Rear-end collisions (or “fender benders”) are the most common type of car accident. They’re usually caused by negligence or distraction on the part of the driver who hits the other vehicle from behind.
Injuries from rear-end accidents can range from very minor to very serious, but regardless of the scope of your injuries, it’s important to seek immediate medical care if you’re involved in a rear-end car accident.
Let’s take a look at five of the most common rear-end car accident injuries:
1. Whiplash
The main injury from which victims of rear-end car accidents suffer is whiplash. This injury occurs when the neck is jerked abruptly back and forth on impact, causing damage to the soft tissue.
2. Spinal injuries
Spinal injuries are also very common because the force of a rear-end collision can cause the spine to compress or the spinal discs to slip out of place (known as herniated discs).
3. Head/brain injury
Head and brain injuries are more common when people don’t see the accident coming and don’t have time to brace themselves for impact. In these cases, their head flops around more because the muscles are loose, leading to more serious injuries rather than something typically minor like whiplash.
4. Facial disfigurement
If an airbag fails to deploy or if the force of the accident is high, the driver’s face can hit the steering wheel or airbag hard enough to cause broken bones in the face or disfigurement.
5. Burns
Airbags can also cause burns on the head, face or other parts of the upper body because of the chemical gas that’s released when the airbag is deployed. They often save people in certain accidents, but it’s also extremely important to wear a seatbelt to lessen the force of the impact.
If you’ve been injured in a recent rear-end car accident, it’s crucial to receive sound legal guidance in order to get the help you need. Contact our experienced Tennessee car accident attorneys at Gilreath & Associates for a free consultation today.