Accident victims can suffer a variety of injuries after being rear-ended. But you need to be aware of some injuries commonly associated with rear-end collisions to get the medical care and legal advice you need.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision is a common type of auto accident where one vehicle hits another from behind. While rear-end collisions often happen at low speeds, they can still cause injuries. We’ll explain injuries commonly associated with rear-end collisions so you know what to look for after such an accident.
Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash occurs when the head snaps backward and then forward suddenly, which causes the neck to hyperflex and hyperextend. This motion can strain or damage the soft tissues in the neck, sometimes leading to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and, in some cases, cognitive issues.
Whiplash injuries may not present immediately after the collision, so it’s important to seek medical attention right away, even if you do not have any symptoms.
Head and Brain Injuries
The impact in a rear-end collision can cause a victim’s head to hit the headrest with force. This impact can cause head injuries like concussions, contusions, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even at a low speed, the sudden neck and head movement can cause the brain to move inside the skull, resulting in injury.
Head injuries can cause serious, life-long issues, so if you think you’ve suffered such an injury or are experiencing dizziness, frequent headaches, or confusion, seek immediate medical attention.
Back and Spinal Injuries
The impact from a rear-end collision can cause injuries that affect the spine, including herniated discs, fractures, and injuries to the spinal cord itself. These injuries can cause symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and, in the most severe cases, paralysis.
Facial Injuries
If the rear-end collision is severe enough to deploy the vehicle’s airbags, it can result in facial injuries, including bruising, abrasions, or even fractures. If there is broken glass involved, that can also cause facial injuries.
Chest and Rib Injuries
The impact of a rear-end collision can cause victims to be pushed with force against their seatbelt or the vehicle’s steering wheel, causing chest and rib injuries. These injuries can include bruised or broken ribs, injuries to the sternum, and even damage to the internal organs.
Psychological Injurires
While many people first think of physical injuries that can result from rear-end collisions, it’s possible to suffer psychological injuries as well. Things like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression can occur after an auto accident. These emotional injuries can be just as debilitating as a physical injury if left unaddressed and may require therapy or counseling to overcome.
What to Do if You Are in a Rear-End Collision in Florida
The actions you take after you’ve been in a rear-end collision may impact your physical and mental health and any personal injury claims you may make. Take these steps if you have been involved in a rear-end collision.
Immediately Seek Medical Attention
If you have been in a rear-end collision, immediately speak to your doctor about your symptoms. A doctor can examine you, order diagnostic tests to discover any injuries you may have suffered and recommend the best way to treat them.
Document Symptoms
Keep a list of the symptoms you’re experiencing, both physical and mental, including how often, how severe, and what, if any, movements or activities make symptoms worse and are being impacted. These kinds of records are important if you intend to make a personal injury claim in the future.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
Seeking the advice of a lawyer if you suspect you have suffered injuries from a rear-end collision is essential. Though Florida is a no-fault state, you may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim against the responsible parties.
Our legal team has over 40 years of experience seeking justice for our clients who have been the victims of car accidents. We’ve seen the results of untreated injuries, which can be devastating, and that is why you should never ignore symptoms after an accident.
Our attorneys have sought and won millions of dollars for our injured clients. Don’t allow your health and legal rights to go unaddressed after a car accident.
Call 850-601-1111 to schedule a complimentary consultation with no obligations. This consultation will help you explore your legal options. Let us help you fight for fair compensation.
Mark continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mark was a member of the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law and the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, as well as a certified legal intern with the FSU Public Interest Law Center, where he assisted low-income clients with a wide range of family law issues. He also served as a law clerk intern to The Honorable L. Clayton Roberts of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.
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