Injuries Sustained In Rear-End Collisions

The physics of rear-end crashes lead to several predictable injuries, which is to be expected. Newton’s First Law states that if the front vehicle is stopped, it will stay that way until an outside force is introduced. The car’s occupants, however, will be thrown back into their seats as they travel toward the impact when it is struck from behind, putting tremendous pressure on their necks and backs. 

Newton’s Second Law states that if a vehicle is propelled forward, it will continue to drive ahead until it encounters any interior component, such as an airbag, a seatbelt, the dashboard, or the steering wheel. Physical bodily harm may result from the movement and items impacting you inside the car. You can seek help from a Stockton car accident attorney.

These physical forces cause the most typical injuries in rear-end collisions, including the ailments covered below.

1. Injuries to the neck, such as whiplash

Injuries to the soft tissues of the neck and shoulders are known as whiplash. The neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments may get strained when a person’s body is flung back and forth as they work to keep the head and neck from whirling about. As a result, these soft tissues may sustain an injury that results in symptoms such as persistent discomfort, muscular stiffness, a reduction in range of motion, and others.

2. Head trauma

After a rear-end collision, the front car will halt, and the victim’s head may hit the dashboard, windshield, steering wheel, or airbag. Injuries to the head and face include shattered facial bones, broken teeth, wounds, bruising, cracked skulls, and traumatic brain ailments, among other injuries.

3. Back sprains

A rear-end accident can harm the back’s muscles, vertebrae, and discs. Significant forces from the seat and seat belt may be transmitted to the body during the collision. People may experience herniated discs, slid discs, burst discs, muscle tears, muscle strains, and other back ailments as a result. The back may also be hurt when the body is flung back and forth during the accident.

4. Chest injuries

Due to seat belts, thoracic injuries can occur in rear-end collisions. While keeping occupants in place, seat belts can inflict chest bruising, broken ribs, or a shattered collarbone. However, it is crucial to buckle up since doing so constantly might shield you from being flung through the windshield, perhaps saving your life.

5. Joint injuries

Many individuals automatically brace themselves before automobile accidents, and their knees may impact the dashboard during a rear-end collision. Ligaments, tendons, and cartilage can tear in and around the knees. It may be necessary to have surgery to heal these kinds of wounds.