According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes are the most common type of car accident (29% of the total) in the United States. A rear-end collision can result in several different types of injuries.
Some of the most common include:
Whiplash
If your vehicle is impacted from the rear, it will likely move forward rapidly. This can cause your neck to move quickly forward and backward beyond its normal range of motion. As a result, the muscles and tendons can stretch and tear. This is known as whiplash and symptoms include neck pain, tight neck muscles, and headaches. In many cases, these injuries can take time to appear.
Wrist, Arm, and Shoulder Injuries
During a rear-end collision, the driver of the front car is typically gripping the steering wheel. The sudden impact can lead to broken wrists, fractures in the arm, shoulder dislocation, and more. These injuries can often impact your ability to work, resulting in lost wages.
Knee Injuries
A rear-end accident can cause your knees to slam into the dashboard. If your shinbone pushes inward, it can tear the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which is just below your knee cap. This is known as dashboard knee. Other types of knee injuries can also occur in a rear-end collision including fractures, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tearing, and/or dislocation.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when your brain collides with your skull. These can range from mild (concussions) to severe. If the damage was serious, a TBI could result in lifelong disability and impairment. In some cases, brain injuries can lead to paralysis. TBIs may occur during rear-end car accidents as a result of rapid back-and-forth motion.
Facial Injuries
The sudden motion of a rear-end collision can cause objects in the car to fly toward your face or can propel you forward. This can result in facial injuries including bruises, lacerations, and even nerve damage. In severe cases, your face could be permanently scarred or disfigured.
What to Do After a Rear-End Collision
If you are able to, collect the information of the other driver(s) at the scene of the accident and take photos of the crash. It is important that you do not make any statements prior to speaking with an attorney. After any type of car accident, you should seek medical attention. Even if you do not notice any issues, some injuries can be hidden at first. Once you have gotten the treatment you need, you should contact a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can help you navigate the legal aspects of your case while you focus on recovering from the accident.
Local Tucson Car Accident Lawyers
At Grabb & Durando, we have been helping Tucson car accident victims for over 25 years. We will fight for you and will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.