Serious Injuries From Rear-End Collisions

There's a common misconception surrounding rear-end collisions. Most people think that these seemingly minor accidents are no big deal — that everyone walks away from the fender bender with a bit of whiplash and a car that has been scraped or dented. While the damage to a vehicle in a rear-end collision may not be significant, the injuries that result from these accidents can actually be quite severe. 

Rear-end collisions in Denver are on the rise, thanks to distracted driving, more crowded roadways and less patient drivers. It's important that both drivers and passengers understand that severe, life-altering injuries can result from these accidents.

Top five serious injuries that result from rear-end collisions

1. Concussions — A concussion is a brain injury that is common among athletes who play contacts sports as well as among car accident victims. Even in a minor rear-end collision, a victim's head may hit the back of the seat, the steering wheel or the windshield. If the brain hits the skull during this accident, a concussion can result. Generally, the symptoms of a concussion will not reveal themselves until 24-48 hours after the accident.
2. Back Injuries — The sudden, jarring impact of the collision often leads to whiplash, and a driver or passenger can easily suffer from an acute back injury. Ranging from sprains and strains to a fractured spine or ruptured disc, back injuries can be debilitating and incredibly painful. These injuries often result in time off from work, and many require surgery to address the issue.
3. Spinal Trauma — In some cases, the accident victim will suffer from soft tissue damage in the tissue that surrounds the spine. This can lead to spinal trauma, which can significantly limit the individual's mobility and range of motion after an accident. Even though the injury occurs immediately, many patients will not feel the impact of this injury until weeks or months after the accident has occurred.
4. Broken Bones — Unfortunately, many people do not consider a broken bone to be a severe injury. But the reality of the matter is that these injuries can be severe and can have lasting consequences. In a rear-end collision, it is easy for the victim to suffer from a broken arm, leg or even back.
5. Internal Swelling and Bleeding — When a car accident victim looks okay on the outside and can physically walk away from the accident, it's easy to assume that there are no injuries sustained from the accident. However, the accident can take a significant toll on the body — particularly on the internal organs that were unexpectedly jarred during the accident. Internal swelling and bleeding can be severe. One of the reasons that injuries that result from rear-end collisions can be so serious is that the symptoms can easily be masked or ignored. Since most people can physically walk away from a fender bender, they often assume that they have not suffered a serious injury that needs to be examined by a medical professional. Unfortunately, this means that some injuries go undiagnosed, which results in further complications. 

Drivers and passengers should be aware of the warning signs and symptoms that might indicate that they have withstood a serious physical injury during a rear-end collision. According to KTAR News, these are a few delayed symptoms that warrant a trip to the doctor's office:

• Frequent, persistent headaches
• Stomach cramping or abdominal pain
• Swelling or bruising that won't subside
• Numbness
• Personality or mood changes
• Joint pain or stiffness that won't subside

Anyone who is injured in a rear-end collision should not only seek medical care, but also should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in motor vehicle accidents in Denver. An attorney can help you collect the evidence necessary to prove that the other driver was negligent, and to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve. You will want to partner with an attorney who will strive to get you the compensation that you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages and diminished quality of life costs.