How to Survive a Car Crash - Vol.318
Driving is a skill like anything else. The main difference is that no matter how much practice you have, anyone can be a part of an accident. Whether it is someone else's fault or your own, there are certain steps that can be taken to avoid death or serious injury.
Utilize Your Seatbelt
Even if you find them uncomfortable to wear, a seatbelt can be the simplest survival tool in the event of a crash. According to the NHTSA, half of all crash related deaths could have been avoided had the person been properly utilizing their seatbelt. Make sure to sit upright and wear the belt in the correct manner with the shoulder harness across the chest and the lap harness secured.
Airbags
Although there is a possibility of being injured by them, airbags are a great safety feature in many cars. Coming out at literally explosive speeds, the airbag provides a cushion to protect you from slamming into hard surfaces in the car or going through the windshield. In order to inflate at such a high speed, the air bags come out filled with air hot enough to cause burns. Other injuries from airbags include broken noses and other facial bones, but this is a small trade off in a matter of life and death. If your car has an automatic shut off feature for after the airbags deploy, it is sometimes helpful to know how to restart the engine. Consult your owner's manual for more information on how to restart your car after the airbags have come out.
Secure Loose Objects
If it is necessary to have various items in the cabin with you, make sure they are secured in a way that they do not fly through the car during a crash. When a crash occurs, loose objects will continue to move at the speed you were traveling until they hit something and stop. Sometimes this something can be you. This is why it is important for everyone in the vehicle to be wearing their seatbelt even if they are in the backseat. A person flying from the back at a rate of 50-60 miles per hour is almost certainly going to result in death if they hit into people in the seats ahead of them. Stay strapped in and safe. Pets can also present similar problems if they are permitted to roam the cabin freely.
Try Not to Tense Up
Bracing yourself for the crash actually does more harm than good. The speed of the crash is sure to put greater force than what your bones and muscles can handle. If you are bracing, your body is more likely to break or become injured. It is not easy to relax, but if you can it can be the difference between multiple broken bones or death and just a few bruises.
Know when to get Out of Your Vehicle
The first thing you should do after a car crash is evaluate the situation. In the cases of moving vehicles, the crash turning into an ongoing pile up, or other hazards your vehicle is probably the safest place for you to remain. However, once it is safe to do so, you should exit the vehicle and get to a safe distance away. Often times the battery or gas tank may catch flame with little to no warning to the driver. Once you are safely away from the scene of the crash, call 911 and begin checking for injuries. If anybody involved in the crash is unconscious or badly injured, do not try moving them unless there is more pending danger. Call an ambulance and wait for professional help to arrive.
You can take these steps to improve your likelihood of surviving a car crash. Along with the steps mentioned, it is also a good idea to have a few safety tools in your car. These include a fire blanket, fire extinguisher, a sharp knife, an object to bust out windows, and a flashlight.