Each year, there are about 1.7 million rear-end collisions on U.S. roadways. About 17,000 people die in those collisions and another 500,000 are hurt. Rear-end collisions often take drivers by surprise, jarring them suddenly as they sit at a stop light or come to a dead stop in traffic. While many rear-end collisions allow the victims to walk away completely unharmed, there are several common injuries that can be very severe.
Here are the three most common injuries sustained in rear-end collisions:
Whiplash
The term "whiplash" is used to describe a range of neck injuries - particularly soft tissue damage to the neck -- common in many rear-end car accidents. However, the extent of these injuries varies from case to case; some whiplash injuries resulting from rear-end collisions demand more intensive medical treatment than others, such as in cases where the victim is unaware of the coming impact.
Depending on the severity of the accident, symptoms of whiplash may include:
- Reduced range of motion in your neck
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Neck pain
- Shoulder or arm pain
- Headaches
One of the greatest dangers of a whiplash injury is that it isn't always immediately noticeable. It could take days or weeks for the full symptoms of the injury to become apparent. This is why it's important to be checked out by a doctor if you have been involved in any type of automobile accident.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually; of them 52,000 die. Among all age groups, motor vehicle-traffic was the second leading cause of TBI and resulted in the largest percentage of TBI-related deaths.
Like whiplash, the initial warning signs of traumatic brain injury may not be immediately noticeable, and it could take days or weeks for the full effects of the injury to completely manifest.
Common symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Chronic fatigue
- Impaired speech
- Reduced cognitive performance
- Abnormal changes in behavior
Unfortunately, traumatic brain injury can be incredibly difficult to treat, and some injuries may result in permanent impairments.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a common injury sustained in many automobile accidents, regardless of collision type. In rear-end collisions, breaks frequently occur in, but are not limited to, the:
- Hands
- Spine
- Ribcage
- Feet
- Skull
Even with modern crash safety equipment, broken bones can still happen when the collision is violent enough. However, these breaks are often easier to identify, treat, and document than soft-tissue injuries.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a rear-end collision accident, the team at Dugan & Associates is here for you, and we're ready to look at your case. Our team of experienced automobile accident lawyers will make sure you receive the maximum monetary compensation available to you. Contact us for your free consultation.
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