Utah Rear-End Accidents and Injuries
Millions of rear-end collisions happen on United States roadways every year. Some of these rear-end accidents lead to minor injuries that may not even require a trip to a medical professional, but unfortunately, that is not true of all injuries resulting from a rear-end collision.
This article looks at some of the more common types of rear-end accident injuries.
What Is a Rear End Collision?
A rear end collision is any accident caused when one vehicle smashes into the back of another vehicle. This type of accident can and often does result in more serious injuries that can prove debilitating, and sometimes these injuries may become fatal.
Here at Howard, Lewis & Petersen, P.C., our Provo, UT accident lawyer represents those individuals who were injured in an accident, as well as the families of those who passed on from a rear end accident. We have talked with clients from all over Utah and handled their cases involving an array of rear end accident situations and the injuries they caused.
Common Utah Rear-end Accidents and Injuries
1. Whiplash
Whiplash is the number one most common type of injury following a rear end accident. It also happens to be one of the most frequently overlooked ones, as the pain and physical stress of a whiplash injury are not always noticeable.
This type of injury occurs because of the violent change of movement caused when another vehicle collides with the back end of your vehicle. The sudden and unexpected jolt takes your body by surprise, causing the head and neck muscles to move very violently. It can take weeks, months, and sometimes even years to recover from this type of injury — and that is whether the proper care and physical therapy recommendations are followed or not.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Whiplash is most often isolated to the driver or passenger’s neck. However, sometimes that violent movement can impact other parts of your body, including the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries are very serious and require immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, even with the best medical care, a spinal cord injury victim may face lifelong issues, including permanent paralysis.
3. Brain Injury
In this type of accident, brain injuries are caused when the head hits the dashboard or another object. Sometimes, even the force of the head hitting a deployed airbag can be enough to result in bruising or swelling in the brain. Left untreated, this type of brain injury can result in cognitive impairment. It is incredibly important to seek medical treatment whenever a brain injury is suspected so as to prevent serious permanent damage.
4. Arm, Wrist, and Leg Fractures and Sprains
Remember how we noted above that whiplash injuries are so bad because the body is unprepared for them? Well, sometimes, it is the opposite situation that causes injury. Sometimes, you can see a rear end collision happening in your rearview mirror, and your body tenses though you are unable to react. Tensing up or bracing for impact can cause injuries like sprains and fractures in the arms, wrists, and legs as your body tries but fails to prevent the hard physical surfaces in your car from ramming into you.
Were You Injured in a Rear End Collision?
If you have been injured in a rear end accident or any type of vehicle accident, make sure to see a medical professional first. Then, once you have a diagnosis, call us and let our accident attorney in Provo, Utah, help you get the financial reparations you need to get back to your normal life. Or as normal as possible following the accident.
