Nearly one third of all car accidents are rear-end accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute. And when these accidents happen, they often result in serious injuries.
Which injuries are the most common in rear-end accidents? How much are rear-end injury accident claims worth? New Mexico rear-end accident attorney Andras Szantho of the Andras Szantho Law Firm discusses these issues and other important information you need to know after your rear-end accident.
What are common injuries sustained in rear-end accidents?
Car accidents in which one vehicle crashes into the back of another are sometimes dismissed as “minor” accidents. But many rear-end car accidents result in very serious injuries. Some of the most common rear-end accident injuries include:
- Neck injuries – This includes whiplash, which you can read more about below. Neck injuries are especially common in rear-end accidents since a person’s neck can get violently thrown forward and backward in the crash, resulting in sprained neck muscles, broken neck vertebrae and other neck injuries.
- Back injuries – Injuries to any part of the back (such as lower back or upper back) are especially common, even in low-speed rear-end accidents. That’s often because of the violent jarring motion caused by two vehicles crashing into each other. In such cases, discs in the spine can be compressed due to the impact of a rear-end crash.
- Head injuries – Whether it’s someone hitting their head on the dashboard or another part of the vehicle, head injuries are especially common in rear-end accidents. From lacerations on the head to concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), numerous people every year sustain serious head injuries in rear-end accidents.
- Spinal cord injuries – Injuries to the spine sustained in rear-end accidents often occur because the spine was severed or compressed in the accident. People who sustain spinal cord injuries in rear-end car accidents sometimes experience paralysis. Other times, they may fracture a disc or injure another part of the spine. The bottom line is spinal cord injuries can often be very serious and require immediate medical attention.
- Hand and arm injuries – Many people injure their arms or hands in rear-end accidents because they reach out in an effort to break their fall or brace for impact. Other times, arm or hand injuries occur due to being thrown against part of the car during the crash.
- Airbag injuries – Depending on a person’s height, weight and the speed the vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash, airbag injuries sometimes occur in rear-end accidents. Defective airbags are also sometime to blame. Whatever the circumstances, the force of an exploding airbag can sometimes be very harmful.
- Seatbelt injuries – Seatbelts have been known to sometimes cause serious injuries in rear-end accidents. Often, this is because the person wearing the seatbelt might be shorter or taller and the seatbelt may harm the person’s internal organs. Other times, defective seatbelts don’t work properly, causing the person wearing one to slam into the dashboard or strike the windshield.
These are just some of the most common injuries sustained in rear-end accidents. No matter what type of injury you’re dealing with, make sure you get the medical care you need right away. Then contact our law firm and talk to an attorney who can explain all the legal options available to you.
What is whiplash?
A type of neck injury, whiplash is a very common injury sustained in rear-end accidents. A type of neck strain or muscle strain, whiplash often occurs in rear-end collisions due to the injury victim’s neck being violently thrown forward and backward.
Whiplash injuries are often especially difficult to deal with since some insurance companies and doctors raise doubts about the seriousness of whiplash injuries. But the reality is whiplash is real and needs to be treated properly.
Otherwise, whiplash injury victims can experience severe neck pain for long periods of time. Specifically, the National Safety Council has reported that 80 percent of people who sustain a whiplash injury feel pain or soreness for more than a week. And 50 percent of whiplash injury victims feel pain and soreness in their neck more than a year after their crash.
How much is my rear-end accident claim worth?
This is a common and logical question many people ask after they have been injured in a rear-end accident caused by another driver. However, there’s no simple answer to this question. Some rear-end accidents may be worth a few thousand dollars. Others may be worth considerably more.
The bottom line is you should be compensated for all your accident-related expenses, now and in the future. Such expenses can include:
- Ambulance fees
- Emergency medical care
- Diagnostic tests
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Replacement income during your recovery
How can a lawyer help me with my rear-end car accident?
There are many different ways a lawyer can help you after a rear-end accident. For example, a lawyer can:
- Thoroughly investigate your rear-end accident.
- Help make sure your official accident report is absolutely accurate.
- Deal directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiate the best possible settlement on your behalf.
- File a rear-end accident lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
- Represent you in all court hearings related to your rear-end accident.
To learn more about how an attorney can assist you with your rear-end car accident, contact Andras Szantho Law Firm and schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced, New Mexico rear-end accident lawyer at our firm.