| Read Time: 4 minutes | Car Accidents
Injuries from rear end collision

We are often asked what are the common injuries after being rear-ended. If you were recently injured while stopped after being rear-ended, you should speak with an attorney to discuss your injuries. Our firm offers free consultations and will hear your story about your rear-ended collision injuries.

While car accidents happen in a variety of ways, most occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another.

Approximately 29 percent of all car crashes are rear-end collisions. These collisions, where one vehicle strikes the rear of another, are the most common type of crash on the roads. They can result in significant injuries, including fatal ones.

In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about one-third of all auto collisions in 2019 were rear-ended accidents.

Around 595,000 of these crashes had a reported injury, while 2,346 of them involved a fatality.

From this, it’s clear that getting rear-ended while stopped is particularly dangerous compared to other accident types. You can consult with a collision attorney after being rear-ended to get started on your collision claim. Our lawyers created a car accident guide to help you in this situation.

Here are some of the most common rear-end collision injuries, their symptoms, and how they happen.

Who is at fault when rear-ended while stopped?

Typically, the driver who rear-ends a stopped car is considered at fault in such accidents. Regardless of whether the front vehicle stopped suddenly or for other reasons, the responsibility for the collision generally lies with the driver who fails to maintain a safe distance or fails to react appropriately to the stopped vehicle.

What Is the Cause of Most Rear-Ended Collision Injuries?

The cause for most rear ended collision injuries can very but we wanted to list a few in which our law firm has come across. Much like any auto accident, there are several conditions that cause rear-end crashes. However, most occur when the driver in the front slows down or stops, and the driver behind them isn’t prepared.

With this in mind, most rear-end accidents, and common injuries from being rear ended happen due to:

  • Tailgating,
  • DUI/DWI,
  • Distracted driving:
    • Rear end crashes are the most common because of the prevalence of distracted driving. According to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), distracted driving accounts for 87% of rear-end collisions. This type of crash occurs when a driver fails to notice the vehicle in front of them in time to slow down or stop, leading to a collision.
  • Poor road conditions,
  • Bad brakes,
  • Worn tires, and
  • Low visibility.

In many of these situations, the driver following behind negligently ignores their surroundings or drives aggressively. This often results in a serious crash, especially if the motorists are traveling at high speeds.

For this reason, more than a quarter of all rear-end collisions result in serious injuries.

What Damage Can a Rear-End Collision Cause?

So, what happens to your body in a rear-end collision? Usually, the force from the impact causes the body to jerk forward without warning.

This is why safety mechanisms like seatbelts and airbags are important. Without them, the victim may hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield with violent force, causing serious injury or death. 

However, even though these precautions help prevent life-threatening injuries, but they can’t nullify all of the energy transferred to your body from the crash.

As a result, your head, neck, spine, and limbs may whip back and forth, causing soft tissue injuries or worse.

If the impact is strong enough, these safety precautions may fail, leading to a severed spinal cord or serious organ damage.

Most Common Injuries from a Rear-End Collision

Whether a rear-end accident happens at low or high speed, the chance of an injury is significant.

While these injuries range in severity, they all result in a painful or difficult healing process.

Here are some of the most common injuries from a rear-end collision and their symptoms.

Whiplash

Being the most common injury in a car accident, it’s no surprise that whiplash poses a huge problem in rear-end crashes.

This injury occurs when the soft tissues in the head, neck, and shoulders strain or tear due to excessive movement.

Symptoms of whiplash from a rear-end collision typically include stiffness, pain, weakness, numbness, and headache. 

Spinal Injuries

Back injuries, particularly those involving the spinal cord, are among the most severe.

When the human spine takes more pressure or stress than it’s meant to withstand, it may fracture vertebrae or cause herniated discs.

In severe cases, this may result in paralysis of the lower limbs. It might also cause other symptoms like weakness, numbness, nerve pain, or pressure throughout the body.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Almost all impacts or sudden movements of the head cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Perhaps the most common is a concussion, which occurs when the brain hits the inside of the skull.

While this may not seem serious at first, concussions can lead to cognitive issues, confusion, loss of balance, behavioral changes, and uncontrollable drowsiness.

Out of all long-term rear-end collision injuries, TBIs are some of the most unpredictable and devastating.

What to Expect After Being Rear-Ended

After a rear-end accident, we highly recommend seeking medical attention as soon as possible because all of the common injuries from being rear-ended could result in serious injuries.

Some injuries don’t present symptoms at first, even if they’re serious, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When examined, you can expect several diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, etc.

After you receive a diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe medication for inflammation and set up a rehabilitation plan, especially if you have neurological or physiological symptoms.

Injured in a Rear-End Accident? Contact our Rear-End Collision Attorney Today.

At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we know that rear-end collision injuries often result in tremendous consequences for the victim.

Whether you need help negotiating with the insurance company or finding the right treatment, we’re here to help.

With decades of combined trial experience, our rear-end collision attorney always fights aggressively for our clients’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, please call us today at 575-222-1000. We proudly serve clients throughout the states of New Mexico and Texas.

Author Photo

James Tawney

James Tawney is a native of the Southwest dedicated to serving his community. He was born and raised in Arizona, where he attended Northern Arizona University and graduated summa cum laude.

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