What Kind of Injuries Can You Get from a Rear-End Collision?
One of the most common types of car accidents involves the front of one vehicle hitting the rear of another. These are rear-end collisions, and they can occur for a variety of reasons, from distracted driving to speeding. Most people think that being rear-ended is a minor issue that won’t cause any major injuries, but that’s not always the case.
Depending on the speeds involved, the rear-end car accident injuries you could suffer might be severe. Learn more about the kinds of injuries you could potentially sustain in this kind of wreck and what they could mean for your health.
Soft Tissue Injuries
The occupants of a rear-ended car can expect to experience at least one soft tissue injury: whiplash. This occurs when your head moves forcefully back and forth, straining your neck muscles. After a serious accident, whiplash symptoms can include experiencing pain and stiffness for weeks.
There are other types of soft tissue injuries you can sustain. You can tear ligaments or tendons, especially if you brace for impact. If your knee twists, you can suffer an anterior cruciate injury, which could leave you unable to put weight on your affected leg for weeks.
Broken Bones
In accidents that involve high speeds, it’s very possible to suffer bone fractures. The airbag can deploy with enough force to break rib bones, or you may hit your arms against the dashboard or windows. Even the mildest breaks can cause pain and require a long recovery process. More serious injuries, like comminuted breaks, can require surgery and may take months to fully heal.
Facial Injuries
You may hit your face against the airbag, and that can result in damage to your nose or cheekbones. If there is debris flying through the cabin, glass or metal could cut your face, leaving you with cuts that can leave scarring. These injuries can require undergoing significant reconstructive procedures.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Some of the most severe rear-end injuries you can experience involve your spinal cord. This collection of nerves sends messages to your brain and throughout the rest of your body, so if it suffers any damage, the results can be life-altering. It’s possible to lose sensation and movement below the site of the injury. In the worst cases, you can suffer complete paralysis.
Brain Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can occur if you sustain head trauma. If you hit your head and your brain shifts in your skull, you can experience a concussion, bruising on your brain tissue, and many other serious injuries. Concussions are the mildest type of brain injury, but they can still impact your cognitive function.
Psychological Injuries
Being in a car accident can be a highly traumatic experience. People who have experienced serious collisions can struggle with anxiety and depression. Some may not be able to process the trauma, which can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although these injuries aren’t visible, they can be as life-altering as physical ones.
Call Our Birmingham Car Accident Attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered losses in a car accident because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct, one of your options is to file a personal injury claim. The goal is to achieve a settlement covering your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses you suffered.
To have a chance to receive fair compensation, it’s vital that you hire an experienced Birmingham car accident attorney. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We serve Shelby County, Madison County, Montgomery County in Alabama, and its surrounding areas.
We are located in Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Birmingham Office
880 Montclair Road, Ste 300,
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 973-6417
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Huntsville Office
116 Jefferson St. Suite 207
Huntsville, AL, 35801
(256) 781-9242
Or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 34.73159361945047, -86.58690898412395
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Montgomery Office
7 Clayton St, Suite 200,
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 518-6098
Or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.373594220209505, -86.3092041262694