Car accidents have unpredictable effects on our bodies. The types of injuries you can sustain depend on how the collision happened and the direction and intensity of the forces that are involved. When it comes to rear-end accidents, the driver and passengers of the car that is hit from behind are often thrown forward with great force. That can lead to fractures, head trauma or hidden injuries like whiplash. These injuries can occur even if the victims were wearing their seatbelts.
Here is a list of the most common injuries one can sustain from a rear-end car accident:
Bone Fractures
Broken limbs or other broken bones can be a result of a rear-end car crash, and sometimes they can be hard to recover from. The least a victim can get away with is having to wear a plaster cast for a few weeks after the accident, which can impair their mobility and leave them unable to work.
Concussions
Because of the great forces involved in a car crash, your brain strikes the inside of your skull and gets a hematoma and tissue compression. Symptoms of a concussion are nausea and vomiting, dizziness, loss of senses, headaches, altered mood, and sensitivity to sound and light. If you notice any of these symptoms after head trauma, seek immediate medical attention.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries often go unnoticed by the victim for days or even weeks after the accident. On top of that, it’s not always easy to diagnose them, and the investigations that the victim needs are not so common (like an MRI or a soft tissue ultrasound.) The victim can suffer from muscle tears, stretched ligaments, and damaged nerves.
Herniation
Back injuries are a common result of rear-end car collisions. Herniation occurs when the tissue that sustains the vertebrae is damaged. Symptoms of herniation include severe back pain, numbness, tingling, and limited mobility. Discuss your concerns with a doctor as soon as possible and get the necessary investigations done for a proper diagnosis.
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
There are many ways your brain can suffer damage if it’s subjected to great, sudden forces. Besides concussions, your brain can bleed underneath its protective membrane or its connections can be interrupted by ruptures in the brain tissue. Each one of these injuries can be potentially life-threatening or debilitating. Seek immediate medical help if you suspect any kind of brain injury.
Why You Should Speak With an Experienced Attorney
If you have been in a rear-end car collision, get in contact with a doctor and with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney. If your injuries will need extensive treatment and recovery, causing you to lose working hours or even the capacity to work, you will have to make a car accident claim to cover your costs. To ensure your legal right to compensation is protected, speak with an attorney as soon as possible.