Rear-end car crashes result in a myriad of physical and cognitive injuries – from minor aches in neck and head to a severe traumatic brain injury. There is an average of 1.7 million rear-end collisions that occur in the United States every year. Nearly 500,000 people are injured while 1,700 die. These crashes make up almost one-third of all crashes in the United States most of which are caused by distracted drivers according to the National Highway Traffic Safety. Other factors include:
- Poor brake lights
- Sudden Stops
- Improper Following Distances
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Unclear Lane markings and traffic signs
- Weather Conditions
- Visibility
MECHANISM OF INJURIES
When a person is in a rear-end car accident, the forces from behind cause the head and neck to suddenly hyperextend forward and then backward. This is sometimes called a cervical acceleration-deceleration injury. When the forces come back into the headrest, the neck and back can be compressed causing axial loading on the spine. Four phases occur during “whiplash” type injury to the head and neck: Initial position (before the collision), retraction, extension, and rebound. This hyperextension results in tearing of the muscles, nerves, and tendons. It can cause bones to shift and even fragment. In worse cases, it can cause the brain to sheer and twist in the skull depending on the nature and severity of the rear-end collision. This is sometimes called a coup-contra-coup injury where the brain is accelerated into the cranium as the head and neck hyperextend and is then accelerated into the other side as the head and neck rebound.
TYPES OF INJURY
Like many personal injury cases, the nature and extent of the injury caused by a rear-end collision depend upon the person involved in the crash and the forces placed upon them. A lot can be determined by the physical damage to the property and the nature of the impact to calculate how much force was involved in the crash. This is often called the Delta V. It also depends upon the health and makeup of the occupants. For example, someone who is more fragile would require less force to cause an injury. Types of injuries that are common include:
- Headaches at the base of the skull
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Muscle Spasm
- Loss of range of motion
- Radiating Pain Down the Arms, Chest, and Back
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Rarer, but just as likely conditions, including spinal cord damage, ruptured disks, stroke, visual disturbances, problems hearing, and traumatic brain injury.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER A REAR-END COLLISION?
If you were involved in a rear-end car accident, several things must be done to protect yourself.
- Most Important, check for injuries to yourself and the other people in the vehicle.
- Call 911 so police and paramedics arrive to address your health concerns and document what happened.
- Get immediate medical attention even if you do not think you are that injuries as many injuries don’t present for days.
- Call a lawyer you trust to help you navigate through the claims process and assist in getting you any additional medical treatment you need.
Insurance companies will try to minimize these damages that can have prolonged and life-altering effects that will affect a person’s quality of life. Just because the property damage is smaller does not mean the damages to the occupant are insignificant. A lawyer will make sure you are taken seriously and hold the insurance company responsible for all the pain and discomfort caused by this car crash.
The Injury Law Firm has over 20 years of experience handling rear-end car accident and truck accident cases. If you have sustained injuries because of a rear-end car crash, an attorney at our firm can help you recover financial compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at (844) 311-1100 to schedule a free consultation with legal team to see if we can help.