Common Injuries Caused by Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions rank as one of the most frequent types of car accidents. Even when they occur at relatively low speeds, the impact of a rear-end crash can cause serious, long-term injuries. Here, we address some of the most common causes of rear-end car crashes, common injuries caused by rear-end collisions, and how to obtain the compensation you deserve if you were injured in a rear-end car accident.

Common Causes of Rear-End Car Accidents

In most rear-end collisions, the driver in back is at fault for causing the crash. Common causes of rear-end car accidents include:

• Distracted Driving. There is no shortage of distractions in cars today. When drivers are distracted by cell phones, the radio, navigation devices, eating while driving, or talking to another passenger, they cannot devote their full attention to driving. These distractions can cause a driver to lose focus and strike the vehicle in front of them.
• Speeding. A driver traveling at high speeds may not be able to stop in time to prevent a collision with the car in front of them.
• Following Too Closely. When drivers follow too closely behind cars in front of them, they have a reduced stopping distance and may not have enough time to stop their vehicle in time to avoid a collision.

Common Injuries Caused by Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions can cause various injuries, ranging from minor bruising and damage to soft tissues to broken bones and life-threatening damage to internal organs.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in a rear-end collision. Whiplash occurs when the head is violently thrown forward then snaps back, causing damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. These forces can also injure the mid-back and lower back. Other injuries common in a rear-end collision include damage to the back and spinal cord, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and dislocations.

People involved in a rear-end collision may also experience blunt-force injuries if parts of their body strike the interior of the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. Some people experience chest injuries such as damage to the ribs.

Proving Liability in a Rear-End Car Accident

Typically, the car in back is at fault for causing a rear-end car accident. However, there are situations where proving fault for a rear-end car accident is more complicated. For example, the driver in front may be partially responsible if their brake lights were not functioning or if they backed into the car behind them. Other cases are more complicated, such as a multiple-vehicle accident where the middle car is rear-ended and pushed into the vehicle in front of them.

Regardless of the situation, if you were injured in a car accident, our experienced personal injury lawyers can analyze who was at fault for causing the crash and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Obtaining the Compensation You Deserve After a Rear-End Car Accident

When a car accident causes personal injuries, the at-fault party is responsible for paying for the damages they caused. Our car accident lawyers can assess your injuries and other losses to determine the full extent of your damages.

Past and Future Medical Expenses

When a rear-end car accident causes injuries, you may incur hospital and medical bills for medical care and treatment you received to treat those injuries. This may include EMS bills, the cost of the emergency room visit, physician charges, bills for hospital stays and diagnostic testing, prescription medications, and more. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may require ongoing care.

Our car accident injury lawyers can assess the full extent of your damages and seek compensation for accident-related medical expenses you already incurred, as well as reasonably anticipated future medical care.

Lost Income

Injuries you suffer in a rear-end car accident may mean days, weeks, or even months off of work, which could lead to a significant loss of income. McKinney Vos can calculate and document your past and anticipated future lost wages and seek compensation for these financial losses from the at-fault driver.

Loss of Earning Capacity

If a rear-end car accident permanently affects your ability to earn a living, our car accident injury lawyers can work with financial experts to calculate your expected lost earning capacity and the costs of vocational rehabilitation or retraining, and seek compensation from the at-fault driver for these losses.

Vehicle Repair or Replacement

A rear-end car accident can damage the vehicles involved. The at-fault driver is responsible for paying for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle. This may include repairing dented fenders, cracked windows, broken taillights, and other damage. In some cases, the damage to your vehicle may be so extensive that it is more economical to replace the vehicle. Our lawyers can work to recover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.

Pain and Suffering

As a result of physical injuries, people involved in rear-end car accidents may experience pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. This may include chronic pain, recurring psychological trauma, headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. Our lawyers can work to calculate pain and suffering damages and seek compensation from the at-fault driver for your losses.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If a rear-end car accident caused you to lose the ability to participate in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for “loss of enjoyment of life.” Our lawyers can gather evidence to prove how your life has changed after the accident and fight to obtain compensation for these losses.

Disability and Disfigurement

A severe rear-end car accident may cause permanent disability or disfigurement, such as paralysis, amputation, burns, or scarring. These injuries can reduce your independence and you may need lifelong medical care or assistance with activities of daily living. Our lawyers can work with experts to calculate these losses and seek compensation for them from the at-fault party.

Injured in a Rear-End Car Accident? McKinney Vos Can Help.

The personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos have extensive experience litigating complex personal injury claims throughout Texas. We can analyze your situation, help you evaluate your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact McKinney Vos Today

McKinney Vos is a personal injury law firm in Austin, Texas. We are proud to represent people injured in car accidents and help them obtain the compensation they deserve. Contact our law firm today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.