A rear-end collision is a particularly traumatic experience because it seems to come out of nowhere. Motorists in the front vehicle don’t see the collision coming and can’t brace for the impact. The crash force of a rear-end collision propels the motorist forward before the seatbelt snaps them back, placing tremendous stress on the body’s structural support system of muscles, tendons, vertebrae, and bones.
Victims of rear-end collision accidents often suffer painful and debilitating injuries, but rear-end collision injuries and liability are often misunderstood or misrepresented by insurance companies that protect their profits at the injury victim’s expense. GreeningLaw’s Richardson car accident attorney has the experience necessary to take on these insurance companies and recover full compensation on behalf of injury victims.
What Types of Injuries Happen In Texas Rear-End Accidents?
A rear-end collision occurs in an instant, but the injuries can cause months of pain and distress. In the worst cases, a rear-end accident can cause permanent disability or even wrongful death. Some of the most common injuries experienced in rear-end accidents in Texas include the following:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries, including ruptured discs and vertebral fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Knee fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries to knees, ankles, wrists, and shoulders
- Facial and dental trauma and other airbag injuries
- Contusions, abrasions, and lacerations
- Thoracic injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
According to data from the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is the most common rear-end collision injury. Unfortunately, whiplash and other rear-end accident injuries in Texas are often misunderstood or intentionally misinterpreted by insurance companies.
Delayed Symptoms In Texas Rear-End Accidents
It’s not uncommon for rear-end collision accident victims in Texas and elsewhere to avoid a trip to the hospital, believing their injuries are minor. Unfortunately, minor soreness or stiffness can worsen in the hours and days that follow as inflammation increases and puts pressure on nerves. Common rear-end collision injuries such as whiplash, ruptured discs, concussions, torn ligaments, and thoracic injuries to the chest and lungs often have delayed symptoms.
It’s always the best practice to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, even if you feel that your injuries are minor. With a thorough medical evaluation, a doctor can diagnose and begin early treatment for rear-end accident injuries with delayed symptoms. This also provides key evidence for insurers that your injuries occurred in the accident.
Understanding Liability In Texas Rear-End Accidents
Liability is another aspect of rear-end collisions that’s often misunderstood. Many drivers assume the driver in the rear is always responsible for the collision and liable for damages under Texas’s fault-based modified comparative negligence system. While the rear driver is most commonly found at-fault in a rear-end collision, the front driver could be found liable for injuries and property damage under circumstances such as the following:
- If they came to an abrupt stop or dramatically slowed, such as due to an animal crossing, pothole, or other cause
- If the front car’s brakelights and/or tailights didn’t come on due to a mechanical failure or poor maintenance
- If the driver of the front car failed to turn their lights on in foggy or rainy weather
Like all accidents, a Texas rear-end accident requires an investigation to determine liability. An experienced rear-end accident attorney in Texas conducts an independent investigation to maximize the chances of a favorable result for the personal injury victim.