Rear-End Collisions Can Cause Serious Back and Neck Injuries
Rear-end accidents are among the most dangerous vehicle crashes that regularly occur in the New London area. They often occur without warning to the occupants of the front vehicle, which means that they don’t have an opportunity to brace themselves for the impending impact. Not surprisingly, rear-end collisions can result in severe back and neck injuries, some of which could affect victims for the rest of their lives.
Below is some information regarding some of the more serious neck and back injuries that can result from rear-end accident. To discuss your specific case with a New London car accident lawyer, call our office today or contact us online.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a non-medical term that is used to refer to a range of injuries that can affect the soft tissues of the neck and back when the head snaps backward and then forward, resembling the cracking of a whip. People who are occupants of the front vehicle in a rear-end collision often suffer whiplash injuries, as the sudden acceleration and deceleration can cause the head to move in this way. While whiplash has gotten a bad rap in recent years, it is a very real injury that can cause debilitating symptoms that can last for weeks, months, and, in some cases, even years. These symptoms can include:
- Pain when moving the neck or head
- Neck stiffness
- Neck pain
- Loss of range of neck motion
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain or tenderness
- Back pain or tenderness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Serious Soft Tissue Injuries
Rear-end accidents can also result in more general soft-tissue injuries to the neck or back, including bruises, lacerations, sprains, and strains. These injuries often are extremely painful and may require medical treatment and weeks of bed rest for victims to recover fully. In particularly serious cases, these kinds of injuries can lead to chronic pain that may result in years of pain management treatment, including physical therapy and pain-relieving drugs. Sometimes, victims may even develop long-term disabilities related to injuries to spinal discs or other soft tissues of the back and neck.
Spinal Cord Injuries
In some cases, a rear-end accident can result in a spinal cord injury (SCI). When the spinal cord is injured, it can cause extremely serious complications, including complete paralysis below the site of the injury. Even in less serious cases, victims can suffer from muscle weakness, loss of range of motion, loss of sensation, and other significant issues.
Call Polito & Harrington Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a New London Personal Injury Attorney
The lawyers of Polito & Harrington are committed to helping rear-end accident victims obtain the compensation to which they are entitled under Connecticut law. We offer completely free consultations and will never collect legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation with an auto accident attorney in New London, call our office today at (860) 447-3300 or send us an email through our online contact form.
