Rear-end collisions are relatively common. They have become a more pressing safety concern in recent years due to increased distraction on the road. Motorists handling their mobile devices may fail to notice when vehicles in front of them slow down or stop.
Although many people consider rear-end crashes fender benders, they can cause severe injuries or even lead to someone dying. Numerous injuries have a strong association with rear-end crashes, with the three below being among the most concerning.
1. Spinal cord injuries
Most people know that rear-end crashes can cause whiplash by causing violent motions of the head. Fewer people recognize that the abrupt motions of a rear-end crash could cause spinal cord damage. Both complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries can have massive financial implications and cause lasting functional limitations.
2. Traumatic brain injuries
People might hit their heads on the steering column, the dashboard or a window in a rear-end crash. What force trauma is a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Swelling and bleeding inside the skull can lead to a variety of serious symptoms that may progress over time without treatment. Some of those symptoms may also be permanent, causing lifetime challenges.
3. Major fractures
People may break bones because they brace immediately before the impact of a crash or because of how the vehicle crumples. Fractures can leave people unable to work for weeks. More serious broken bones may even require surgery and physical therapy for a full recovery.
Major rear-end crash injuries can cause medical expenses and lost wages that exceed the policy limits of the driver at fault. Working with a personal injury attorney can help those hurt in a rear-end crash negotiate insurance claims and take legal action if necessary to recoup their losses.