When Can Rear-End Accidents Lead to Serious Injuries and Damages?

 Posted on September 17, 2021 in Personal Injury

A rear-end collision is often considered to be a minor type of car accident, especially when compared to a head-on collision or other high-speed accidents. However, rear-end accidents can still be very harmful to the occupants of a vehicle, while also causing extensive damage to a vehicle or other property. Drivers or passengers who suffer injuries can work with an attorney to determine how they can receive compensation from the driver who caused an accident.

Common Injuries in Rear-End Collisions

Even when collisions occur at low speeds, they are likely to place a great deal of stress on a person’s body, which can lead to serious injuries. Passenger vehicles weigh thousands of pounds, and the momentum of a vehicle that strikes another vehicle from behind will be transferred to the vehicle being struck and the people inside it. This can cause a person’s body to be jerked backwards and forwards, leading to injuries such as:

• Whiplash - A collision may cause a person’s head to snap back and forth suddenly. This can put strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck, and it may damage the cervical vertebrae or the spinal cord. This type of injury can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and arms, as well as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Damage to the spinal cord or the vertebrae in the neck may also cause chronic pain, numbness, or paralysis in different parts of the body, and a person may require surgery or ongoing physical therapy.

• Traumatic brain injuries - A person may strike their head on a headrest, the steering wheel, or other objects in the car, and this may cause concussions or other serious brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to multiple ongoing issues, including memory loss, mood disorders, sleep disorders, and problems with balance and coordination.

• Broken bones - If a driver was holding the steering wheel at the time of a collision, the bones in their arms may be broken. The force of a collision may also cause a driver or passengers to experience fractures in other parts of the body, such as the legs or ribs.

• Back injuries - The jolting motion of a collision may result in injuries to the back and spine. A person may experience a herniated disc, which can lead to severe pain, numbness, or weakness in different parts of the body. Strained muscles in the back can limit a person’s range of motion and impair their ability to work or perform other activities. If the spinal cord is damaged, a person may suffer partial or total paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Contact Our Rolling Meadows Rear-End Accident Lawyers

If you have been in a rear-end collision, the lawyers of Newland & Newland, LLP will work with you to fully document your injuries and damages, and we will help you take legal action to recover financial compensation. Contact our Schaumburg car accident attorneys at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://aica.com/most-common-types-of-injuries-in-rear-end-collisions/

https://rushchiropractic.com/what-happens-to-your-body-in-a-rear-end-collision/