A very common type of accident is the rear-end collision, so it’s important to understand the common injuries associated with this type of accident. When a rear-end collision happens, the car being hit can have very little warning of the impending crash. As a result, these common injuries can be exacerbated.
Below are the most common accident-related injuries you may sustain if your car is rear-ended by another driver:
- Neck Injuries –Anytime your car is hit from behind, your neck will snap back, then forward. This often results in a hyperflexion or hyperextension injury, sometimes known as whiplash. These types of injuries can range from mild to severe and may prove to be permanently disabling. Some related injuries, like herniated discs, can be even more serious.
- Back Injuries – Strains, herniated discs and sprains in the mid and lower back can also happen when you are hit from the rear. This type of injury can be worse if the victim is unaware of the impending calamity. There is an increased chance that an occupant will be engaging in an activity when the car is at a stop. Rummaging for something in the seat behind or leaning over to another occupant can place your body in a compromised position. If a rear-end collision were to happen at this point, the benefits of the safety features in the car (seatbelt, headrest, etc.) are bypassed.
- Head and Face Injuries – Your head and face may hit your windshield or steering wheel when you’re hit from behind, which can result in lacerations, concussions, bruises or worse. It’s also possible that you can suffer a concussion even when you don’t hit anything in the car. The very violent front and back movement of your head can cause injuries to your brain because it hits your skull’s interior.
- Shoulder, Wrist and Hand Injuries – These often happen when your arms and hands become jammed into the steering wheel due to the impact.
- Seatbelt Injuries – When your shoulder harness and seatbelt engage, it can lead to bruising.
- Airbag Injuries –The airbag of your car might deploy if an accident makes you hit the car ahead of you. The contents of your airbag can sometimes cause burns. If you aren’t holding the steering wheel properly, the airbag can severely bruise and burn your wrists or forearms.
In a rear-end collision, it’s almost always the trailing driver’s fault because they were driving too closely to the car ahead of them. These types of accidents often are preventable by simply providing yourself enough space to stop if the car in front of you brakes suddenly. Unfortunately, as the lead car, you are not always in control of others tailgating you.