Posted by callgentry |
Car accidents can be extremely frustrating. Rear-end car accidents involve an additional element of frustration – the fact the injured victim often has no control over his or her vehicle during the impact sequence and has little or no warning prior to being struck from behind.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries during a rear-end collision, contact one of the experienced Jefferson City, Missouri, Personal Injury Attorneys at Call & Gentry Law Group to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
What causes rear-end car accident injuries?
Most rear-end collisions occur because the at-fault driver is not paying attention at all, or by the time they realize the vehicle in front of them has stopped or slowed, they are unable to properly slow or stop their vehicle. Rear-end collisions also occur because of hazardous road conditions, inclement weather, or driver error, such as using their cell phone or texting and driving.
Catch-22
Rear-end collisions can be both a blessing, in that if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision the fact rear-end collisions often occur at lower speeds, and a curse, in that rear-end collision victims are often unable to brace themselves for the impact.
Head-on or side-swipe collisions normally occur at high speeds, but the innocent driver can see the other vehicle coming directly for them and may be able to swerve or avoid the collision entirely. Victims are often “blind” to the fact a rear-end collision is about to occur. Thankfully, most rear-end collisions involve some braking by the at-fault driver, thereby reducing the force of the impact.
Seat Belt Injuries and Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash-related injuries and injuries caused by seat belts are some of the most common types of injuries in rear-end collisions. Victims are often thrown forward violently as their body absorbs the rear impact, and then quickly whipped backward as they continue to brake and their vehicle remains stationary.
The whipping motion places considerable stress on the abdomen and chest, areas often braced by the seat belt and shoulder strap. While it is certainly better than going through the windshield, stomach and upper body injuries from seat belts can leave lasting symptoms on injured victims.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Brain Injuries
In more serious cases, such as rear-end collisions involving tractor-trailer trucks or multiple vehicle pile-ups, victims can suffer more severe injuries, such as spinal fractures and disk injuries which can lead to paralysis, and brain injuries which may affect the injured party for the rest of their life.
While airbags certainly reduce the likelihood that an individual will hit their head on a hard surface, they do not completely prevent such occurrences. Sometimes, victims’ heads and faces bounce off the airbag and sustain a secondary blow from the door frame, the dash, or another surface within the vehicle. Brain injuries also occur as the brain rotates and strikes the inside of the skull, leading to bleeding on the brain and the bruising of vital tissue.
Contact a Jefferson City, Missouri, Personal Injury Attorney
Motor vehicle accident victims can take days, months, or years to heal. In some cases, the injuries and symptoms may last for the rest of your life. If you were involved in a rear-end motor vehicle collision, or another kind of car accident, contact the Jefferson City, Missouri, Personal Injury Attorneys at Call & Gentry Law Group to help start you off on the right path on your road to recovery.