A rear-end accident is a type of motor vehicle accident in which the front portion of one vehicle crashes into the rear end of another vehicle. Rear-end crashes commonly result from tailgating, distracted driving, driving under the influence, sudden stops, speeding, and weather visibility issues. They are the most common type of motor vehicle crashes and account for about 29% of all collisions. They likewise result in serious injuries and deaths. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 2,346 deaths due to rear-end crashes in 2019.
Common Injuries in NYC Rear-End Accidents
All motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause fatal injuries, including read-end crashes. Usually, however, persons who get injured in such crashes suffer from the following soft-tissue injuries:
Bruises
Seatbelts are made to firmly and instantly hold the torso in place in case the vehicle gets hit. In a rear-end crash, your body will be slammed forward and hit the safety straps. Significant scrapes and bruises to the torso, neck, and shoulders could result from the seatbelt’s impact.
Arm and Hand Injuries
These injuries could occur to vehicle occupants when they get violently jerked around by the crash’s impact. In some cases, arm and hand injuries, such as sprains and fractures, could result from the force of a deployed airbag.
Whiplash Injuries
The term whiplash is used for describing stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders. It occurs when the shoulders, neck, and spine violently and suddenly snap or move beyond the normal range of motion. Up to 1 out of 5 individuals involved in rear-end crashes sustain whiplash injuries, and approximately 80% of them experience soreness and pain that lasts for weeks to months. Additionally, 50% of these individuals will feel soreness and pain for a year or more. In some cases, unaddressed whiplash injuries can develop into more serious injuries.
Head and Face Injuries
Plenty of rear-end crashes happen at slow speeds. In these cases, your face could smash right into the steering wheel if the airbag doesn’t deploy. This impact could break the jawbone and cheeks, fracture the nose, and, in worst cases, detach the retina. You could likewise end up with significant bruising or cuts of the face when airbags deploy. In more severe cases, some people also sustain traumatic brain injuries.
Back Injuries
These can be immensely painful even at lower speeds because the force of the crash’s impact could cause compress the spine and the discs in the spinal column’s lower back portion. The most common back and spinal injuries linked to read-end collisions are bulging or herniated discs.
Speak to a Skilled New York City Auto Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries from a rear-end accident in NYC, you might be entitled to pursue compensation from the liable party on top of your PIP or no-fault insurance coverage. For a free review of your case and legal options with our New York auto accident lawyer here at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman, call us at 212-285-3300 or fill out our online form.