What are the most common types of injuries in a rear-end collision?
By: Your Tampa Auto Accident Attorney, Martin J. Hernandez, Esq.
There are many types of injuries people suffer in a car accident, particularly in rear-end collision. Rear-end accidents often take victims by surprise, throwing them backwards and then forwards. This happens suddenly as they idle at a stop light or coming to a stop in traffic. While many rear-end accidents allow the victims to walk away with no injuries at all, there are several common injuries that can be very serious and sometimes manifest (develop) overtime.
These are the five most common injuries sustained in a rear-end car accident.
Soft Tissue
One of the most common auto accident injuries, flexion/extension injuries occur to the soft issue of the spine, caused by extreme jolting of the body. This type of injury takes fairly heavy trauma, as many people endure roller coasters and sudden fall without problem. The body is able to handle normal movements and even movements slightly outside the extreme, but when a car unexpectedly rams into your car, even at low speeds, the sudden snapping of your head forward and back can place unusual pressure on your spine, causing damage.
Symptoms of these injuries include pain between the shoulder blades or neck, headaches, dizziness, and even vision impairment. Because of the adrenaline rushing through your body immediately following your accident, you may not experience symptoms right away. In fact, some victims do not realize they have this injury for days (or even weeks) following an accident. Because these injuries can cause very painful symptoms, experts recommend seeking medical help as soon as symptoms begin. Don’t forget about Florida’s 14-day rule.
Herniation
Herniation occurs when the outer fiber surrounding a disk becomes torn, usually due to trauma. A patient can experience a herniated disk in the cervical or thoracic region, but spinal disk herniations usually occur in the lumbar region. In serious cases, a patient may experience severe back pain, numbness, tingling, and, in some cases, paralysis.
Brain Injury
This is a less common type of rear-end auto accident injury, with neck and back injuries far more common. Brain injuries most often happen in front-end and side collisions, where more direct impact usually occurs. If a passenger or driver in the impacted car is not wearing a seatbelt, there is a higher risk of brain injury, especially if the head hits something. While traumatic brain injury may not be as common as spinal injuries in rear-end collision, they can be extremely severe when they do occur, with victims risking permanent damage and even death.
Broken Bones
Many people think a broken leg or arm is nothing severe. Simply set it in a cast and heal within a specified period of time. However, bone breakages can be extremely severe, especially in the case of rear-end auto accidents. Broken bones can lead to complications such as injuries to organs and incorrectly fused bones, leading to lifelong limb deformity. Even in the case where a bone heals correctly, the patient may continue to experience decreased functionality in that particular limb, sometimes permanently.
Concussion
With any head trauma, medical personnel will watch for symptoms of a concussion. As with the aforementioned brain injury, a concussion is most often at risk in a rear-end collision if the accident victim’s head struck something, like the dashboard or windshield. A concussion occurs when a person’s brain strikes his or her skull, causing an injury. Concussions are like other auto accident injuries in that they don’t necessarily reveal themselves at the scene of the crash. In fact, physicians will often recommend family members watch head trauma victims for at least the twenty-four hours following an accident.
Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, inability to concentrate, and sensitivity to sounds and light. At first suspicion of a concussion, a patient should seek medical treatment immediately, as serious complications could follow.
According to data from the National Traffic Safety Bureau (NTSB), in 2012 alone, there were “more than 1.7 million rear-end crashes… resulting in more than 1,700 fatalities and 500,000 injured people.”
This makes rear-end collisions one of the most common types of auto accidents in the country, and a leading cause of accidental injuries. These injuries cost Americans millions of dollars in medical fees, rehabilitation, and lost wages every year.
If you’ve been in a rear-end auto accident, consider that symptoms can lead to permanent damage if left unchecked. It’s vital to watch for symptoms of head injury or back injury and seek medical attention if you suspect serious damage has occurred.
If you do not have a doctor to evaluate and treat you for your injuries from your car accident (rear-end collision), ask us today for a list of doctors near you (home or work).
Tampa Attorney Martin J. Hernandez
Attorney Martin J. Hernandez of Fernandez & Hernandez, LLC in Tampa provides legal representation for families in auto accident injury and wrongful death cases. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys welcome the opportunity to interview with you and your loved ones. We invite you to review our recent results from settlements to trial verdicts. Our qualifications and background are available to you as well. Our Tampa Attorneys Martin Hernandez and Martin Hernandez PA are bilingual as well. Just call us at 813.755.9500 for your free consultation.
The Tampa personal injury lawyers of Fernandez & Hernandez, serve Florida communities including Tampa, Brandon, Carrollwood, Westchase, Riverview, Temple Terrace, Pasco, Pinellas, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Plant City, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Dover, Valrico, Lutz, Lakeland and many other neighborhoods in Tampa Bay area. Contact an Experienced Tampa Auto Accident Attorney from Fernandez & Hernandez Law.
If you have been involved in an Auto Accident in the Tampa Bay area, call Tampa personal injury lawyer Martin J. Hernandez of Fernandez & Hernandez for a free consultation now. We recommend also reading his reviews on Google Reviews, Avvo and Yelp.
Call Tampa Personal Injury Attorney, Martin J. Hernandez of Fernandez & Hernandez at 813.755.9500 or read more at: www.InjuryLawyersOfTampa.com
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