What Happens to Your Body When You’re in a Rear-End Collision?

Rear-end car accident injuries can take a long time to develop fully. That is why it is critical to seek medical attention immediately and speak with a knowledgeable attorney right away.

Have you been involved in a rear-end car accident? They are the most frequently occurring type of car accident. In fact, according to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), 29% of all crashes are rear-ended collisions.

Rear-end car accidents can do massive amounts of damage to both your vehicle and the passengers inside. In this situation, you undoubtedly have many questions and concerns about your injuries and accident claim. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we have experience negotiating and litigating with the insurance companies to get our clients the full recovery they deserve.

For dedicated legal assistance with your rear-end collision, call (314) 361-4242 or fill out our online contact form.

What Happens to Your Body?

In a rear-end accident, another vehicle strikes another vehicle from behind. Almost all these collisions occur when the trailing vehicle hits the lead vehicle as it decelerates or stops. In addition, in most of these situations, the lead vehicle cannot escape the accident because they are trapped by the vehicle, red light, or stop sign. In most cases, the lead vehicle never sees it coming.

When you’re car is hit from behind, the impact pushes your body forward. However, your head snaps backward and then forwards as your vehicle comes to a stop. The tremendous amount of force that comes from behind can cause serious injuries, even in a low-speed accident.

The most common types of injuries from rear-end accidents include:

• Whiplash
• Back injuries
• Brain injuries

Whiplash occurs when your head is thrown backward and then forward. This is the most common injury from a rear-end car accident. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, headaches, and stiffness or weakness in the neck. In cases of severe whiplash, nerve injuries can occur, causing pain, weakness, or numbness in the shoulders and arms.

Whiplash can be a tricky injury because victims often experience delayed symptoms. This means they may feel relatively fine right after the accident. It can take up to a week or more after the collision for the full symptoms to appear.

Back injuries are common rear-end accident injuries again due to the tremendous force that hits you from behind. These forces have been known to fracture vertebrae, strain back muscles, and compress intervertebral discs. Ruptured or herniated discs and broken bones can cause back pain. In severe cases, they can place pressure on the spinal cord, leading to pain, numbness, weakness, or even paralysis.

A concussion occurs when the brain hits the inside of the skull. When a vehicle is hit from behind, the force can cause the head to move violently and lead to brain injuries. Confusion, dizziness, loss of consciousness, loss of balance, and drowsiness are all brain injury symptoms. Symptoms can last for weeks, and the long-term effects can be permanent.

Have You Been Involved in a Rear-End Collision?

After a rear-end car crash, there may be very little damage done to your car. Insurance companies take this as a sign that no one was seriously hurt. This is far from the truth of what happens. Rear-end car accident injuries can take a long time to develop fully. That is why it is critical to seek medical attention immediately and speak with a knowledgeable attorney right away. We have experience negotiating and litigating with insurance companies to get our clients the full recovery they deserve.

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