Rear-End Collision Injuries

Many car wrecks occur in the blink of an eye, including rear-end accidents. They happen quickly, giving you no time to move out of the way or avoid the impact. 

Unfortunately, these types of collisions often result in serious injuries that require plenty of medical treatment. In the most serious cases, rear-end car accident injuries can leave you facing life-changing circumstances and even the possibility of death. 

If you have suffered rear-end collision injuries, you’re not alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide legal guidance to help put you on the path to obtaining the financial recovery you need for your injuries. 

Understanding Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end collision involves a driver hitting a vehicle from behind. Rear-end accidents are often caused by driver negligence, involving any of the following:

Additionally, one of the most significant causes of rear-end wrecks is tailgating. Tailgating occurs when a rear driver follows the car in front too closely. If the vehicle in front slows or stops, the rear driver has a higher chance of running into the front driver, as they have less time and distance to stop safely.

Rear-end accident cases also arise out of brake checking. Brake checking involves slamming on breaks unexpectedly to scare or shock the driver in the back. This unsafe driving practice regularly results in rear-end collisions. However, the complication is in determining liability — it can appear that the rear driver is at fault when in reality, it’s the front driver. 

Rear-end collision cases are unique and complicated in many aspects. Along with the challenges they bring, these collisions often result in extensive property damage and significant injuries. 

Common Rear-End Car Accident Injuries

  1. Whiplash
  2. Brain Injuries
  3. Back Sprains and Strains
  4. Spinal Injuries
  5. Internal Injuries

Rear-end collision injuries can be serious and in some cases life-threatening. The following are the most common types of injuries victims of rear-end collisions suffer. 

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is likely the most common injury suffered by victims of rear-end collisions. 

Whiplash is an injury to the neck that occurs due to sudden and forceful movement back and forth. The injury gets its name because of the movement the head and neck make, similar to how a whip moves. Whiplash is a serious strain of the neck that could result in long-term effects.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Severe neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck
  • Headaches
  • Numbness or tingling running down the arms
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears

You can recover from whiplash with minimal treatment, like rest, pain medication, and physical therapy. However, in some cases, whiplash results in long-lasting symptoms, like chronic pain and limited range of motion. 

2. Brain Injuries

The movement the head can make during a rear-end collision often causes brain injuries, especially when the head hits something hard, like the steering wheel. Some of the common types of brain injuries include:

  • Concussions
  • Contusions
  • Hematoma
  • Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
  • Coup-contrecoup

Signs and symptoms of brain injuries vary, depending on the type of injury, but could include any of the following:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Disorientation
  • Fatigue
  • Visual problems
  • Memory loss
  • Loss of balance
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Seizures

Brain injuries are particularly serious injuries. They frequently cause life-altering effects, and in the most severe cases, they cause death. 

3. Back Sprains and Strains

The back can be affected by rear-end collisions in two ways: either soft-tissue injuries to muscles and tendons or spinal cord injuries. 

Sprains and strains in the back occur regularly, causing extensive pain, cramps, and reduced range of motion. 

4. Spinal Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are usually the worst back injuries, as they can affect victims in the long term and require extensive medical treatment. These injuries typically involve harm to the discs in the spine, including herniation. 

Symptoms of spinal cord injuries can include:

  • Extreme back pain or pressure
  • Numbness or tingling in the extremities, including the hands or feet
  • Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body, including the legs
  • Difficulty balancing and walking
  • Impaired breathing

Spinal cord injuries can result in the need for surgery and rehabilitation, and in serious cases, these injuries can lead to paralysis. 

5. Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can occur in several ways, but they often happen when some part of the body, like the torso, suffers trauma. Common types of internal injuries resulting from collisions include:

  • Internal bleeding
  • Broken ribs
  • Ruptured spleen
  • Pneumothorax
  • Organ damage
  • Abdominal aorta rupture

The primary issue with internal injuries is that, on many occasions, car accident victims have no idea they’ve suffered any injuries. Many internal injuries don’t show any immediate signs, so you may believe you walked away unscathed. 

This is one of the most important reasons to seek medical attention after an accident. Internal injuries, among other types of rear-end accident injuries, don’t exhibit signs or symptoms right after the collision. If treated too late, internal injuries can be fatal. 

Seek Financial Compensation for Your Rear-End Collision Injuries

Rear-end car accident injuries regularly result in the need for substantial medical treatment. Medical care is expensive, and your medical bills may quickly pile up, putting you in a compromised position financially. 

If your rear-end accident is not your fault, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden. Filing a personal injury claim may allow you to pursue financial recovery for your injuries. A personal injury attorney can give you the legal guidance you need to file your claim and achieve the best possible outcome.

Since 1992, our personal injury attorneys at the Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP. have been fighting for the people of San Diego. Now, when those injured in automobile accidents – including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents – need financial help, or for the families that need to know that the loss of a loved one could have been prevented, there is a personal injury law firm in San Diego that is on their side. If you or a family member has been injured, call the lawyers at Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP. There’s never been a better time than right now to speak to a personal injury attorney—FREE of charge. Call us at 858-551-2090 or request a free consultation online today!