Approximately 6 million car accidents happen each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Around 40% of those are rear-end collisions. Many people are able to walk away from fender benders and even serious accidents without harm, thanks to constantly improving safety features.
Unfortunately, it is still common for many collisions to result in injury.
Common Rear-End Collision Injuries
Immediately after an accident, your body’s adrenaline in high, which might stop you from noticing aches and pains right away. If you are aware of injuries that could occur, you might be able to identify potential injuries and seek medical attention sooner.
In a rear end collision, a variety of injuries could occur, here are some of the most common.
Whiplash
A rear end collision can force your head to violently whip back and forth, causing damage to the soft tissue in your neck. Whiplash is the most common rear-end collision injury since victims typically don’t see the accident coming and are unable to brace themselves. It can leave you feeling anything from mild soreness to serious pain and migraines. Frustratingly, whiplash can take anywhere from days to weeks before you recognize the full extent of your injury.
Concussion
Another common injury in a rear end collision is a traumatic brain injury. The most frequently occuring of these are concussions. The rapid back and forth of the neck and/or possible hit to the head causes your brain to twist and bounce inside your skull.
This trauma can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and amnesia to manifest. Although many people do not, concussions can sometimes cause people to pass out. The symptoms of a concussion are not always felt right away, so it is best to seek medical attention after a crash to get checked out.
Broken Bones
In a rear end collision your body is thrust forward, sometimes resulting in broken bones from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or other surface. It is not uncommon for crash victims to suffer from broken bones in the hands, feet, rib cage, spine, and skull.
Paralysis
All accidents have the potential for injury, however at high rates of speed, the risk of more severe injuries increases. Sometimes spinal injury can result in paralysis, either temporary or permanent, depending on the location of the injury, how the spine was injured, and the severity of the trauma.
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