What Are Common Rear-End Collision Injuries?
Just as there are specific types of car accidents, there are also specific types of car accident injuries. If you were recently involved in a rear-end collision, any aches and pains you experienced later could be results of that incident. Knowing what to tie to the accident and what to link to medical or health conditions may help you better understand when you may have a legal case on your hands.
Spinal Fractures
Did your rear-end collision happen at a high speed? If so, you may have sustained a spinal fracture. This injury occurs when the body experiences intense jostling during the accident, which can lead to spinal vertebrae breaks such as compression fractures. Besides fractures, the spine can experience various stress injuries.
Whiplash
One of the more common car accident injuries, whiplash injuries may result from rapid neck and head movement. The neck’s soft tissues endure damage, along with the upper back, resulting in mild to severe injuries.
Airbag Injuries
Rear-end collisions strong enough to activate the airbag may also turn into airbag injuries. An airbag’s inflating power can burn a person’s scalp or face and even break the nose or rib bones.
Spinal Cord Paralysis
Other than spinal fractures, rear-end car accidents may cause spinal cord paralysis. The impact may reach parts of the brain or spinal discs, which can trigger degrees of paralysis.
Herniated Discs
Cushioning spinal discs may endure damage, moving them out of place. Indicators include ranging degrees of numbness, tingling, back pain and paralysis. With herniation, patients must pay close attention to the signs, because herniated disc symptoms may go misdiagnosed or delayed as a result of shock. Another key fact of disc herniation is that it may impact multiple areas of the body, including the knees, legs or feet.
Concussion
When car accident forces cause head trauma in victims, a concussion may result. This injury typically happens when the brain strikes the inside of the skull, which may bruise and compress tissue.
One thing that makes concussions so dangerous in the aftermath of an accident is that symptoms may not appear until a day or more after the incident. Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident of any kind must look out for concussion symptoms such as nausea, incoordination and disorientation. A person may also experience dizziness, blurred vision, light and sound sensitivity, or trouble concentrating. Any indication of symptoms requires immediate medical attention.
Soft Tissue Damage
Violent jolts may trigger trauma to the soft tissues of the body. Even if a rear-end collision occurs at low speed, it may cause head trauma such as mobility damage and inflammation. Common signs of soft tissue damage include neck pain, headaches, impaired vision, dizziness and pain between the shoulder blades.
Like with concussions, one must be vigilant for signs of soft tissue damage. Adrenaline often floods the body during shocking events such as car accidents, which may mask pains and aches long after the incident. It is not uncommon for soft tissue damage to go unnoticed for weeks following an accident. No matter when the person notices indications of damage, receiving medical treatment is vital.
Brain Injury
If a person was not wearing a seatbelt when a car accident happens, the resulting force may throw the individual around inside the vehicle against the steering wheel, windshield or dashboard. This can lead to brain injuries, which require immediate medical attention. Common indications of brain injury include trouble sleeping, nausea, issues with speech, loss of consciousness and disorientation. With brain injuries, the longer symptoms go unnoticed and untreated, the more expensive necessary treatment can become.
Broken Bones
Though broken bones eventually heal, they require close attention after rear-end collisions. Compound fractures and broken bones often result from such car accidents. These injuries could lead to worsening medical conditions such as internal injuries and secondary infections. While healing, bones may fuse incorrectly, potentially leading to lifelong deformity or chronic pain. Even a bone that recovers and rebuilds properly may cause reduced functionality.
Facial Disfigurement
Depending on vehicle speed during a rear-end collision, the impact may be strong enough to cause a person to strike something in the vehicle. The face may become disfigured, occasionally requiring invasive surgeries and treatment and resulting in various medical issues. Examples of facial damage and disfigurement include broken jaw, cheekbone and nose and even retinal detachment.
Arm and Wrist Injuries
Drivers often have their hands on the steering wheel during auto accidents, which may lead to serious wrist, arm and hand injuries. Common examples of wrist and arm injuries in car crashes include dislocated shoulder and sprained or broken wrists.
Seat Belt Injuries
Though seatbelts were designed to prevent and lessen injury impact, that same design may cause injuries. Rear-end auto collision impact may tighten a seatbelt around a person’s body to keep the individual in the seat. The resulting forward motion could slice into the body or skin, or bruise or lacerate the skin.
The Importance of Immediate Medical Attention
No matter what type of injuries you endure as a result of a rear-end car accident, you must seek immediate medical attention. Brushing your symptoms off could lead to delayed treatment, which may result in additional time off work to recover. This in turn means you may go longer without receiving a stable income.
Another reason to take immediate action for any degree of discomfort experienced in the aftermath of an accident is that time is of the essence with legal matters. You do not want to risk passing the statute of limitations, which limits how much time you have to take legal action. Even if your accident did not happen recently, you may still have time to file a lawsuit.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer
Is there a chance you suffered damage from a rear-end collision? Do not risk paying for someone else’s negligence on the road; consult with a legal advocate to protect your rights and health. Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
