Car accidents as a result of
rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accidents that occur. It is
estimated that approximately 2.5 million rear-end accidents happen each year.
Statistics show that out of every one million registered automobiles, about six
will suffer a fatality as a result of a car accident. A large number of these accidents happen due
to drivers not paying proper attention while they are on the road. The
unfortunate outcome is often the driver rear-ending another vehicle. As
expected, the frequency of these accidents increases with more drivers texting,
using cell phones, and other distracting car features while they are driving.
The up-side is that injuries that are occur from rear-end collisions are
usually not as serious as head on collisions.
Types of Injuries Sustained From Rear-End Car
Accidents
There are a wide range of
bodily injuries that can a person can suffer as a result of being rear-ended by
an inattentive driver. Some of the most common types of injuries that occur
from these types of car accidents include brain injury or TBI – traumatic brain
injury, wrongful death, soft tissue injury, spinal cord injury, compression
fractures of the spine, low back sprains, and hip and other types of fractures.
People may also sustain knee injuries, ankle fractures and sprains, neurologic
injuries, other orthopedic injuries and the most common which is hyperextension
of the neck or whiplash.
Soft Tissue Injuries
A Soft tissue sprain or
strain injury to the neck is often a result of the motion that a person’s neck
undergoes during a rear-end accident. The forward flexing of the neck proceeded
by backwards extending of the neck is what causes the whiplash and soft tissue
injury to the body within the cervical and upper thoracic spinal areas.
At the moment of impact
during a rear-end collision, the driver’s head is forcefully pushed in
excessive flexion or excessive extension. Certain reflexes which protect the
body cause the muscles in the neck to immediately contract creating the sudden
whipping effect to move the head back in the opposite direction.
The soft
tissue injury which occurs as a result causes a slew of different symptoms from
pain and soreness to headaches and limited range of neck movement.
If You Have Been Injured In a Rear-End Collision
Experiencing a rear-end
collision is an unfortunate experience to have to go through. Having to suffer
a soft tissue injury from it as a result of another driver’s carelessness
compounds the stress and fear that you may already feel. The trauma and
injuries from a car accident can have life-changing effects on both you and
your family.
If you or a loved one has
suffered a soft tissue injury from a rear-end car accident, it is important to
seek proper medical treatment as well as know your legal rights. Call a
personal injury attorney who can help protect your rights and gain the
compensation you need.
