How Rear-End Collisions Become Catastrophic

By Grant Law Office on October 14, 2020

Rear-end collisions, sometimes known as “fender benders,” often get the reputation of not being that serious of an accident. T-bones, as in when a car collides with the side of another collision, or head-on accidents are seen as far more serious because they can put the occupants at the immediate risk of suffering a fatal injury. But the same can be said about rear-end collisions. They can be absolutely devastating and, due to their reputation as being mild accidents, the injuries caused by them may be overlooked.

Common Rear-End Collision Injuries

When a car slams into the vehicle in front of it, that is considered a read-end collision. It may happen because the driver behind was speeding or distracted, or it may happen because the car ahead didn’t give enough warning before changing lanes. Either way, the two or more cars collided, causing serious damage. While one of the most common types of rear-end accidents is a minor fender bender, even slow collisions can be dangerous. If the rear car is significantly larger than the one in front of it, such as a semi-truck, occupants can suffer from a wide variety of injuries.

Even slow or low impact rear-end collisions can result in:

Broken bones: While our bones are made to withstand high levels of impact, they cannot stand up to a devastating car accident. Rear-end collisions can cause serious fractures in a victim’s legs or arms if they slam against the steering column.

Soft tissue damage: The soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons, help hold our bones together and in place. When these body parts become torn or stretched, it can lead to intense pain and even limited mobility if left untreated.

Brain trauma: When the body is stopped suddenly, unsecured parts can still move or be jerked forward. It is common for people in rear-end collisions to slam their heads against the dashboard, window, or seat, leading to severe brain injuries. Even at low speeds, a victim can suffer a serious concussion.

Spinal injuries: The sudden impact of a vehicle could cause intense damage to your spine, potentially even breaking it. This kind of damage could lead to partial or full paralysis.

Whiplash: This is one of the best-known rear-end collision injuries and is commonly seen in fender benders. The sudden impact causes the neck to snap forward. That sudden jerking motion can cause the spine, tendons, and ligaments in the neck to stretch or be torn, leading to intense pain.

Limb loss: If the impact between the vehicles is high enough, it could lead to one of your limbs becoming pinned or crushed. When this happens, the only way to allow the body to heal may be through medical amputation. It is also possible that the crash itself caused your limb to be torn from your body.

Lasting Consequences

Needless to say, the injuries listed above can be, and often are, absolutely devastating. You may be left with a lifelong disability, disfigurement, or chronic pain. On top of that, treating such injuries may require extensive medical aide, including surgeries, physical therapy sessions, and bottles of medication. All of that costs money. If you have to take time off from work in order to heal and get your vehicle repaired, then those costs may seem simply impossible to afford. You may find yourself in a great deal of pain, out of work, and swimming in medical debt.

However, if your rear-end collision was someone else’s fault, then you may have more options than you realize. An auto accident claim can allow you to recover the damages you have lost and compensation for your pain and suffering. It is important to remember, however, that the at-fault party’s insurance is unlikely to offer you a proper settlement. Instead, they will do everything they can to get you to take a low amount.

But you should never agree to less than what your case is worth, and, with the right attorney, you may be able to recover proper compensation for your injuries. Your best option after a rear-end collision is to contact the Grant Law Office. Our husband and wife legal team take on a select number of cases so that we can give each client the attention they deserve. To get in contact with an expert Atlanta auto accident attorney, call Grant Law Office at (404) 995-3955 today.