Most Common Injuries from Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents are incredibly common on the roadway, usually caused by individuals following other vehicles too closely. Even though these incidents are common, they can still lead to significant injuries that lead to long-term setbacks for those involved. Here, we want to examine some of the most common rear-end accident injuries that occur on Georgia roadways.
How Common Are Rear-End Accidents
Data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that rear-end collisions are responsible for approximately 29% of all crashes across the country. However, when most people think of rear-end collisions, they think of relatively minor injuries. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the case. Rear-end collisions often lead to severe injuries for those involved.
When a vehicle is rear-ended, the bodies of the passengers inside the vehicle go through various movements and stresses, typically leading to some type of injury. Often, rear-end collisions lead to the rapid back-and-forth jerking of passengers’ upper bodies, including their heads and necks. The level and severity of the movement will depend on whether or not a person was restrained as well as other factors such as whether an airbag was deployed or if an individual strikes the steering column, dashboard, or seat in front of them.
Some of the most common injuries caused by a rear-end collision include the following:
- Whiplash. Whiplash is the most common injury experienced as a result of a rear-end collision, and this is characterized by the “whipping” motion that the upper body goes through that affects the head and neck. Severe whiplash can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands, as well as severe headaches.
- Seat belt injuries. Even though seatbelts save lives, they can also lead to various types of injuries in a rear-end accident. When a vehicle crash occurs come on the seat belt tightens in order to prevent drivers and passengers from striking the steering wheel, the dashboard, or the windshield. As a result of this tightening, the seat belt could cause abrasions on the skin as well as various types of internal damage, depending on the force of the impact.
- Back injuries. There are various ways that the spinal column and the muscles and tendons in the back can become injured in a rear-end collision. This can include a disc herniation or rupture as well as whiplash-like sprains and strains throughout different areas of the back.
- Head injuries. Whenever a rear-end collision occurs, this could lead to individuals striking their heads on fixed objects in the vehicle, such as the dash, windshield, or steering column. This can lead to anywhere from a minor concussion to a more severe traumatic brain injury.
- Face injuries. The same mechanism of injury that causes a head injury can also lead to facial injuries. If the face strikes any fixed object in the vehicle, it can lead to fractures or lacerations.
Working With an Attorney
Any individual who sustains injuries caused by a rear-end collision needs to speak to a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can work together the evidence needed to prove liability and help their client recover maximum compensation for rear-end accident injuries.