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Common Injuries from Rear-End Car Accidents

Rear end collisions

Rear-end collisions are among the most common crashes in California. Common injuries from rear-end car accidents range from minor cuts, bruises, and soreness, to life-changing issues that can cost huge amounts of money to address.

If you were hit from behind because of another road user’s negligence, you should consult with a rear end collision lawyer.

In this post, we look at some of the most common health complaints rear-end accident victims come to us with.

Whiplash

The force of a rear-end collision often forces the head and neck of a passenger to jolt, leading to whiplash. Whiplash (perhaps the most common injury in rear-end collision cases) can be very painful and long-lasting, restricting your ability to perform routine tasks and requiring extensive medical treatment.

Brain Injuries

The impact of a rear-end collision may cause a jolt to the head, which can potentially cause a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild injuries, such as concussions, to more severe cognitive impairment that impacts your ability to process language, form memories, and execute everyday tasks.

These injuries can give rise to hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs in more serious cases. If you or someone you know has been affected by such an injury, consulting with a brain injury lawyer will help you to understand your rights and potential remedies.

Seatbelt-Related Injuries

While seatbelts are vital to protecting drivers from harm, they can also cause severe bruising and other internal injuries in serious crashes. Rear-end collisions pose a particularly high risk of seatbelt injuries, as passengers in the car that gets hit are thrown forward against the resistance of the belt. This can cause fractures, organ damage, whiplash, and severe bruising.

Broken Bones

A rear-end collision can cause a vehicle to compress, leading to serious injuries like complex fractures. Broken hips, ankles and wrists are just a few examples of fractures that can occur in rear-end collisions. These injuries are expensive, painful and extremely debilitating. The pelvis is said to be the most commonly broken bone in car and motorcycle accidents.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and are highly prevalent in rear-end accidents due to the sudden jolt the body suffers. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function, which can severely impact mobility and quality of life.

Treatment plans for soft-tissue injuries vary; they may comprise pain management, physical therapy, and, in more severe cases, surgery. The more treatment your injury requires, the more extensive your economic damages will be.

Psychological Difficulties

Psychological injuries are common in car accident cases, yet they’re often overlooked, as they may be more difficult to spot than the physical injuries that result from crashes.

In this 2019 study, which examined the mental-health responses of 299 adult car crash survivors to their accident, 46.5% showed at least three of the major symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most common issues the study participants had included:

  • Disturbing memories
  • Difficulties concentrating on work and study post-accident
  • Problems with social functioning
  • Increased problematic consumption of alcohol.

The study concluded that almost half of adult car accident victims will experience PTSD and strongly recommended psychiatric care for people in this position. It noted that those who witness death or have an existing psychiatric issue or disability are at a particularly high level of risk.

Emotional distress can be as debilitating as physical injury, affecting daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life. If you’re struggling in this way, you should mention this to your doctor and seek their advice, so that you can have a holistic recovery process.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries from rear-end accidents can occur due to the sudden and forceful impact against airbags, steering wheels, dashboards, or shattered glass. These injuries range from minor bruises and cuts to more severe conditions like fractures, dental injuries, and deep lacerations requiring surgical intervention. The face’s delicate structure makes it susceptible to long-term aesthetic and functional issues, potentially affecting vision, eating, and speaking.

If you’ve suffered long-term facial injuries, you may be entitled to noneconomic damages for the distress related to changes in your appearance (this is known as “disfigurement”). Noneconomic damages can be significant, so you should discuss this with your lawyer.

Understanding Your Rights

No two collisions are the same. A rear-end collision can cause any number of injuries. In many cases, someone will suffer several injuries in one vehicle accident. To make matters worse, a crash victim might not be fully aware of the injuries they’ve suffered, largely because the human body often goes into shock after a crash.

Consulting with a vehicle accident lawyer can ensure you’re aware of your rights and potential compensations. It’s for this reason that anyone involved in a car wreck should seek immediate medical attention to make sure they haven’t suffered a serious injury.

It’s also important to understand that if your collision was caused by a negligent driver, you can file a personal injury claim to receive compensation for the costs of your injuries. Personal injury claims can help to pay for property damage, medical bills and lost wages stemming from vehicle crashes.

If you or a loved one has suffered a rear-end collision in Southern California, we encourage you to reach out to Neale & Fhima to learn more about your legal options. Our team will provide you with skilled, experienced representation.

To learn more about personal injury claims in California, contact Neale & Fhima to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 888-407-2955.

Attorney Aaron Fhima

Aaron Fhima, California attorneyAaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights. [ Attorney Bio ]

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