If you are like most people, you don’t think of your steering wheel as something that can cause harm. In fact, you likely use it day after day without considering what would happen if you were in an accident.
Unfortunately, due to the steering wheel’s position, the possibility of serious and even fatal injuries is real if you are involved in an accident. Keep reading to learn more about the most common steering wheel accidents that may occur.
Head injuries
If your airbag doesn’t deploy (or if you drive a vehicle without an airbag), your head may collide with the steering wheel in an accident. This can cause serious bruising, lacerations and traumatic brain injuries depending on the severity of the impact.
Chest injuries
Since the steering wheel protrudes from the dash, there’s a real possibility that your chest will collide with it in a collision. Unfortunately, even an accident at low speeds can cause enough force to fracture your ribs, damage your internal organs and cause internal bleeding. Some of these injuries can be life-threatening if you don’t seek medical treatment right away.
Arm and wrist injuries
If you see the accident coming, you may tighten your grip on your steering column to “brace” yourself. Unfortunately, the force of the impact will often cause serious injuries to your wrists, arms and shoulders.
Understanding how the steering wheel may injure you
As you can see, there are several serious injuries that the steering wheel may cause during an accident. Understanding what these are will help you know what to expect and help you take steps to prevent them, such as sitting back from the steering wheel and wearing your seat belt.
