The most common accident I see here in Mississippi is a “rear-end” car accident, where one automobile strikes another from behind. A host of physical injuries ranging from whiplash to death can result from this sort of accident, some of them develop immediately while others take years to become a debilitating problem. Cars often suffer a range of damage as well, from a dented fender to a total loss. Clients come to me wondering whether they can be compensated for these damages and who will do the compensating. I have answers to those questions and strategies for helping you through this challenging time.
If you have sustained an injury as a result of a rear-end accident, you must hire experienced counsel to help you attain your fair share of compensation for your pain, trauma, loss of income, and injuries. Our Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney has the experience to help you if you have been injured. Contact us now at (800) 707-9577.
Rear-End Accident Causes
There is an endless variety of rear-end accident causes. Here is a list of the ones I see most commonly:
Distracted Driving—with the rise of cell phones, it seems like fewer and fewer people are watching the road when they drive. Instead, they are checking texts, emails, or even watching movies. These distractions can result in an accident when a car stops in front of them while their eyes are looking at a device.
DUI—reduction in muscle reflex and response time is one effect of driving under the influence. If you are in a vehicle that stops with an impaired driver following you, it is likely that his or her ability to stop will be slowed, which can result in a rear-end accident.
Tailgating—driving too close to another car can result in a rear-end collision if the front vehicle slows or stops unexpectedly.
Unexpected Stops—sometimes a car must stop short, either due to a child or animal running out in the road or another car’s sudden stop. A rear-end collision results if the following vehicles are traveling too fast to stop.
Weather—if the roads are unexpected icy or rainy, cars traveling too fast for the conditions can experience reduced or no breaking, resulting in rear-end accidents.
Rear-End Accident Injuries
Whiplash—this is a common term for stiffness and pain in the shoulders and neck occurring after the neck and head “whips” beyond their normal range. Remember, your head weighs as much as a bowling ball and is balanced on top of your spinal column. When you are hit from behind, that weight moves back and forth so quickly that it strains the soft tissue—muscle and ligaments—that are meant to hold it in place.
Back Injuries—your spine is not a solid chord but is a stack of small bone discs separated by cartilage. Within that stack of bone discs is your spinal cord. The entire spine is held together with cartilage, ligaments, and muscle. Because the spine has so many moving parts, it does not take much of a car accident to shift one of those discs or strain one of the muscles supporting the spine. Any one of those small tweaks can result in long-term pain and discomfort. Any injury to the spinal cord itself can result in paralysis or death.
Face and Head Injuries— your face and head can be injured whether you are in a high-speed accident or a slow fender-bender. In a slow speed accident, your face and head may be injured because the airbags did not deploy, resulting in your head hitting the steering wheel or objects in the car. In a high-speed crash, your face and head may be injured by the airbag’s explosive force.
Seatbelts—while most people think of seatbelts as essential safety devices, they can also cause harm. In their effort to restrain your body’s forward movement when you are hit from behind, seatbelts can put extreme pressure on the shoulder, neck, torso, and internal organs.
What Should You Do If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured Due to a Rear-End Collision?
If you or a loved one was injured in a rear-end accident, you might have a viable personal injury claim for your injuries, for any damage to your car, for any time you have been out of work, and the costs of your treatment and rehabilitation. This is my area of expertise. Let me take care of organizing your bills, attaining statements from expert witnesses, and dealing with the other driver’s attorney. These are just a few of the critical, complex tasks that a personal injury attorney will handle for you while you concentrate on healing and getting back on your feet again.
Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you have suffered an injury. Contact us now at (800) 707-9577.