge hit.

When a car is moving at 30 mph or more and suddenly stops because of a crash, the energy has to go somewhere. That energy travels through the vehicle and into whatever it hits, sometimes another car, sometimes a barrier, and sometimes, sadly, a pedestrian or cyclist. Then it transfers to the people inside the car. That’s when the damage starts.

The situation gets worse if the vehicle is heavy, like an SUV or a truck. SUVs, because of their high center of gravity, are more likely to roll over during a high-speed crash. This explains why being injured in an SUV rollover accident is especially violent. And if you’re in a smaller or lighter car, the force doesn’t spread out equally. Smaller cars absorb more of the impact, meaning more force gets pushed into your body.

The Types of Injuries Speeding Causes

These are the most common types of injuries that victims of speeding accidents typically suffer:

Internal Injuries

Speeding increases the chance of internal damage, e.g., bleeding inside your body or injuries to organs like your liver, kidneys, or spleen. These are dangerous because they don’t always show symptoms right away.

You might not feel anything immediately. No bleeding on the outside, no big bruise, but inside, your organs could be damaged or even fail. By the time they do, you could be in critical condition.

Broken Bones and Fractures

In a high-speed crash, bones can actually shatter. The force can be strong enough to snap your femur or crush your ribs. Some fractures require pins, metal plates, or even surgery to heal. And if it’s your pelvis or spine? Recovery can take months or even years.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Speeding crashes make spinal injuries more likely because the impact is more violent. And once the spinal cord is damaged, it doesn’t heal easily. If your spinal cord gets damaged, especially in the neck or lower back, you could be facing partial or full paralysis.

Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

When your head whips forward and smashes into something, or even if it just jerks violently, your brain gets thrown around inside your skull. That’s how a traumatic brain injury happens. Even a mild TBI can lead to memory issues, dizziness, or personality changes. A more serious one could lead to permanent brain damage or a coma.

Soft Tissue Injuries

These are things like pulled muscles, torn ligaments, and sprains. They sound minor, but they can make it painful to move, walk, or even sleep. When your body twists or jerks during impact, soft tissues get stretched too far or tear completely.

Whiplash

Whiplash happens when your head snaps back and forth quickly, stretching the neck’s muscles and tendons beyond their normal range. You don’t need to be going superfast to get whiplash, either, but speeding increases the chances of it being worse and lasting longer.

What Makes Some Injuries Worse Than Others?

Not all injuries happen the same way for every person. A lot depends on things like:

If you were wearing a seatbelt
What direction your body was facing when you got hit
What part of the car did you hit (or what hit you)
Whether your car had airbags and if they deployed
Whether there were loose objects in the car flying around
Your physical health before the crash

Even how tense you were during the crash can affect your injuries. If your muscles were tight because you were bracing for impact, you’re more likely to strain or tear something.

Conclusion

If someone else was careless behind the wheel, you don’t owe them silence or patience. You owe yourself healing, and that includes getting informed, getting treated, and if necessary, getting justice.

From medical care to legal rights, you’re allowed to ask questions, push for answers, and demand the help you need. That includes knowing what kind of injuries you might be dealing with, how they could affect your future, and what you’re entitled to if someone else’s speeding caused it all.