Victims of car accidents often ask: What kind of injuries occur most often in a rear-end collision? You could suffer numerous injuries in a rear-end collision. Some of the most common are whiplash, concussion, facial disfigurement, and broken bones. Rear-end collisions occur when an unfocused motorist runs their vehicle into the back of another vehicle.
According to the Washington Post, approximately 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur on US roads each year. If you have been in a rear-ended collision car accident, learn more about the injuries you can sustain. Understanding the types of rear-end collision injuries can help you establish grounds to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Common Injuries You Could Suffer in a Rear-End Collision
When another vehicle hits you from behind, the violent motion can cause you to strike the dashboard, windshield, or steering wheel, causing severe injuries. Even without direct impact, the force of a collision can result in soft tissue damage, neck and spinal injuries, and brain damage. Below are some of the most common injuries you could sustain in a rear-end accident.
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Whiplash (Neck Strain or Sprain)
Whiplash is a common neck injury in rear-end accidents. According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash occurs when your head jerks forward and backward quickly, causing damage to the bones, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues of the neck and shoulders.
A whiplash injury from a rear-end crash can cause neck soreness and make it difficult to turn your head. It can create long-term health issues like headaches, neck pain, and shoulder discomfort. You may require extensive physical therapy to reduce pain and improve your range of motion following a whiplash injury. Untreated whiplash can cause chronic pain and stiffness. You should, therefore, seek medical treatment after a rear-end accident.
Concussion (Traumatic Brain Injury)
Regardless of the severity of your rear-end collision, any head injury is a serious concern. Even if the airbags are deployed adequately, do not quickly rule out the impact on your head. Recent studies indicate that motor vehicle accidents often cause traumatic brain injuries (TBI), such as concussions. TBIs occur most often when a driver hits their head hard on the headrest or steering wheel.
You may experience any of the following traumatic brain injury symptoms after a rear-end accident, including:
- Headaches
- Memory loss and confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Impaired speech
- Tiredness and dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Delayed response
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light and sound
TBI symptoms do not always appear immediately, so you should seek medical attention immediately after any rear-end accident that causes a blow, jolt, or other head trauma.
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Herniation (Disc Bulge)
This condition occurs when the trauma from the accident raptures or tears the outer fiber surrounding your spinal discs. Herniation can occur in your lumbar, cervical, or thoracic spine.
Disc herniation can cause tingling, numbness, and severe pain in your legs, knees, feet, or back. In some rare cases, a disc bulge can cause paralysis.
Sometimes, disc herniation symptoms are delayed after the initial accident. For this reason, we always recommend that accident victims pay close attention to their bodies for weeks following a crash.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the scariest consequences of a rear-end accident. Bruises fade, and proper care can mend a broken bone, but a spine injury can alter how you live the rest of your life.
Look out for the following symptoms if you suspect a spinal injury:
- Reduced sensation
- Poor balance
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Paralysis
- Reduced strength
- Severe back pain
- Muscle spasms
Some types of spine injuries that you can get after a rear-end accident include spinal cord injuries, spondylolisthesis, herniated disks, and compression fractures.
To reduce the potential for long-term health issues associated with spinal injuries, seek medical care immediately following a rear-end accident that delivers a blow or jolt to your spine.
Facial Disfigurement
A rear-end collision can leave you with a broken jaw, nose, or cheekbone, which may result in long-term scarring or disfigurement. Studies show that facial deformities acquired in accidents can significantly affect the victim’s quality of life, causing anxiety and social isolation.
In addition to their cosmetic effects, facial injuries can create chronic medical complications such as swallowing and breathing difficulties. These conditions may demand costly surgical treatment and other comprehensive care.
Safety Belt Injuries
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts save lives in car crashes. However, they can sometimes cause injuries in rear-end collisions.
When an accident happens, the car’s safety belt tightens, stopping your body from hitting the windshield, dashboard, and steering wheel. When it tightens, the belt may cut or bruise your skin. You could also suffer internal injuries as the impact of the accident forces you against the restraints.
Soft Tissues Injuries and Lacerations
A sudden movement in a rear-end auto accident can cause various soft tissue injuries. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, soft tissue injuries include muscle strains,sprains, bruises, cuts, and other damage to the skin, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.
The massive strain exerted on your body during a rear-end collision can create soft tissue damage, which impairs your nerves and hinders limb mobility.
Even in seemingly minor accidents, the sudden back-and-forth motion can cause soft tissue injuries that cause pain, swelling, and mobility issues.
Consult With Morris Bart Personal Injury Lawyers About Your Rear-End Collision Injury Claim
Rear-end crashes are often abrupt, unanticipated, and violent accidents. By understanding the kind of accident injuries you could suffer in a rear-end collision, you can better seek the medical and legal assistance you need.
Morris Bart’s skilled personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling rear-end accident cases like yours. Our legal team can help you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other losses associated with your rear-end accident injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision, let our rear-end collision lawyers help you seek financial recovery.
Contact us today to consult with a rear-end car accident lawyer. We can review your case at no cost and advise you of your legal options.
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