There are many kinds of injuries that you could suffer if you’re hit from behind while driving. Rear-end crashes, which may happen when you’re stopped at an intersection or when you need to slow down in traffic, usually push vehicles forward with a jolt. This may lead to the people inside being thrown forward and back in their seats.
Depending on the force of the collision, it’s possible to have all kinds of injuries. Three of the most common include:
- Spinal injuries
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash
Here is more information about each of these serious wounds.
Spinal injuries
Spinal injuries are the first kind of injury to watch out for. When you’re hit from behind, the force may cause the body to lurch forward and back quickly. This can damage the spine. Additionally, if there is damage to the vehicle, it’s possible to have an impact that causes lacerations or other damage to the body and spine.
Brain injuries
Brain injuries are possible in a rear-end collision. There is a risk that you could hit your head on the dashboard or steering column, for example. In the rear seats, you could hit your head on the windows or impact other debris.
Whiplash
Finally, whiplash is possible in a rear-end crash as the head is likely to swing forward and back quickly. Whiplash could lead to brain injuries if it’s severe enough, even if you don’t hit your head. With whiplash, it’s possible to have damage to the cervical spine and the spinal cord, as well.
Any of these injuries or others may make it hard for you to live your life normally after a car accident, which is why it’s so important to seek medical care as soon as possible. The right treatment early on may help treat and reverse some kinds of damage to the body.
After you get help, remember that you can look into pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver. You deserve support if you have been injured in a crash that was not your fault, and you may be able to hold the other driver liable.