Common Injuries Caused by Rear-End Collisions
Read-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents and a leading cause of personal injuries. Rear-end crashes typically occur because of an unexpected stop in the flow of traffic or because of a distracted or intoxicated driver. When the crash occurs with a long line-up of stopped vehicles, the impact can affect several cars. According to data from the National Traffic Safety Bureau (NTSB), there were more than 1.7 million rear-end car crashes in 2012 alone that resulted in more than 1,700 fatalities and 500,000 injured people.
Causes of rear-end crashes
The most common factors that play into rear-end collisions are:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Distractions on the road
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Inhibited vision from rain or sun glare
- Tailgating
- Road rage
- Racing
- Failing to notice a sudden stop in traffic, particularly on the freeway.
Most common injuries from rear-end collisions
There are a wide range of injuries that can result from a rear-end car accident but the most common include:
- Spine injuries (most common injury caused by this type of collision).
- Whiplash caused by the sudden, violent movement of the neck and head upon impact.
- Broken bones; particularly in hands, spine, feet, skull and ribcage.
- Traumatic brain injury: can be from a skull fracture, an object piercing the skull and brain or a concussion caused by impact. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), motor vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of TBI (17.3%) but resulted in the biggest percentage of TBI-related deaths (31.8%).
- Facial disfigurement/scarring occur when a driver or passenger is thrown violently against the dashboard or headrest instead of into an airbag.
- Partial or complete paralysis occurs when the injury to the brain or spine is severe. The particular spinal discs or the portion of the brain affected will also dictate the type of paralysis.
What should you do after a rear-end collision?
- Contact emergency personnel if you are injured to seek treatment
- Take pictures of the scene and your injuries if possible
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers(s) and witnesses
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer
You will want to work with a car accident lawyer to help you get the best settlement possible to help pay for medical bills/rehabilitation, lost wages while you recover (or permanent loss of ability to work), pain and suffering and more. Personal injury clients pay only a percentage of their settlement.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
