If you drive on Mississippi’s roads, you have undoubtedly seen many “fender benders” or rear-end collisions between cars.  These accidents frequently result in whiplash and other soft tissue damage to the passengers’ necks and backs.  In this blog post, I will discuss two topics.  First, I will explain why rear-end collisions are particularly damaging. Second, I will explain what you should do if you are involved in rear-end collision. If you have been rear-ended, you need to speak with an experienced Mississippi personal injury attorney immediately, even if you do not feel injured.

If you or a loved one was involved in a rear-end collision, you will need to have experienced counsel help you attain your fair share of compensation for your injury, loss of work, and recovery. Barrett Law has the experience to help you—contact us now at (800) 707-9577.

Rear-End Accidents—Common and Damaging

Rear-end collisions pose a significant threat to motorists for two reasons.  First, they are prevalent and occur any time a motorist stops quickly or when other drivers are distracted. In our era of cell phones, these accidents are commonly caused by drivers looking down to send a quick text.  Second, because rear-end collisions involve a tremendous amount of force pushing the driver’s body forward against his or her seatbelt and, hopefully, airbags, there is a massive amount of force placed on the neck and back.  Remember, your head weighs as much as a bowling ball, so when it thrusts forward, it puts incredible force on the soft tissue and muscles that usually support it.

The most common injury resulting from a rear-end collision is “whiplash,” when the head rapidly accelerates forward and backward.  Whiplash can manifest in several different symptoms, including neck pain, headaches, numbness, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, memory problems, irritability, and depression. In some accident victims, it arises immediately; in others, it takes days or weeks to manifest. Other injuries arising from rear-end collisions are sore or injured backs, trauma to the head, and fractures.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Rear-End Collision

As I mentioned above, whiplash is the most common medical result of a rear-end collision, and this condition can develop long after the accident occurs.  As a result, you must attain a medical assessment of your health by a physician immediately after an accident.  Many people walk away from a crash, saying that they feel “fine.”  In reality, most accident victims are in shock and lack the clarity and experience to assess their condition adequately.  Attain a medical examination immediately so that there is a baseline assessment of your health after the crash.  If you wait to attain that assessment, the insurance company may argue that your pain and suffering arose from some subsequent event and may deny coverage.

Who Should I Call if I Was Involved in a Rear-End Collision?

If you or a loved one was involved in a rear-end collision, extensive, expensive medical treatment may be required, resulting in mounting bills lost income. Inexperienced counsel may lead you down a dead-end where you receive no compensation for your injuries. Instead, let experienced personal injury counsel take care of preserving your medical records, attaining expert medical opinions, and dealing with the defendant’s attorneys. These are essential tasks that only a personal injury attorney can handle for you.

Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you have suffered a serious burn injury. Contact our experienced Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney now at (800) 707-9577.