If you were in a car accident today, where do you think you’d be hit? Head-on collisions are everywhere in movies and TV, but fairly rare in real life. T-Bone accidents come in a close second but fall short. The truth is the most common kind of car crash is the completely preventable rear-end collision.
Causes
Rear-end accidents make up 1-in-3 car crashes in the United States. They are usually the result of negligent or distracted driving.
Looking away from the road for even a second can result in a rear-end crash that causes thousands of dollars in damages. Similarly, an aggressive driver who follows too closely might cause a crash if the car ahead needs to brake for any reason.
Rear-end collisions caused by distracted driving are especially dangerous. A distracted driver may not realize they’re in danger until the moment of impact. While an aggressive driver might hit the brakes, a distracted driver will crash into their victim at full speed.
Injuries
Whiplash is the most common injury resulting from a rear-end accident. The sudden force from behind causes the neck to abruptly jerk back and forth in a whip-like motion. This can cause serious spinal or nerve damage which may result in long-term pain or even numbness in the shoulder, arms, or hand.
Concussions are another common injury. As the head jerks forward and back, the brain bounces inside the skull.
While concussions themselves are usually gone in a few hours, they have long-term implications. For example, studies show those impacted by traumatic brain injuries, such as a concussion, are far more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and even suicidal behavior.
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in an auto accident, you might have a case. If you’d like an experienced Sacramento injury lawyer from Piering Law Firm to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call (916) 476-2399.