According to the Mayo Clinic, neck and whiplash injuries are injuries that can result from a rear-end collision. Typically, occupants of the rear-ended vehicle experience a rapid back and forth motion of the head during impact, causing injury to the muscles and nerves in the neck.
While a whiplash injury from a minor accident may merely cause a few weeks of neck stiffness and discomfort, serious whiplash can result in life-changing consequences for an accident victim. However, while whiplash is common, accident victims can also experience other painful injuries in rear-end collisions. Some other injuries in such crashes can include:
- Slipped discs and other back injuries
- Brain injuries
- Daytona Beach Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Internal hemorrhage
- Fractures
- Muscle and tendon injuries
- Dislocations
Your Best Steps After a Rear-End Accident
It is important to note that injuries resulting from a rear-end collision are not always obvious right after the crash. When we suffer from shock in a car accident, our bodies may produce a large amount of adrenaline, reducing our ability to feel pain. Therefore, you may not feel a thing immediately after an accident, only to wake up in agony a few days later. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and whiplash, can take days to show any symptoms.
If you experience new and unusual symptoms in the days after a rear-end crash, make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor can rule out any serious conditions. Getting a medical report listing all your injuries from the rear-end crash can also provide you with excellent evidence of damages, should you later decide to hold an at-fault driver to account for any damages.
Your next best step after seeking medical help can be to consult with a car accident lawyer. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), negligent or careless drivers cause most accidents. If this has happened to you, you could potentially sue the at-fault driver and receive compensation for your injuries and expenses.
Compensation Available in Rear-End Collisions
The physical pain and emotional distress after suffering major injuries in a car accident can overshadow everything. However, the financial impact that typically follows can shock accident victims, particularly if they suffered from significant injuries that require hospitalization and comprehensive medical treatments. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, they should compensate you for your injuries. A car accident lawyer can help clarify your legal options and help you file a lawsuit.
Depending on your specific claim, you could recover compensation for:
- The cost of hospitalization and surgeries
- Appointments with specialists
- Medical devices required for your recovery
- Future medical expenses
- Over-the-counter and prescription medicines
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
You could also recover additional compensation. Do not wait too long to start the claims process—there are time restrictions for personal injury lawsuits in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free consultation at 1-800-747-3733.