Rear-end collisions happen in a wide variety of different settings. Drivers may strike other cars in parking lots or at stop signs in residential areas. More severe accidents can occur when drivers ignore stop signs or drive faster than the speed limit and strike another car in the process. No matter the situation, these accidents can cause serious injuries.
1. Broken bones and fractures
The force of a car crash can easily cause broken bones, and rear-end collisions are no exception. A victim’s head or hands can easily strike the steering wheel or dashboard in a collision. Victims may also mistake these fractures for muscle soreness or bruising, putting them at increased risk of reinjury and causing long-term pain.
2. Whiplash
One of the most common injuries suffered in a rear-end collision is whiplash, a neck injury that occurs when the head moves suddenly forward and back. The damage done to the neck can cause neck pain, limit range of motion, cause dizziness, impact victims sleep and impair their concentration and memory.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
Just like the sudden impact of a car crash can damage the neck, it can cause the brain to strike the interior of the skull and cause concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. The damage done to the brain can cause memory loss, disorientation, difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness and loss of consciousness.
4. Spinal injuries
The impact of a crash can cause damage to the spine, including herniated disks. This can result in severe pain or numbness in the back or extremities.
5. Paralysis
While many back and neck injuries sustained in a rear-end collision will heal with time, the most severe spinal injuries can lead to either temporary or permanent paralysis. This is especially a risk for rear-end collisions at higher speeds.
In addition to these injuries—injuries that may take months or years to recover from—rear-end collisions account for 7% of fatal crashes on America’s roadways.
Victims of rear-end collisions and their families may be entitled to compensation after a crash. This money could help them get the medical care they need to recover from their injuries.