A patient has been critically hurt in a nighttime motor vehicle collision. She was wearing a seat belt and hit a tree at 70 mph. The car she was driving weighed 2 tons and was equipped with air bags that did deploy. Which of the following had the greatest impact on her being injured?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of the vehicle at impact is the greatest factor in determining the severity of injuries in a motor vehicle collision. At 70 mph, the force of the impact is significantly greater than if the vehicle had been traveling at a slower speed, even if it had been a smaller vehicle or lacked air bags. While the weight of the vehicle and deployment of air bags may also play a role in the overall outcome of the collision, the speed of the vehicle at impact is the primary factor. Nighttime conditions may have made it harder to see or avoid the collision, but they did not directly contribute to the severity of the patient's injuries.

A Patient Has Been Critically Hurt in a Nighttime Motor