Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by tanya

What Are Dashboard Injuries?

 

Traffic Accidents And Claiming Compensation

 

These are common injuries sustained during a collision, but these can range from knees to head, so it’s helpful to understand exactly what are dashboard injuries? These injuries are caused by impact with the dashboard. However, the severity can go from minor bruises to severe life-changing injuries.

If you’ve sustained this type of injury, you may be wondering if you can claim compensation. Our team at First Personal Injury works with lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis and we may be able to help if this has happened to you or a loved one.

 

Extent of Dashboard Injuries

 

A dashboard injury occurs when a passenger, or a driver, is thrown forward during a crash and collides with the dashboard of the car. The extent of the injury depends on several factors. These may be the speed of the collision, whether the seatbelt was worn, and how the person hit the dashboard.

Some of the most common dashboard injuries include:

Knee Injuries (Dashboard Knee)

One of the most common injuries sustained is “dashboard knee.” This happens when your bent knee forcefully hits the dashboard. This may damage the patella (kneecap), ligaments, or cartilage. It can result in fractures, torn ligaments, such as a PCL tear, and potentially long-term mobility issues if not treated properly.

 

Head and Facial Injuries

A sudden impact can cause your head or face to smash into the dashboard. This could result in the following injuries:

• Concussions
• Skull fractures
• Broken nose
• Eye damage
• Facial lacerations and bruises

If the airbag doesn’t deploy or if you’re not wearing a seatbelt, the risk of a serious head injury increases dramatically.

 

Chest and Rib Injuries

If the force is strong enough, you could end up with fractured ribs, bruised lungs, or even internal organ damage. Striking the dashboard can also cause blunt force trauma to your chest. This is dangerous if it may affect your heart or lungs.

 

Spinal and Neck Injuries

The sudden force of being pushed forward can put extreme stress on your spine and neck. Injuries in this scenario may include herniated discs, or even spinal cord injuries. In severe cases, dashboard injuries can result in paralysis.

Can These Injuries Lead to Complications?

 

While some injuries heal with time and proper medical care, others can lead to long-term or even permanent issues. Some of the complications which may arise are:

 

• Chronic Pain – Knee injuries, spinal damage, or even rib fractures can result in persistent pain that requires long-term medical treatment.
• Reduced Mobility – Torn ligaments or severe fractures can limit movement and make day-to-day tasks difficult to perform.
• Post-Traumatic Arthritis – A knee injury from a collision may cause arthritis in the joints years later.
• Neurological Issues – Head trauma can cause lasting cognitive problems, memory loss, or frequent headaches.
• Breathing Issues – If your ribs or lungs were impacted in the crash, you may struggle with breathing properly in the future.

 

Some complications don’t show up right away, only to show up weeks or months later. You might feel fine directly after the accident, but you should still get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.

 

How To File A Personal Injury Claim

 

If you’ve sustained a dashboard injury in a car accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury claim. However, if you were not aware straight away that you have been injured, the time limit begins from date of diagnosis.

You can only make a claim if the accident was caused by another party. This can be another driver, a defective vehicle part or even poorly maintained roads. Regarding evidence, collect any dashcam footage, police reports, witness statements and medical records relating to the injury

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and their long-term impact. If you think you have a case, it is essential to speak to a personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

 

At First Personal Industry, we work with expert lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, ensuring you get the support you need without financial risk. Call us at 0333 3582345 or contact us online  and we can call you back at a time suitable for you for a free, initial consultation.