According to the National Traffic Safety Bureau, there were approximately 2 million rear-end collisions throughout the United States in 2012. Rear-end collisions, therefore, are one of the most common types of car accidents in the country, as well as the leading form of personal injury accident.
While rear-end auto accidents are mostly small fender benders, these accidents cost drivers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. When a person suffers damages following a rear-end collision caused by another, the liable party should be held responsible.
Common Injuries Caused By a Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions can cause serious damage to vehicles but they also cause serious injuries to those involved. The following is a brief list of the most frequently-cited injuries following a rear-end collision.
Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are at the forefront in rear-end collision injuries. This type of injury is typically caused by a sudden and violent movement of the head and neck. Drivers who are caught unaware will often face a more serious injury as they are left with no opportunity to protect themselves. When caught in a relaxed state, rear-end collision victims have a small window of opportunity to brace for the impact.
The National Safety Council has reported that about 80% of those who have sustained a whiplash injury will also experience soreness and pain that lasts for a period longer than a week. Moreover, the agency reports that 50% of whiplash victims suffer soreness and pain that lasts longer than a year after the incident.
Back Injuries
Even as rear-end collisions often occur when both vehicles are traveling at very low speeds, victims can sustain serious back injuries. Rear-end collisions cause a sudden force in the impact, which results in the compression of the spine and spinal discs located in the lower part of the spinal column.
This type of force can exert extraordinary pressure on a person’s vertebrae. In many cases, this can result in long-lasting soreness or lower back pain.
Closed-Head Injuries
Even in minor accidents, it is possible to sustain a traumatic brain injury, and one of these is known as a closed-head injury. Closed-head injuries are very serious and regrettably, will often go unsuspected. When ignored, these types of injuries can sometimes have life-threatening consequences, but for the most part, they will result in changes of a person’s cognitive and emotional capabilities.
Following a car accident, victims should pay special attention to any signs of:
- Blurred vision,
- Dizziness,
- Headaches,
- Disorientation, and
- Nausea
Spinal Cord Injury
Depending on the severity of the impact, a person can suffer a serious back injury that can result in complete or partial paralysis. The degree of paralysis can depend on where the person sustained the impact. Unfortunately, most spinal cord injuries are permanent, often leaving the victim with a lifetime of physical and emotional pain as well as serious financial strains.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney Following Your Rear-End Collision
The aforementioned injuries are only a few of common injuries a person may sustain following a rear-end auto accident. While there are a wide-range of injuries a person can sustain, a majority of injuries can result in costly medical expenses. If you or someone you love was injured in a rear-end collision that was caused by another’s carelessness, it is important to act quickly and seek the legal representation of a skilled attorney. Rear-end collision cases are time sensitive, consult the support of an attorney who will defend your right to fair compensation.
SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation works hard to increase their clients’ chances of a full medical recovery. The firm is highly experienced in the field of personal injury cases involving auto accidents and will use all resources available to champion on behalf of their clients. If you were injured in a rear-end collision as a result of another, contact a firm you can depend on today.
