Rear-End Car Accident Injuries and Ways That You Can Recover

Bill Allen | December 8, 2020 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Gainesville Florida

Unfortunately, rear-end automobile collisions are very common events. They sometimes happen when one car is sitting still at an intersection and the other strikes from behind. Other times, a sudden attempted stop can result in a car crash when one vehicle is following another too closely.

No matter how they happen, rear-end collisions are incredibly nerve-racking and traumatic occurrences. This type of accident often causes injuries for those in the car that has been rear-ended.

If you have suffered injuries from a rear-end collision, you have the right to seek compensation from any responsible parties. A car accident attorney can help you to recover financially from the related costs and losses. 

Below, we explore a few relevant issues and tips to help you understand rear-end collision injuries.

Actions to Take Following a Rear-End Collision Injury

The immediate aftermath of any vehicular collision is profoundly stressful for everyone involved. In the moment, you will probably feel very tense and may be at a loss for what to do. While anxiety and panic are normal reactions in this situation, take the following steps as soon as possible:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The most important concern after any crash is your bodily health and safety. Regardless of the severity of the collision, you should seek immediate medical attention. This is true even if you don’t feel any aches or pains. Injuries can occur even if the accident was a minor one. 

We will discuss the specifics of common injuries below. But even a small fender-bender collision can result in bodily harm. Some injuries may not be noticeable at first. A broken arm will be immediately obvious, but the same cannot be said for whiplash or brain injury.

Do not overlook or try to ignore any symptoms of potential injuries, such as headaches or other pains. Seek a medical examination as soon as possible after a rear-end collision.

Collect Photo or Video Documentation of the Crash

After attending to the health and safety of those involved, be sure to collect documentation of the damage. You can use a phone’s camera or video features to gather evidence of the damage to your vehicle.

You should collect this evidence even if it seems that the harm to your car is minimal. Even photos of a dented fender or broken tail light may be useful in the claims process. This is especially true if your claim later requires court action. 

Exchange Information with Other Involved Parties

Once you have attended to issues of safety and collected evidence of the damage to your car, you should trade information with the other drivers. 

Be sure to get their names, telephone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers. If possible, you can also collect email addresses and VIN numbers.

You should take the previous steps immediately after a rear-end collision. You should also make it a priority to speak with a trusted car accident attorney as soon as possible. In a rear-end car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for the associated costs and damages.

You do not deserve the stress of unexpected and unearned economic losses from vehicular property damage and medical treatments. An expert legal advocate will help you to calculate the total cost of the collision to you and seek appropriate financial recovery.

Typical Rear-End Collisions and Common Injuries 

In a rear-end vehicular collision, the leading car suffers a sudden and intense acceleration when the rear vehicle rams into it. Simultaneously, the rear vehicle experiences an abrupt deceleration. 

Drivers and passengers of either vehicle may suffer injuries from such a crash. However, injuries are much more likely for the occupants of the leading vehicle. This is due to the fact that cars have very few safety features to protect against damage caused by abrupt acceleration.

As we mentioned above, even a minor rear-end collision is dangerous. Some of the common injuries from rear-end crashes include:

Whiplash Injury

While it is a common injury for many types of car crashes, whiplash is especially likely if you have been rear-ended. When your car is struck abruptly from behind, your torso plunges forward more quickly than your head and neck. 

This motion causes your spinal column to form an “S” shape for a split second, which compresses the discs in the middle of your back. Then, the force from the impact travels up your spine, causing your cervical spine to form a “C” shape. 

The end result is that your spinal cord experiences a momentary whipping motion from the inverse movements of your head and torso. Whiplash injuries are incredibly serious. They can cause significant damage to the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues in your back.

Spinal Injuries

Whiplash injuries involve harm to the soft tissues in your back. Spinal injuries, on the other hand, occur when you suffer damage to your discs or vertebrae. These injuries can take months to heal and often require surgeries. 

Another possible symptom of spinal injuries is some level of paralysis due to spinal nerve damage. If you have experienced a spinal injury from a rear-end car accident, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.  

Brain Injuries

When your body has experienced the whipping motion from a rear-end crash, brain injury is another possible outcome. If your brain has been injured, the effects may not be immediately apparent. 

Cognitive, motor, and emotional dysfunction from a brain injury sometimes only appear in the weeks or months following the accident. This is why you should seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not feel hurt in the moments after the rear-end collision.

Rear-end car accidents are incredibly taxing physically, emotionally, and financially. If you have been injured in a rear-end crash and are facing overwhelming financial costs, you should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Obtaining skilled legal counsel can help you to secure financial recovery, so that you can focus on regaining your physical health and well-being.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258