Description

Occasionally after an automobile accident the driver may not be known with certainty. The pattern of injury may help determine if a person in the front seat was the driver or passenger.


 

Situations where this may occur:

(1) rollover with unrestrained occupants, with all occupants killed

(2) survival of one occupant and death of a second, with the former claiming the latter was the driver

(3) one person claiming to be the driver in an attempt to shield a second person (may be related to insurance, drinking, driving without a license or family loyalty)

 

Injuries that indicate the person was the driver:

(1) shoulder harness abrasion on the left shoulder

(2) steering wheel impact on chest

(3) blood, hair or other biological material embedded on the left side

(4) injuries or markings compatible with the brake or gas pedal (a boot mark may be present on a pedal, or the pedal marking may be on the sole of a shoe, or there may be foot injury associated with impact onto the brake pedal)

(5) head injuries on the left side

(6) airbag debris (if the airbag is only on the driver's side)

 

Injuries that indicate that the person was the front seat passenger:

(1) shoulder harness abrasion on the right shoulder

(2) dashboard or windshield injury if unrestrained

(3) blood, hair or other biological material embedded on the right side

(4) injuries or markings specific for projections or modifications on the right side

(5) head injuries on the right side

 


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