Common Types of Rear-End Car Accident Injuries

Rear-end car collisions are very common in Richmond, VA. According to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these accidents account for 29% of all crashes in the US. NHTSA says rear-end car accidents are frequently caused by the driver of the lead vehicle. The driver may:

• Stop suddenly, causing the driver behind to ram into them.
• Change lanes without signaling they are doing so.
• Fail to move a car completely off the road when it breaks down.

Rear drivers do, however, also cause these accidents.  This is mostly due to driver negligence, speeding, drunk driving, tailgating, bad weather, distracted driving or vehicle malfunction.

If you are involved in a rear-end car accident, you can suffer severe injuries. If driver negligence caused your accident, the attorneys at Virginia Injury Law can help you seek damages for losses you have suffered.

Common Injuries for Which Accident Attorneys in Richmond, VA Seek Compensation

Rear-end car accidents can cause bodily harm and even property damage. In Richmond, VA the person who caused the accident or their insurer is expected to cover all losses. If they are uninsured, victims may get compensation from their own insurer. Common injuries drivers and passengers in a rear-end car accident can get compensation for will be discussed below.

Whiplash

This is a very common injury sustained by drivers in rear-end car accidents. The injury occurs due to the sudden violent back and forth movement of the head and neck on impact. The movement causes the ligaments around the neck to tear because they are stretched beyond their limit. Signs you have suffered whiplash are inflammation and sharp pain in the neck, headaches and limited mobility. Whiplash can be treated easily if you get medical help after your crash.

Any delay in getting medical treatment can make the injury become worse. A whiplash injury can be difficult to prove because x-rays and other medical tests don’t show it. Insurance companies usually say those who claim they suffered whiplash after an accident are faking the injury. They, therefore, look for ways to get out of paying any compensation for this type of injuries. A Virginia car accident lawyer can, however, help you prove your injury and get the compensation you deserve.

Back Injuries

The violent and sudden movement of the body following impact in a rear-end car accident can cause back injuries. Your lower back or cervical spine are the most vulnerable to injury. Lower back injuries can occur due to disc injuries, a spinal fracture, facet joint injuries or muscular injuries. It is very important that you go for a medical exam after your accident. Back injuries may not show for days or weeks after your accident.  Having a doctor examine you will detect back injuries early and treatment can begin before they become worse. Back injuries can be serious and may alter your life forever.

To recover, you may have to stay in a hospital for a long duration. You may undergo a lot of painful physiotherapy. There are chances you may also become paralyzed. It is only fair that you and your family get pain and suffering compensation for all this.

Airbag Injuries

Airbags are supposed to offer protection when you’re involved in a car crash. However, when they are deployed during a crash they can cause you injuries. The force with which an airbag hits your body can cause injuries like a broken nose or ribs. The powder in the airbags can also burn your face. When airbags are deployed they can also cause serious injuries or death to child passengers. Should this happen, you should get an accident attorney in Richmond, VA.

Spinal Cord Injuries

This is one of the more serious injuries you can suffer due to a rear-end car accident. Spine disc injuries can leave you partially or totally disabled. When a doctor informs you of a spinal cord injury it might be the worst news you ever receive. The injury can change how you live your life forever.  The cost of treating it will be enormous and you might not be able to work anymore. Paying for your treatment may, therefore, prove challenging. To ease the financial burden on you and your family, you should compel the negligent driver to pay medical expenses. Your Virginia car accident lawyer can also get you other damages such as future lost earnings.

Head and Brain Injuries

These injuries are as bad as spinal cord injuries because they can also change your life forever. One brain injury you can sustain after a rear-end car accident is a traumatic brain injury. A TBI, as it is commonly called, occurs when the head suffers a sudden jolt or blow. The impact causes the brain to be damaged. A TBI can be a mild concussion which can easily be treated by some medication and rest. It can also be more serious, causing permanent brain damage.

When it involves permanent brain damage, an accident victim may become permanently disabled. They may also stop being self-reliant and need someone to take care of them around the clock. A traumatic brain injury may not show immediately after an accident. Signs to look out for hours or days after the accident include sudden change in behavior, dizziness and impaired speech. You should also look for chronic fatigue or lower cognitive performance.

Facial Disfigurement

When you’re rear-ended you may hit the steering wheel or dashboard. This can cause your teeth to fall out or you may break your jaw or nose. These injuries can cause your face to become misshapen. To correct this deformity, you might have to undergo cosmetic surgery. That doesn’t come cheap. The windscreen and window glass may also cut your face. The cuts may leave you with scars that might cause you to have low self-esteem. For the emotional distress caused by your injuries, you can get compensation from the party at fault.

Wrist and Arm Injuries

Due to a rear-end car accident, you might suffer cuts on your wrists and arms from the car’s windscreen glass. You can also dislocate your shoulders or sprain your wrist. These injuries happen to both drivers and passengers who hit objects in the car on impact. Should you suffer any of these injuries, get treatment even if you think they are minor.

Seat Belt Injuries

You are required by law to have your seat belt on while you’re driving. Seat belts can protect you from suffering serious injuries if you’re in a car accident. It makes sense to always buckle up. However, at times the seat belt can cause you to be injured. When you’re hit from the back the seat belt will tighten to offer you better protection. When it does that, it will stop you from hitting the dashboard or steering wheel. This tight grip may, however, cause your skin to be cut. Bruising to the neck and chest may also occur.

For your Virginia car accident lawyer to get you compensation for any of these injuries they will have to prove:

• The party at fault for the accident acted negligently and breached their duty of care.
• The party’s negligence led to the rear-end collision.
• The damages and injuries you suffered were the direct results of the accident.

Steps to Take After a Rear-End Car Accident in Richmond, VA?

You will probably be in a state of panic after a rear-end accident. That’s understandable. There are, however, several things you should do after your accident. These will ensure you get proper treatment for your injuries and they will help if you decide to seek compensation.

1. Call 911. Doing this will ensure the police and the emergency medical services arrive at the car accident scene. If you are injured, the emergency medical team will offer you first aid. If your injuries are severe, they will rush you to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment. The police will investigate the cause of your accident. They will talk to you and the driver of any other cars involved in the accident. They will also take statements from witnesses and take photos of car damage and the accident scene. From this information, they will prepare a police accident report. This report will be important when you make a claim for compensation. It contains a lot of evidence and can prove who was at fault.
2. Take photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and any property damage if you are able. Get the contact details of witnesses. This will come in handy should a negligent driver deny responsibility for causing an accident. The more information you can gather, the more evidence an accident attorney in Richmond will have to prepare your case.

Call Virginia Injury Law and Schedule a Consultation with a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a rear-end car accident, contact an accident attorney from Virginia Injury Law. Our law firm has handled many rear-end accidents and gotten accident victims the compensation they deserve. Call us at 1-800-HURT-123 for a review of your case. If you have a valid claim, we will work hard to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries. Trust us to handle your case and we will not let you down!