The Wealth Of Health

This article is about “How much damage on car at 15 mph”, you can find here a huge variety of articles about “How much damage on car at 15 mph”:

Thousands of automobile collisions occur everyday. And every day thousands are injured. Researchers note that the majority of accident injury claims occur at relatively low speeds of about 12 mph.

This causes tremendous disputes between injured parties and the insurance companies that are responsible for compensating them fro their injuries. To insurers, there really is no speed at which they want to admit and injury could occur. For economic reasons they try to dismiss whiplash in its entirety as if it doesn’t exist.

Thanks to recent irrefutable research studies proving the existence and exact mechanism of whiplash injuries, insurers are hard pressed to try the “whiplash is a hoax” defense nearly as much as in the past.

A more recent tactic is to claim the speed of the collision is too low to cause injury. The defense often relies on their insured’s reports of how fast they were going when they ran into the back of the other party-obviously biased data. Other times photographs of the vehicle damage is used to show a low speed. Often, the photographs are shown to an Accident Reconstructionist who by merely looking at photographic damage renders an opinion on how fast the vehicles were traveling. They will even go so far to make statements such as “the evidence suggests there was insufficient force to cause human bodily injury…” This would be laughable if it didn’t cause so many problems for injured victims.

Here are but a few facts concerning motor vehicle injuries and their relationship to speed with supporting scientific evidence.

Three different studies (Panjabi, Panjabi and Cholewicki and Kaneoka) proved the mechanism by which the neck is injured by a rear impact force. [1], [2], [3] The studies involved simulating a rear impact collision ot live human test subjects and recording the results with cineradiography (high speed motion x-rays). The researchers found that the neck was injured by deforming into an “S- shaped” configuration. All three of these studies found that this physical event occurred at speeds as low as 2.5 mph.

The radiographically proven human threshold for injury in a rear impact collision therefore is 2.5 mph. Other authors have disputed these figures and some insurance company sponsored studies have found the threshold to be closer to 5 mph.

For the sake of argument, let’s stipulate that the 5 mph threshold is correct. It still means that a collision of only 5 mph can cause damage to the neck.

Freeman et. al. in Spine, Vol. 23, Number 9, 1998, p. 1046 shows the damage thresholds for many cars. This is the minimum speed required to cause the car to show visible signs of damage. The smallest, lightest vehicle listed was the 1980 Toyota Tercel, which required a collision of 8.1 mph to become damaged. On the other end of the spectrum was the 1989 Chevrolet Citation, which required 12.7 mph. A Ford F-250 pick up required 11.7 mph.

Cars built today are equipped with rear bumpers designed not to show any damage below 5 mph. In an attempt to reduce repair costs shouldered by insurance companies, crash standards were adopted to mandate rear bumpers must withstand a 5 mph collision into a fixed barrier (wall, pole, etc) without any visible evidence of damage. It should be noted that this standard involves testing of “vehicle to barrier” crashes not “vehicle to vehicle” testing.

In “vehicle to vehicle” crashes where the bumpers line up well, it takes considerably more force to cause visible bumper damage than a 5 mph collision. Some tests have shown that cars could be crashed repeatedly at 20 mph and not show outer damage. In a “vehicle to vehicle” crash it is estimated that the minimum speed to cause visible damage is approximately 15 mph.

Another consideration is that while a bumper may look undamaged from the outside after a collision, inside under the skin, the foam or plastic may be crushed or cracked. This is not seen from the outside, so photographs would make it appear as if no damage was sustained. Still further, the bumper may appear intact, but on unibody vehicles, the unibody may be bent or deformed by a collision. This may not be apparent and some auto repair facilities may miss it.

So what does this mean? It means that if you are rear-ended and your bumper is cracked, dented, or misplaced at all, your collision involved speeds in excess of 15 mph. That’s 3 times the human threshold for injury if we use the 5 mph figure. In reality, the proven threshold is only 2.5 mph, so a collision of 15 mph is 6 times the threshold for injury.

Now let’s say your vehicle sustained no visible damage, but your neck hurts after the collision. Does that mean you weren’t really injured? No. It means that the vehicle’s threshold for damage was not exceeded. The impact could have been 10 mph. Too low for bumper damage, but still 4 times the threshold for human injury.

In a low speed collision, the kinetic forces that are transferred from the other vehicle into your vehicle are not dampened or bled off by your bumper. Instead, the force is transmitted through the vehicle, into your seat and to your neck resulting in injury. If your body or neck are jolted or jerked by the impact, an injury could occur.

Another aspect to consider is if your vehicle is moved forward by the impact. An average car weighs close to 4,000 lbs. Let’s say you are hit from behind and your car is pushed forward a few feet, but shows no signs of bumper damage. Is it possible to be hurt? Yes, of course. The force required to move a stationary 4,000 lb object is tremendous. Can you walk up to a car sitting at a red light with its brakes on and shove it forward even an inch? Not likely. A collision that is strong enough to propel a car forward by even inches is plenty enough force to cause a whiplash injury.

So, as you have now learned, there really shouldn’t be any dispute on whether a low speed collision can cause injuries. It has been scientifically proven by several studies. It is also a fact that the speed required to cause bodily injury is quite low, a scant 2.5 mph. It has also been shown that any accident that causes damage to the rear bumper is likely to cause injuries and even in accidents where there is no outward physical damage to the vehicle, there may still be sufficient forces involved to cause bodily injuries.

References

Panjabi MM, Grauer JN (1997): “Whiplash produces a S-shape curvature of the neck with hyperextension at lower levels. ” Spine 22 (21): 2489-94.

Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Grauer JN, Babat LB, Dvorak J, Bar HF (1998-12-01): “[Biomechanics of whiplash injury].” Orthopade 1998 Dec; 27(12): 813-9.

Koji Kaneoka, Koshiro Ono, Satoshi Inami and Koichiro Hayashi (99-04-15). “Motion analysis of cervical vertebrae during whiplash loading.” Spine 24(8): 763-770

Characteristics of Specific Automobile Bumpers in Low Velocity Impacts, SAE 940916

Dr. Barry L. Marks, DC… chiropractor, author and lecturer. He is a former Associate Clinical Professor and has been in practice since 1986. He has specialized training in whiplash and brain trauma from auto accidents and vehicle crash reconstruction. His expert opinion is often sought in connection with whiplash and other injuries due to automobile collisions. You may reach Dr. Marks at his Orange, CA office at (714) 938-0575. His articles and ebooks can be found at http://www.drmarks.com and a Free Consumer’s Guide, “What You Should Know If You’ve Been Invovled in an Auto Accident” can be found at http://www.drmarks.com/auto_accident_whiplash_treatment.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Barry_L_Marks_D.C.

More info about How much damage on car at 15 mph:

FRIDAY with HURRICANE EARL. Check back for 9.3.10 Updates today. – allvoices

National Geographic

FRIDAY with HURRICANE EARL. Check back for 9.3.10 Updates today. allvoices There can still be a lot of damage and power outages, sewer systems unable to handle water levels, etc. logistical problems with 110 mph winds down to 70 … Emergencies stack up ahead of Earl’s arrival York Weekly 40-70 mph winds could hit Maine coast in next 36 hours Bangor Daily News Written by Associated Press | Thursday, 02 September 2010 15:00 News Central … NewOrleans.Com Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald  - Jacksonville Daily News  - msnbc.com all 13,982 news articles »

Rear Ended….. No Damage?!?!

But anyway… it was a Ford Taurus and rear ended me at about 15 to 20 mph I’m thinking. Her car was pretty bad off…. the Jeep though had pretty much no damage!

Earl sideswipes NC, takes aim at New England – Corsicana Daily Sun

… damage the area’s picturesque gray-shingled cottages. Earl dropped to a Category 1 storm â?? down from a powerful Category 4 a day earlier â?? with sustained winds of 80 mph … earthquake struck much of New …

How much is a 13 mph speeding ticket in florida – How much is …

Q. How much is a speeding ticket of going over 20 mph? Going over speed is a crime .The … i have a ny state license and florida insurance in my name on my car. …

low speed car accident « Orange County Car Accident Solution

Some cars can be crashed at 20 mph and not show any signs of damage while the majority of cars … bled off into the two vehicles, but much … is only 2.5 mph, so a collision of 15 mph …

Naturalists celebrate restoration of centuries-old prairies at White Rock Lake – Dallas Morning News

… much of Dallas County felt first the plow and then the bulldozer … volunteers found 15 parcels totaling about 250 acres. The parcels had lasted through the years of dairy farms, with cows grazing and trampling …

Kalamazoo Police report says crash victim stepped in front of car: Businessman … – MLive.com

faces up to 15 … both cars had made the turn, Eastâ??s car switched lanes and went â??flying by meâ? with no headlights on, according to the police report. Stratton, who told police she was traveling about 40 mph

An Investigation into Vehicle Frontal impact Stiffness, BEV …

impacts were conducted at speeds of 15, 20, 40 and 50 mph. These speeds were chosen. to … car in the car to car. collision achieves its 22.6 mph AV in a much …

UPDATE: Virginia Beach says Earl’s gone, come on down – Richmond Times-Dispatch

8:15 a.m. VIRGINIA … officials waiting for daybreak to see how much damage the storm’s winds and waves could do. Earl weakened yesterday, winding down from a Category 4 storm with winds of 140 mph to a Category 2 …

Mini cars crushed in 40-mph crashes – Business – Charleston …

Mini cars crushed in 40-mph crashes … The tests were conducted at 40 miles per hour … Class, which weighs nearly twice as much. There was extensive damage …

Some Thieves Steal Much More Than Money – NPR News

A 15-year-old hibiscus plant taken right off the front porch … they’re collateral damage. Cars or homes get broken into and Grandma’s costume jewelry gets swept into the bag along with the good stuff. Pictures of …

This post was mainly about How much damage on car at 15 mph, you are welcomed to comment here about How much damage on car at 15 mph.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on How much damage on car at 15 mph

Your PC might be slow or have lots of errors like the blue screen or other Computer errors, you can call a technician to fix or repair your PC or you can use the best registry cleaner software that will fix your PC registry and will make your computer or laptop work faster and with no errors.

If you need legal counselling about mesothelioma and searching for lawyers then one of the best places to look for them in the Oregon Mesothelioma Lawyers site.

People got here while searching: how much damage can 20 mph - damage from 40 mph collission - human body damage to car - is the speed your travelling in a car crash releva - picture of car after 20 mile an hour collision - how much damage 40 mph collision - how much damage can 40 mph wind do - Pictures of an auto accident at 15 mph - 40 miles an hour neck injury - how much damage caused in car at 20 mph - rear ended 15mph - how much damage can a car cause going 20mph - car accident damage at 15 mph - can being rearended at 50 miles an hour cause body - how much car damage in a 5 mph collision - how much damage can happen with a low impact car a - how much force damage car - how much damage can you do at 20 mph - damage a car going 5 mph? - how much damage from vehicle traveling 10 mph.