The initial image most people conjure up when talking about auto accidents is a mangled wreck of a vehicle. Metal is smashed, windows are shattered and all that’s left is a tow truck taking the car to its final resting place. The truth is that many auto accidents look far different from that image. If fact, even minor auto accidents without much damage can inflict a great deal of pain.
Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of auto accident in the United States. A crumbled bumper and a sudden jolt may seem like the only effects. But some symptoms take a little more time to show themselves. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in rear end collisions. Specifically, whiplash does not always show immediate signs of injury. It is also referred to neck strain. Whiplash is the actual tearing of tendons in your neck. Sometimes, it takes several hours for the pain to set in. The effects of whiplash can be ongoing and its symptoms can include the following:
- Numbness in neck area
- Constant headaches
- Dizziness and back pain
- Lack of neck mobility
Other injuries that are the result of a rear end collision could be more severe. That severity usually depends upon the speed of the driver at fault. More severe injuries are head injuries, nerve damage to the bag of legs, back sprains, and blunt trauma that comes from hitting the steering wheel or windshield. However minor they may seem at the time, injuries resulting from a rear end collision could turn out to be major issues.
The thing about rear end collisions is that they are preventable. And since they are preventable, someone is always at fault. More than half the time, it is usually a male’s fault. In a study conducted by the National Traffics Highway Safety Administration, the likelihood of involvement of young male drivers in rear-end striking crashes was 1.5 times greater than that of young female drivers. The reason for that is aggressive driving is more prevalent among male drivers.
However, the main cause of rear end collisions is not aggressive driving, but distracted driving. Talking on the phone and texting while driving are two forms of distracted driving. There are other forms as well. When you are hit in a rear end collision, it is pretty much a guarantee that the other driver is at fault. There are exceptions, such a person jamming on their brakes for no apparent reason. But that is often a failed defense.
Looking for a settlement in a rear- end collision comes with a bit of calculation. The first part of the settlement comes from the actual dollar amount of damage caused to the vehicle. The second part comes in the form of lost income. Time off work is factored in and your lost wages expand the settlement figure. These are considered general damages, which consists mainly of pain and suffering. Add up all those figures and therein lies the amount of your rear end collision settlement.
If you are the victim of a rear end collision, you can look to the seasoned Mississippi Car Accident Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC for assistance. You might be deserving of more compensation than you realize. The help of one of our specialists can go a long way in getting you compensation for your pain and suffering. Experience will be on your side with a team of qualified attorneys that can lead you to legal success. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation at (800) 707-9577.
