Rear-end car crashes can be surprising and cause serious injuries. If you don’t see the crash coming, you could suddenly find yourself in an accident or pushed into the middle of a busy intersection. Fayetteville car accident lawyer Ken Kieklak discusses some common injuries received in rear-end crashes and what you can do to seek compensation for these injuries.
Common Examples of Rear-End Car Crash Injuries
After a car crash, there is a wide range of injuries you might face. The severity of the crash, speed at the time of impact, and the difference in size and weight of the cars often dictates how severe the injuries will be. The site of impact on your car is often one of the biggest factors in determining what injuries might occur, but outside factors like location, weather, and other hazards come into play as well.
The following are all examples of common injuries you can receive in a rear-end crash. Some injuries, like cuts and scrapes, may not be worth discussing unless they are quite severe. Of the injuries below, all are possible in any type of car accident, but some of these are especially common in rear-end collisions.
Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are iconic car accident injuries, but whiplash is even more prevalent in rear-end crashes. Whiplash occurs when your head quickly snaps backward then pushes back forward and is pulled back into position by the muscles and tendons in your neck. When you stop suddenly by hitting an object in front of you, your head usually goes forward first, whereas rear-end crashes send your head backward. This difference makes whiplash injuries more common in rear-end crashes, where the forces and motion are more prone to causing stress and strain on the muscles and tendons of your neck. This is even a common injury in rear-end crashes that occur at low speeds, including parking lot accidents.
Lower Back Injuries
Your spine can suffer serious injuries and discomfort if it is put out of alignment. When your car is rear-ended, the force acts on the car first before it touches you, pushing the seat into your back and pushing your body forward. This sudden force on your back can push your spine out of alignment, and the force of catching on your seatbelt, airbag, or steering wheel can push back the other way. This sudden motion and reverse motion can put significant stress on your spine, potentially causing lower back pain and misalignment. This can even lead to numbness, pain, or tingling in your lower back and legs, including sciatic nerve pain. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, it is important to seek legal counsel from an experienced Crawford, AR spinal cord injury lawyer immediately.
Other Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries
The spinal column works to support your entire body and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord sends signals throughout your body, and any damage to the spinal cord can cause pain, numbness, a “pins-and-needles” sensation, or complete paralysis below the point of injury. Spinal cord injury can occur any time you face a back injury, neck injury, or injury to the bones in your back. Because your back is usually struck first in a rear-end collision, it is not surprising that you can face other back, neck, and spine injuries alongside whiplash and lower back injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered from a spinal injury, it is important to contact an experienced Arkansas spine injuries attorney immediately to explore your workers comp. options.
Head Injuries
If you hit your head during a car crash, you could face serious injuries like concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussions and brain injury occur when something strikes you in the head hard enough to move your brain within the skull, and the brain strikes against the wall of your skull. Alternatively, serious TBI can occur when something cracks your skull or penetrates through it, damaging the brain directly. These injuries have a wide range of potential severity, and symptoms can vary greatly from case to case. It is always important to seek medical care for head injuries to understand the severity of the injury and how much medical care is required. Brain bleeds and other brain injuries can often lead to death if left untreated.
Broken Bones
The force on your body in a rear-end crash can push you against the steering column or another part of the car, potentially causing broken bone injuries. Bones in your spine can be fractured or shattered, and you can face skull fractures and other broken bones in your face, shoulders, and ribs. You may also break your arms or legs if part of the driver’s area is crushed in or you are forced against your steering wheel or dashboard. These injuries can all be severe and require surgery to properly reset the bones and encourage proper healing and recovery.
Arkansas Car Accident Injury Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
If you were involved in a rear-end collision, you may be entitled to substantial damages for your injuries. Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak may be able to help you file a lawsuit to claim damages for your injuries. For a free consultation on your case and help understanding your next steps, contact Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, today at (479) 316-0438.