When it comes to the most common traffic accidents, rear-end collisions are certainly ones that occur more frequently than others. The injuries sustained in such mishaps can vary widely, although it is easy to believe that fender benders could be the most harmless of accidents. Still, it is worth knowing that high-impact rear-end collisions with large vehicles can be as dangerous as any other road accident. The injuries, which mostly involve the neck, back, and spine, can be catastrophic and people may even die. Hence, it becomes important to be aware of the most common injuries in rear-end collisions, the kind of impact they can have, and how compensation claims need to be handled. Let us explain to them in detail.
Whiplash
Rear-end accidents are characterized by a rapid and sudden forward and back movement, which often results in whiplash. This kind of injury involves soft tissue damage in the neck and back areas. You can also expect sprains or strains in the neck, tendons, and ligaments. The common symptoms of this condition include pain and stiffness, headaches, irritability, insomnia, and even depression. The biggest concern about whiplash is that it does not always surface right away. You may encounter symptoms days after the accidents, which can make it a little tricky from the compensation viewpoint. It is best to wait for the symptoms to surface and add the condition to your claim as delayed injuries.
Back pain
Another kind of issue that victims of rear-end collisions often come across is back pain, which may be caused by your body being hit against the inner parts of the car. The impact can lead to straining of the muscles or ligaments in your back or could be something as serious as rupturing of discs. The pain can be extreme and debilitating and even result in difficulty walking or standing if it reaches down to the legs. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can go away quickly or last for weeks or even months.
Spinal cord injury
The most threatening implication of rear-end collisions is spinal cord injury, which occurs when a sharp jolt ends up damaging the neck or back vertebrae and the spinal cord as well. The impact can be life-changing as you may lose the sensation, strength, and body functions below the injury area permanently. Involving a car accident lawyer is the best way to deal with such an injury that often leaves you crippled for life. Only a professional can ensure that you get enough compensation to cover up the financial aspects of the injury, from medical expenses, long-term care costs, and loss of income. Further, they can also get you compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of consortium and companionship for your loved ones.
Traumatic brain injury
Another relatively serious injury in rear-end accidents is a traumatic brain injury, which as the name suggests, involves injury to the brain and the surrounding areas. Such injuries often occur when the victim is thrown forward or hits the head as an impact of the collision. The symptoms may vary from headaches, nausea, and dizziness to lasting and more serious ones like depression and difficulty concentrating. The injury may resolve quickly or have a long-term impact on the quality of life. Obviously, you deserve a settlement depending on the severity of the symptoms and injury.
Other injuries
Apart from the aforementioned injuries, there are a few common ones that you may possibly come across in such mishaps. For example, there are chances of broken bones, even something as serious as a broken rib cage if the victims do not have seat belts on. A broken rib cage can be life-threatening because it can penetrate the lungs. Contusions and cuts happen often from the impact, particularly if window glass is shattered. In more severe collisions, the passengers may even hit the windshield, leading to serious injuries like scarring and facial disfigurement. The most serious accidents can result in paralysis, amputation, and even death.
Like any other car accident, rear-end collisions come under the coverage of personal injury law. Obviously, you have the right to claim compensation for the injuries and damages sustained in a mishap caused by someone else’s negligence. However, you need to prove the fault of the guilty driver and provide sufficient evidence to show your injuries as well. The best way to get a fair settlement is by having a seasoned attorney to handle these aspects during negotiations or trial, as the case may be.
