Rear-End Collisions: Common Causes, Common Injuries And How We Can Help
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of motor vehicle accident in the United States, accounting for about a third of all car crashes, and resulting in 17,000 fatalities and half a million injuries each year. Even at relatively slow speeds, the injuries sustained in a crash can be serious and catastrophic.
The Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision may result from a number of factors:
- Distracted driving — As cellphones and other handheld devices have become commonplace, more and more drivers are taking their attention away from the road. Distracted driving is now the primary cause of collisions from behind.
- Tailgating – As the pace of our lives has increased, so too has aggressive driving, which often is characterized by drivers pushing the motorists in front of them either to drive faster or get out of the way.
- Speeding – Also a byproduct of the increasingly frenetic pace of modern life, traveling at speeds significantly in excess of the speed limit makes it difficult or impossible to come to a sudden or quick stop.
- Drowsy driving – Modern life is 24/7 and that applies to the roadways, too. Unfortunately, many people get behind the wheel even though they haven’t gotten adequate rest. Such drivers can easily be lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the road.
- Impaired driving – The use of alcohol or drugs has been scientifically proven to have a negative impact on reaction times, as well as critical thinking behind the wheel.
Typical Injuries Suffered in a Rear-End Collision
Though rear-end impact can lead to a host of injuries, the most common physical consequence of such a crash is whiplash. With a whiplash injury, your neck and head simulate the cracking of a whip. The initial impact causes your head to violently snap backward and then jerk forward. This motion can lead to tears and strains in muscles, tendons and ligaments, as well as inflammation and swelling that can cause headaches, loss of range of motion, numbness, dizziness, and pain that radiates through your upper extremities.
Other injuries frequently associated with rear-end crashes include:
- Cuts (lacerations) and bruises (contusions) to the face, chest or stomach from hitting the dashboard or from deployment of the airbag.
- Neck and spinal cord injury, including cracked or broken vertebrae, herniated discs, pinched nerves, joint injuries and sprains, strains and soft-tissue trauma.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – If your head strikes any stationary object, such as a dashboard, window, windshield or steering wheel, you may suffer a concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury) or more severe TBI. If your brain bounces off your skull in the accident, there can be significant swelling, which can lead to deprivation of oxygen to the brain, causing stroke and other cognitive injuries.
- Broken bones – Rib fractures are common in rear-end collisions, and the impact also can lead to a broken ankle, leg, arm or wrist.
- Injuries caused by seatbelts – In a high-impact crash where your seatbelt holds you tightly in place, you can suffer injury to your chest and abdomen, as well as internal organs.
How We Can Help You After a Rear-End Accident
We will be your advocate throughout the legal process, carefully investigating the details of your accident and gathering and preserving evidence. We will travel to the scene of the crash, if necessary, and bring in expert witnesses to help present a clear and compelling case to the judge and jury. We will prepare and file all documents required throughout the process and be a strong voice for you in all hearings and proceedings, including trial. We will also serve as your liaison with insurance providers.
Contact the Proven Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law office of Bailey & Galyen, we bring more than 30 years of experience to people hurt in any type of motor vehicle accident. To set up a free initial consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys, contact us by online or call our offices at 844-402-2992. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
