In the sequence of events, what is the third event?

• A. Vehicle impact with Object
• B. Occupant impact with airbag
• C. Occupant organs impact solid structures of the body
• D. Debris impacts

Answer: (C)

In a crash, injuries unfold in a sequence driven by inertia and rapid deceleration. First, the vehicle collides with an object, bringing it to a stop. Then the occupant is thrown forward and may strike interior surfaces or trigger an airbag—the second event. After that initial contact, the body’s organs continue moving due to inertia and collide with solid structures of the skeleton, such as the brain hitting the skull or organs pressing against bones—the third event. Debris impacting the occupant tends to occur later, once the vehicle interior is compromised or objects inside become loose. Understanding this progression helps explain why internal injuries can appear after the initial deceleration and exterior impacts, guiding careful assessment and treatment.