Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by tanya

The Most Common Injuries For Backseat Passengers

 

Get The Compensation You Deserve

 

The most common injuries for backseat passengers in car accidents range from brain injuries to fractures and lacerations. Different injuries are sustained largely due to the dynamics of the collision to the safety features in the vehicle. A rear end collision or t-bone (side) crash pose a high risk for passengers in the back seats.

Filing a personal injury claim is possible to do when the accident was not your fault, and the harm suffered was a result of negligence of another party. This may be the driver of the other vehicle in the collision of the driver you were travelling with.

It’s important to understand that if the driver at fault is a family member of friend, claims are generally settled through insurance. This means you are not placing a financial burden on that individual.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car crash and you are looking to make a claim, our team at First Personal Injury can help you with this process in a caring manner.

 

Here Are Common Injuries For Backseat Passengers

Back seat passengers are susceptible to a range of injuries in the event of a car crash. Some of the most frequently reported injuries include:​

 

Head and Brain Injuries

In the absence of airbags in the rear seats, back seat passengers are at a heightened risk of head and brain injuries. During a collision, unrestrained or improperly restrained passengers can be propelled forward. This may potentially cause their heads to strike the front seats, windows, or other interior structures.

This impact can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, and concussions. Even with seat belts, if there are no airbags – there’s less to absorb the force of the impact of the accident.

 

Facial Injuries

The absence of airbags also contributes to a higher incidence of facial injuries among backseat passengers. In a crash, passengers may collide with the seatbacks in front of them or with the side windows.

This type of impact can result in facial fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries. Shattered glass from windows can worsen such injuries, causing deep cuts and potential scarring. ​

 

Chest and Abdominal Injuries

Seat belts, while essential for safety, can sometimes cause injuries during high-impact collisions. This type of force typically impacts the chest and abdomen. It can lead to bruised or fractured ribs, damaged internal organs and internal bleeding.

Seat belts may also be improperly positioned which increases the risk of injury. This is particularly if the belt is resting over the stomach instead of the pelvis.

 

Spinal Cord Injuries

The forces exerted during a car accident can cause significant damage to the spinal cord and surrounding areas. Harm may include herniated discs, fractured vertebrae or even severe spinal cord injuries.

 

Factors Increasing Vulnerability of Back Seat Passengers

Several factors contribute to the increased vulnerability of back seat passengers in car accidents:

 

Use Your Seat Belt

Research has shown that those in the front seats of a car are more likely to use seat belts than those in the back. This could be from a notion that the back seat is somehow safer in a collision. However, there’s a significantly higher risk of injury of you are not wearing a seat belt.

Advanced Safety Features Only In The Front

Front seats are frequently equipped with safety features, such as airbags. However these features are often lacking in the rear seats. This leaves backseat passengers exposed to significant injuries

Seating Position

Lying down across the seat or not sitting upright in the backseats increases the risk of injury in a crash. Another exposed position is the middle of the back seat. This position often only has a lap belt and not a full seat belt. Again, this increases the risk of suffering an injury which may have otherwise been prevented.

 

Filing a ‘No Win, No Fee’ Claim

 

Backseat passengers are rarely considered liable for an accident. However not wearing a seatbelt may be considered contributory negligence. This factor will reduce the amount of compensation.

The party you will be claiming from may either be the driver of the car you were travelling in at the time of the collision Or, it may be another driver who caused the accident. If fault is shared, a claim may include various insurance companies.

Generally compensation will cover medical costs, wages lost, travelling for medical treatment, as well as pain and suffering. It is advisable to consult with a personal injury lawyer who has experience in claims involving traffic accidents.

 

First Personal Injury can guide you through the process to get the compensation you deserve. We work with highly experienced lawyers who work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online for a free consultation.