Back And Neck Injuries Sustained In Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of crashes in the U.S. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents also tend to result in serious back and neck injuries, even in cases with relatively minor impacts. Fortunately, accident victims who can prove that someone else’s negligence was the cause of their collision could be entitled to damages compensating them for medical bills and related losses. To learn more, please reach out to an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney in your area.

Understanding Rear-End Collisions

Millions of people are involved in car accidents in the U.S. every year. While these collisions range from head-on crashes to t-bone collisions, there are certain types of accidents that are particularly common. Rear-end car accidents are, for instance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most common type of collision, with nearly a third of all accidents falling under this category.

As their name suggests, rear-end crashes occur when a vehicle strikes another car from behind. Often, this happens when a vehicle is stationary or comes to a stop and the vehicle following is unable to slow down in time to avoid a collision. Whether the initial stop was the result of slowed or stopped traffic, preparing to turn, or approaching an intersection, it is the vehicle in the rear who is responsible for responding to a change in speed. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to use the care that they should, which can result in a rear-end crash. In most cases, rear-end accidents can be attributed to a few different causes, including:

• Following too closely;
• Speeding;
• Using a phone;
• Using in-vehicle technologies;
• Daydreaming;
• Falling asleep at the wheel;
• Eating or drinking; and
• Drug or alcohol use.

For help determining the cause of your own rear-end crash, please reach out to our office today.

Neck Injuries

Whiplash is the most common neck injury from which rear-end accident victims suffer. These kinds of injuries occur when a victim’s body sustains the force of impact, causing his or her neck to move abruptly beyond its usual range of motion. Typical whiplash symptoms include everything from neck pain and stiffness to a decreased range of motion and headaches. Some victims may even suffer from tingling or numbness in the arms or hands, blurred vision, and tinnitus, often for years to come. Unfortunately, the symptoms associated with whiplash aren’t always immediately apparent, so car accident victims often think that they have avoided an injury, when in reality, their symptoms are only delayed.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are another common injury experienced by rear-end accident victims. A few types are particularly common, including:

• Herniated and slipped disks, which can cause numbness and pain;
• Spinal fractures, which can in turn, place additional pressure on the spinal column, reducing mobility and causing numbness;
• Spinal cord injuries, which occur when the nerve structure as the spine is damaged and can result in partial or total paralysis.

Back injuries, like neck injuries, don’t always show up immediately after a crash, so it is important for those who have been involved in rear-end crashes to seek medical attention as soon as possible after their accident.

Call Today for Help

To speak with an experienced car accident lawyer about the facts of your own case, please call Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 today.

Resource:

nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/analyses20of20rear-end20crashes20and20near-crashes20dot20hs2081020846.pdf