Question

Which of the following is true regarding a rear-impact motor vehicle collision?

A. injuries along the left side of the driver's body are common
B. occupants are likely to go down and under the dash
C. neck injuries due to hyperextension are common
D. injury patterns are unpredictable with a rear-impact collision

Answer 1

In a rear-impact motor vehicle collision, neck injuries due to hyperextension, commonly known as whiplash, are frequent. Crumple zones in vehicles reduce the severity of injuries by increasing the duration over which the impact force is applied, thus decreasing the force exerted on passengers.

Step-by-step explanation:

A rear-impact motor vehicle collision is that neck injuries due to hyperextension are common. In a rear-impact collision, the force of the impact can cause the heads of the car occupants to snap backward, leading to hyperextension injuries, particularly to the neck. This is often referred to as whiplash.

When discussing the crumple zones of a car, the correct answer is that it reduces injury to the passengers by increasing the time of impact. The physics behind this concept is related to impulse and momentum. By increasing the time over which the impact occurs, the force exerted on the occupants is reduced, leading to potentially less severe injuries. This is a form of passive safety feature that modern cars possess to enhance occupant protection.