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How Many Collisions Occur in a Crash?

Many people view a car crash as a single incident. In reality, every motor vehicle accident consists of three distinct collisions. 

Each of these collisions contributes to the physical trauma experienced by the people involved and often explains why injuries appear more severe than the visible vehicle damage suggests.

For Arizona residents involved in crashes, understanding the types of collisions that occur can strengthen a personal injury claim. The Sorenson Law Firm helps injured individuals navigate these complexities with trusted legal guidance and experience.

Types of Collisions That Occur in a Crash

Each car crash involves a chain reaction of impacts. Together, these collisions explain the forces that cause injury and the legal importance of documenting them accurately.

1. Vehicle Collision: The Car Strikes Another Object

The first collision occurs when the vehicle itself impacts another vehicle, a stationary object, or roadside infrastructure. This may include a head-on crash, rear-end impact, or a single-vehicle event involving a guardrail, tree, or pole.

According to The Arizona Department of Transportation, single-vehicle crashes account for approximately 16% of all traffic collisions but are responsible for over 27% of all fatal crashes. 

These numbers show that even a lone vehicle hitting an object can have deadly consequences.

Also, overturning crashes, where a vehicle rolls over, make up fewer than 2% of all collisions but result in more than 9% of traffic fatalities in Arizona. 

These crashes involve high levels of force during the initial vehicle impact and often trigger violent secondary movements.

2. Human Collision: Occupants Strike the Interior of the Vehicle

The second collision occurs after the vehicle stops moving. Due to inertia, the people inside the car continue traveling forward at the same speed. They collide with interior components such as the seatbelt, dashboard, windshield, or airbags.

Occupants not wearing seatbelts are especially vulnerable. They may be ejected from the vehicle or strike hard surfaces inside, increasing the risk of life-threatening injury.

This type of impact is particularly dangerous during rear-end collisions, which are common in Arizona. Although often labeled as minor, these crashes frequently cause whiplash, concussions, and blunt-force trauma.

Data from ADOT based on crashes in 2023 indicates that approximately 148 people are injured every day in Arizona crashes, with a new injury occurring every 9 minutes and 42 seconds. Many of these injuries occur as a result of the second, human-level collision.

Additionally, crashes during daylight hours account for over 70% of all vehicle accidents, meaning these second-collision injuries happen frequently even in normal daytime driving conditions.

3. Internal Collision: Organs Collide Inside the Body

Even after the body has been restrained by a seatbelt or impacted the interior of the car, internal organs continue to move. These organs can strike other organs or skeletal structures, leading to internal bleeding, brain injuries, or trauma to the lungs, heart, liver, or spleen.

This third and final collision is often the most dangerous because symptoms may not surface immediately. Internal injuries from this collision frequently require diagnostic imaging to detect.

ADOT reports that crashes involving children age 14 and younger caused 36 deaths and over 3,000 injuries in 2023. Vulnerable organs and undeveloped skeletal systems make young children especially susceptible to the internal trauma associated with this stage of the crash.

Furthermore, the high rate of fatalities among pedestrians and bicyclists also highlights the impact of internal injuries. 

Over 14% of pedestrian crashes and nearly 4% of bicycle crashes in Arizona are fatal, often because these individuals lack any protection to mitigate internal collision forces.

Why Multiple Collisions Matter in Injury Claims

Each of the three collisions has different implications for medical treatment and legal claims. Visible injuries from the human collision may be documented at the crash site. Internal injuries, however, may go unnoticed for hours or days.

Many insurance companies focus only on external vehicle damage when determining the value of a claim. This ignores the unseen trauma of the human and internal collisions. 

A personal injury attorney with experience in motor vehicle cases understands how to identify and document the full spectrum of injuries caused by a crash.

Injuries Caused by the Three Collisions

Each collision stage contributes to different injuries. These may include:

• Head trauma or concussions.
• Whiplash caused by sudden neck motion.
• Fractured ribs or limbs.
• Internal bleeding from organ damage.
• Lacerations caused by glass or debris.
• Bruising or compression injuries from seat belts or airbags.

Some injuries may not be immediately obvious. Medical evaluation following a crash is essential, especially when internal collisions are involved.

Safety Features in Modern Vehicles

Today’s vehicles are equipped with various technologies designed to reduce injuries. These include:

• Airbags designed to cushion the body during rapid deceleration.
• Seat belts that prevent occupants from being thrown forward.
• Reinforced cabin structures that protect passengers.
• Crumple zones that absorb and redirect crash energy.

Although these features help reduce injuries, they do not eliminate the forces experienced in each of the three collisions. Proper use of safety devices and defensive driving remains critical.

What Causes Vehicle Collisions in Arizona?

Many crashes in Arizona are caused by behaviors that can be avoided, including:

• Driving above the speed limit.
• Using a mobile device while driving.
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Failing to obey traffic signals or stop signs.
• Making aggressive lane changes or failing to yield.

Rear-end collisions are common and often result in neck injuries due to the sudden backward and forward movement of the head. 

Overturning crashes, though less frequent, lead to a disproportionately high rate of fatalities. This trend highlights how certain types of impacts are more dangerous, particularly when the vehicle rolls over.

The Importance of Legal Help After a Crash

When an individual experiences any type of car crash, legal representation can play a critical role in protecting their rights. Injuries sustained from internal collisions or delayed symptoms may be underestimated by insurance companies.

An experienced personal injury attorney will evaluate the nature of the crash, consult medical professionals, and gather the evidence necessary to support a full and fair injury claim.

At The Sorenson Law Firm, our legal team helps injured individuals pursue compensation for:

• Hospital bills and medical treatments.
• Long-term rehabilitation or therapy.
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and emotional distress.
• Damage to personal property.

We help our clients understand the mechanics of a crash and build their case around the multiple impacts that contributed to their injuries.

What To Do After a Crash

Arizona drivers involved in a motor vehicle crash should take the following steps:

1. Report the crash to local law enforcement immediately.
2. Request medical attention, even if symptoms seem minor.
3. Take photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and injuries.
4. Obtain names and contact information of any witnesses.
5. Exchange insurance details with the other driver.
6. Avoid admitting fault at the scene.
7. Contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking to insurance representatives.

Each of these steps helps preserve important evidence and protects your legal rights.

How The Sorenson Law Firm Assists Crash Victims

The Sorenson Law Firm serves clients across Arizona who have been injured in car crashes. Our attorneys understand that a crash involves more than visible vehicle damage. 

Each collision (vehicle, human, and internal) may cause injuries that require time, treatment, and legal advocacy to resolve.

We offer a free consultation to review your case, discuss your options, and advise you on the next steps. With years of legal experience and a commitment to client outcomes, we provide the representation needed to move forward confidently.

Additional Resources

To explore more about car crash injuries, traffic safety, and prevention strategies, refer to these reliable sources:

• Arizona Department of Transportation – Crash Facts
• National Safety Council – Motor Vehicle Injury Facts

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, contact The Sorenson Law Firm today for a free consultation. We are here to help you understand the full impact of your injuries and secure the compensation you deserve.