Rear-end accidents often cause damage to the spine that can require years of medical attention – or worse. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, reports that there are more than 1.5 million rear-end collisions each year in the U.S. A rear-
Of those crashes, more than 500,000 resulted in serious injuries and 1,700 deaths. Those numbers are on the rise due to increased driver distractions from the use of cell phones while driving and pervasive traffic congestion.
What Happens To Your Body In A Rear-End Accident?
While the possibility of fatal injury exists, it’s more likely that rear-end collisions will result in herniated discs, sprains and strains, and whiplash. These are the injuries that can require prolonged treatment and years of pain and suffering.
Herniated discs happen when an impact causes one of the discs in your spine to push into the area between the spinal vertebrae. When this disc presses against a nerve, it can cause shooting pain that can even be felt radiating into the arms and legs.
An overextension of joints in a crash can cause sprains and strains that lead to swelling, bruising, stiffness, and soreness. Whiplash can occur when the head snaps back violently in a rear-end collision and can even happen at a low rate of speed when there is impact.
Someone Crashed Into Me and I’m Injured. What Should I Do?
All of these injuries not only require immediate medical care, but they should also be discussed with an experienced car accident and personal injury attorney right away.
You need medical attention as soon as possible because injuries sustained in a rear-end crash can cause scarring and tissue damage that could lead to other health issues such as:
- loss of range of motion,
- chronic neck and back pain, or
- multiple corrective surgeries
if it is not diagnosed and treated soon after the accident. Likewise, you need a personal injury attorney soon after the crash who can help you stand up for your rights under Florida Law. You also may not feel the full effects of a rear-end crash right away, so it’s important to see a doctor right away to support an injury claim if you decide to file one later.
How Does Insurance Work After A Rear-End Collision?
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that the person that hit you might not be fully covered with auto insurance policies that cover expenses related to liability or collision, and in some cases might not have insurance coverage at all. That means that rather than receiving compensation from the driver at fault, you would have to recoup your losses in medical expenses, lost wages and more from your own insurance company.
What If Insurance Won’t Cover My Losses?
You may be able to pursue damages from a negligent driver. To do this, you must first make your case and be able to prove that the driver was truly at fault and responsible for the accident.
The most common causes of driver negligence are following too closely, driving while distracted, or traveling at a high rate of speed. If these actions lead to a need for long-term care, permanent disability, or the inability to work, you may have a good case for a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recoup your losses and help with your medical expenses.
Who Should I Call For Help?
Even if you’re in a rear-end accident at low speed, it’s important to seek medical attention and the advice of proven, trial-tested personal injury attorneys like those at Fernandez & Hernandez Attorneys At Law. You can reach them for advice 24/7 online or by calling 813.755.9500. Hablamos español.
Contact us to get started with a free, one-on-one attorney case consultation today.
