Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of accidents that occur on U.S. roadways. A rear-end collision transpires when the front of one vehicle strikes the back end of another vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 28% of all highway accidents are rear-end collisions. While rear-end collisions are quite common, with approximately 2.5 million occurring each year, most people regard this type of accident as more of an annoying hazard of driving than as a real problem.
But it is important to remember that a car accident is never an enjoyable event. Even a minor “fender bender” can cause a driver a multitude of problems. However, all too often the severity of a car accident is judged by a quick visual assessment of the vehicles involved. If there is minimal damage to the driver’s car it is assumed that there should be little to no injury to the driver and his or her passengers. But this is simply not true. Much like the saying “you cannot judge a book by its cover” the same is often true for car accidents.
In the case of rear-end collisions, it is true that often there is minimal damage to the victim’s car. Sometimes, nothing more than a dented bumper. However, this does not mean that the victim is uninjured simply because his or her vehicle only received minor damage. A rear-end collision can cause life-altering medical problems for a victim, usually stemming from injuries, including but not limited to:
- Damage to brain/spinal cord
- Concussion
- Bleeding in the brain
- Broken/fractured ribs, collar bone, or sternum
- Cuts or scarring to the face or head
- Arm and leg injuries
A driver who is injured in a rear-impact collision may initially feel “okay” after the accident. This is because often these types of injuries take days or even weeks after the accident to manifest. Whiplash, for example, is often experienced when a person is the victim of a rear-end collision. A type of neck injury, whiplashes occurs after impact when the head suddenly moves backwards and then just as suddenly, moves forward—the same motion as someone cracking a whip. In minor cases, whiplash can last a few weeks or months. In more severe cases, the pain can last several years or even longer and can be the cause of chronic pain.
The scariest part of whiplash is that the degree of injury is not necessarily based on the severity of impact. This means, that the driver of a car that is hit from behind can suffer from whiplash no matter if the car that struck him or her, was traveling at 10 mph or 40 mph. This is true because the speed the car was traveling is not as important when it comes to whiplash, as is the “surprise” factor. If a driver was not aware that he or she was about to be hit, then he or she could not have braced him or herself for the impact.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries as the result of a rear-end collision, the experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our skilled team of injury attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive proper compensation. The team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injured clients around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. We invite you to contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule an initial consultation. Our caring and hardworking injury attorneys will make getting back on your feet, easier on you.