Injuries and damage are common in any type of car crash, but there are certain effects more common in rear-end collisions. The injuries that result from being rear-ended (when the front bumper of a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle) range from minor to extreme. In any case, they can burden the victim with ongoing medical costs and vehicle damage costs.
Let’s look at some of the most common physical and emotional effects of rear-end collisions.
7 Most Common Physical Injuries from a Rear-End Car Crash
Rear-end collisions can lead to a variety of injuries, but here are the most common ones:
1. Whiplash
Whiplash can refer to a number of neck or upper back injuries, but they’re all caused by the head and neck being suddenly whipped forward during sudden movement—like in a car crash.
Whiplash is the most common injury in a rear-end car crash. The impact of another vehicle hitting the back of your car, even at slow speeds, can cause your neck to extend beyond its regular range of motion. This sprains (or even tears) soft tissues in the neck, causing injuries that may last more than a year.
Whiplash injuries are often more severe when the driver has no chance to brace for the impact of the collision, which is commonly the cause in a sudden rear-end collision. The head and neck muscles don’t have time to brace for the collision, thus leading to more serious injury.
2. Spine and Back Injuries
Just like with whiplash, spine and back injuries are often worse when the victim doesn’t have time to brace themselves before a collision—like in a rear-end car crash.
Spinal injuries are some of the most serious car crash-related injuries, as they can be long-term and affect a person’s entire life. The force of impact from a rear-end collision can compress the spine and put pressure on the vertebrae, causing soreness, intense lower back pain, and worse injuries that affect quality of life.
3. Head and Brain Injuries
Even if the involved vehicles aren’t going very fast, a rear-end collision can lead to brain or head injuries. If the airbag deploys, it can lead to bruises, broken bones, or burns to the face or scalp. If the head is impaled or struck, concussions, swelling, lacerations, or brain trauma can occur. This is why even if the car crash doesn’t seem bad, head or brain injuries should be taken very serious. Treatment needs for traumatic brain injury may take days or even weeks for the full effects to show, which is why working with a head injury lawyer is crucial if the victim was struck in the head.
4. Broken Ribcage (or Other Broken Bones)
The force of a deploying airbag following a rear-end crash can lead to broken bones in the ribcage or other areas. Other causes of broken bones can include cracked ribs from the seatbelt, loose objects in the vehicle, or the victim’s limbs hitting something solid in the car.
5. Wrist and Arm Injuries
Most of the time right before a rear-end collision occurs, the driver has their hands on the steering wheel. This is especially likely if the driver was the other car has about to hit them from behind and braced their hands for the impact—which can lead to serious wrist, arm, hand, or shoulder injuries.
6. Facial Disfigurement
One of the more serious effects of a rear-end car crash can include facial scarring or disfigurement from impact with objects in the car. These types of injuries can include broken jaw, nose, or cheek bones and require long-term treatment and extreme surgeries to help the victim recovery.
7. Paralysis
If a crash is severe enough to cause extreme brain or spinal injuries, the victim can be left partially or fully paralyzed. These injuries may be irreversible or require years or treatment or physical therapy to pursue recovery.
Who pays for the effects of a car crash?
In Georgia, in most cases, if you are not the one who caused the car wreck then you have a legal right to recover financial damages. In other words, the person who is at fault for the crash is the one who pays for the effects of the crash.
This doesn’t just apply to hospital bills and medication; it normally includes all costs directly caused by the crash. That could include missed work time, vehicle damages, long-term recuperation or physical therapy, and other types of damages caused by the crash. In general, any loss that you experienced related to the crash can be included in your claim for damages.
What about the personal and emotional effects of a rear-end collision?
Along with the physical effects of being rear-ended in a car crash, the full aftermath can be difficult in many ways. You’re likely dealing with mounting medical bills, missed work time, and maybe even emotional distress as a result of the collision. Georgia state law does allow you to recover money for these damages under many circumstances.
The time immediately following a rear-end collision is crucial for pursuing the financial recovery you need to get back on your feet. Although nothing can reverse what happened, receiving money you deserve for your pain and suffering can help bring some peace of mind during a painful and stressful time. It’s important to seek the proper legal counsel so you can properly pursue damages for the effects of the rear-end crash.