Rear-end crashes are relatively common, especially on roads with heavy traffic. Distracted driving, tailgating and other unsafe traffic choices can lead to one driver hitting the rear end of another driver’s vehicle.
Many people associate rear-end crashes with whiplash and similar soft tissue injuries. While soft tissue injuries can be more serious than people realize, there are other, more significant injuries associated with rear-end collisions. The three types of injuries below can all have major financial and medical implications.
1. Broken bones
At higher speeds, rear-end crashes can be severe enough to cause fractures. Occupants of either vehicle could potentially break bones, which may leave them in pain and unable to work for weeks until they heal.
2. Traumatic brain injuries
Rear-end crashes typically cause abrupt back-and-forth motions. People may get their heads on steering wheels or vehicle dashboards. Blunt force trauma to the head can cause bleeding or swelling in the skull, which can lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can cause permanent functional challenges and can be very costly to treat.
3. Spinal cord injuries
The violent back-and-forth motion of a rear-end crash can damage the spinal cord, not just the muscles in the neck and shoulders. People can sustain both incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries in rear-end crashes. When the injuries sustained in the collision are significant, the person hurt may face a lengthy recovery.
Insurance claims and litigation can cover medical expenses and lost wages after a serious collision. Discussing a recent car crash with a lawyer can help people understand their options for covering their losses accordingly.