Motor Vehicle Accident Car Accident Ejections in Waldorf, MD By Law Office of Robert Castro, P.A. | May 2, 2016 Share In January, a Maryland woman was tragically killed while traveling westbound on Interstate 68 when she lost control of her vehicle due to icy road conditions. The car veered into the grass median and struck a guardrail, at which point the vehicle overturned and slid into the eastbound lanes. The driver and one of the passengers were ejected from the car. Both passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Occupant Ejections There are two main types of occupant ejections: partial ejections and complete ejections. Partial ejections occur when a driver or passenger is thrown forward but is not entirely ejected from the car, usually due to the restrictions of a seatbelt or contact with the windshield. Complete ejections occur when an occupant is completely thrown out of the vehicle. Passengers who are completely ejected have a high risk of being struck by other passing cars. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in one year, around 79% of vehicle occupants who were ejected during an accident later passed away as a result of their injuries. Data also reveals that seat belts have proven extremely effective in preventing passengers from being evicted from their vehicles, with only one percent of occupants who were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident being ejected from the car. On the other hand, 30% of passengers who were not wearing their seat belts were ejected during the accident. It is estimated that ejections account for as many as 25% of vehicle fatalities involving passenger cars. Ejection Causes While seat belts may be the most significant factor associated with occupant ejection, the NHTSA has identified a few others, including: • Speed; • The type of vehicle; and • The driver’s age. An individual can be ejected in almost any type of car accident, although there are certain factors that have proven to be more likely to contribute to ejections, including: • Defective seat belts; • Weak window glass; • Defective door latches; and • Rollovers. Common Injuries Injuries sustained in these types of accidents are usually severe and often life-threatening. Some of the most common injuries include: • Broken or crushed bones; • Traumatic brain injuries; • Lacerations and bruising; • Spinal cord damage; • Head and neck trauma; • Burns; • Paralysis; • Limb amputation; and • Psychological trauma. Many of these injuries may require victims to undergo expensive treatments, including multiple surgeries, months of immobility, and painful physical therapy. The cost of such treatments can quickly overwhelm a family’s finances, especially if one of the injured parties contributed significantly to supporting the household. Fortunately, those injured due to another person’s negligence or wrongful act can obtain compensation to help pay for the losses they suffered, including: • Medical expenses; • Lost wages; • Loss of income; • Pain and suffering; and • funeral or burial costs. Charles County, MD Personal Injury Lawyers that Fight for You Car occupants who were ejected during an accident can sustain serious and even deadly injuries, so if you or a loved one were injured in a car crash, it is important to contact experienced car accident lawyers in Waldorf who can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Please contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro at 301-804-2312 to schedule a free consultation.
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