Car accidents are rarely accidents. Usually, someone’s reckless or negligent conduct behind the wheel contributes to a collision. Due to the unexpected nature of these accidents, injuries are common and can be severe.
The five most common rear-end collision injuries vary in severity, but all substantially interrupt a victim’s daily life. Medical expenses and an inability to work add to the already mounting stress you may be feeling as you worry about your recovery.
If you suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, it’s vital to speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to explore your options for compensation from the responsible party.
If you have any questions, please contact the Richmond, Virginia personal injury lawyers at River Run Law online or call (828) 414-8614 today.
5 Most Common Rear-End Collision Injuries
Any number of injuries may occur after a rear-end collision.
The five most common injuries suffered by car accident victims range in severity and have the potential to cause serious injury and, in some cases, death.
Read on to learn more about these injuries and why seeking medical attention as soon as possible is vital.
1. Whiplash
Although whiplash does not result in broken bones, this neck injury can substantially disrupt your life.
Whiplash occurs commonly in rear-end collisions when your head and body experience sudden forced movement due to the impact of a crash.
Most whiplash injuries result in neck pain and soreness lasting for a week or longer. In more serious cases, whiplash injuries after a rear-end collision can cause permanent nerve and muscle damage.
2. Brain Injuries
Brain injuries, including concussions, contusions, hematoma, and coup-contrecoup, are common.
While symptoms and signs of brain injury vary, obtaining prompt medical attention is crucial to seek treatment. Many brain injuries result in life-altering effects and, in some cases, death.
3. Back Injuries
Back injuries represent the most common rear-end collision injuries, as they usually result from the sudden impact of a body being pushed from behind. These soft tissue injuries typically affect the muscles or tendons in the back.
While many of these injuries eventually heal over time, permanent back injuries are possible that may negatively impact your life. In some cases, these injuries can reduce mobility and create chronic pain.
4. Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries are severe based on their potential to be permanent. Extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation is required.
In many cases, spinal injuries may result in permanent harm to the discs in the spine and result in irreversible damage. Common symptoms of spinal cord injuries include:
- Extreme back pain,
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities,
- Weakness or paralysis in parts of the body,
- Difficulty balancing or walking, and
- Difficulty breathing.
When a spinal cord injury results in permanent injury, victims are forced to change their way of life completely. They may be unable to work the same job they had before or move around their home without mobility assistance.
5. Internal injuries
Internal injuries can also occur due to the impact of a collision.
To the naked eye, internal injuries are difficult, if not impossible, to spot. Many of these injuries do not show symptoms until hours, or sometimes days, after a collision.
Common types of internal injuries include internal bleeding, organ damage, ruptured spleen, and broken ribs. Immediate treatment is vital as these injuries can be fatal.
Most Common Causes of Rear-End Accident Injuries
Rear-end collisions can happen for any reason and at any time. Despite our best efforts to drive safely, we can’t anticipate or predict the behavior of other drivers on the road. The most common causes of rear-end collision injuries include the following:
- Following too close,
- Distracted driving,
- Speeding,
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
- Fatigue, and
- Reckless driving.
If you suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, your attorney works to determine the cause of the accident and hold the right person responsible for your losses.
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
Virginia operates under the contributory negligence rule. Under this theory, even if you are determined to be just 1% at fault for your accident, you are barred from recovering any compensation.
Therefore, your attorney gets to work immediately to counter arguments by the responsible driver that you were in any way responsible for the accident. Clear liability is established in various ways, including:
- Photographs,
- Witness statements,
- Videos of the accident scene,
- Police accident reports,
- Car accident reconstruction,
- Vehicle damage,
- Skid marks and crash debris,
- Road conditions, and
- Weather conditions.
For this reason, it’s vital to hire an attorney who understands how crucial it is to establish the clear liability of the driver who caused your rear-end collision.
What Damages Can I Recover?
Victims injured in a rear-end collision are entitled to compensation in the form of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages represent financial losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings, and
- Property damage.
Your attorney calculates the value of your economic losses through tangible evidence, including bills, invoices, pay stubs, and other documentation.
Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, are subjective losses usually evidenced by an injury’s physical and emotional toll. These damages include the following:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of consortium,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Permanent disability and injury.
Noneconomic damages are challenging to prove because these losses are not always physically apparent and are highly subjective.
A personal injury attorney understands the evidence required to successfully prove these losses so you and your family obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact Us
At River Run Law, we understand that suffering a serious injury can devastate your life. You deserve justice if someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your accident.
We aggressively pursue justice and fair financial compensation for the wrongfully injured. Our legal team can assist you or a loved one with your personal injury claim while protecting your rights and holding the responsible party accountable for their actions.
At River Run Law, we provide passionate advocacy with a proven track record for success. We work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome in your case and are eager to assist you.
Contact us today by calling (828) 414-8614 or emailing us for a free consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.
Brooke Alexander
Brooke graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brooke worked for five years in private practice with a law firm specializing in insurance defense litigation before becoming the trial litigator for Allstate Insurance Company in the metro Richmond area.
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