What Happens To Your Body In a Rear-end Crash?

A car accident can happen at any time and even though car accidents can range widely in severity, even small accidents can lead to serious injuries. One of the most common types of accidents is a rear-end collision. Sometimes, drivers are rear-ended on the highway because someone is following too closely. In other cases, someone might get rear-ended in a parking lot because someone is on the phone while driving.

Other people might not notice that there is a red light and collide with someone stopped at the intersection. During a rear-end collision, the body undergoes a lot of stress, which is why everyone should visit an auto injury clinic to have all possible injuries and symptoms addressed by a professional.

rear end crash

What Does the Body Experience During a Rear-End Collision?

A significant number of accidents every year are rear-end collisions, with most of them involving two vehicles. Hundreds of thousands of people suffer injuries in this specific type of accident every year. While some injuries are superficial, others are catastrophic. What makes injuries following rear-end collisions so difficult is that the symptoms do not always show up immediately.

While accident speed does play a role in the severity of any injuries suffered, even a minor wreck can lead to major damage. Upon impact, the car and all passengers (including the driver), jerk forward at high speeds. The body snaps back against the seat thanks to the seatbelt. The skull and spine are quickly forced back into the seat. Because nobody in the car is bracing for an accident, the motion is even more violent.

As a result, many rear-end collisions lead to internal, soft tissue, and spine injuries. Even seatbelts and airbags, which are designed to save lives, can increase the risk of suffering an injury. This is another reason why everyone must see an accident injury doctor following a rear-end collision.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Rear-End Collision?

There are a number of common injuries that a professional auto injury doctor might treat following a rear-end collision, including:

A Herniated Disc

This is one of the most common injuries that people suffer following a rear-end collision. This injury takes place when the discs in between the vertebrae in the spine rupture. Also called a slipped disc, this can lead to shooting or stabbing pains that travel down the arms and legs. The most common location of a herniated disc is between L3 and L4 or between L4 and L5. This injury happens when a high amount of pressure is placed on the spine, causing one or more of the discs in the back to rupture. While there are a lot of people who undergo surgery for a herniated disc following a rear-end collision, this is not always required. Work with a car accident injury doctor to assess all options before making a decision.

Whiplash

Whiplash is arguably the most common injury that people suffer in a rear-end collision. Whiplash takes place with the cervical ligaments at the top of the spine and near the neck are sprained. When someone strikes the car from behind, the neck snaps from side to side or from front to back quickly. This sudden, jerking motion causes the ligaments to spasm, spraining them. Individuals who have suffered a whiplash injury might have trouble turning the neck from side to side, making it hard to sleep, work, or drive a car.

There are multiple treatment options available, including chiropractic adjustments that could help someone recover from whiplash quickly after a rear-end collision.

Compression Fractures

It is not unusual for someone to suffer compression fractures in the back following a rear-end collision. As the name suggests, these are fractures that take place in the spinal column as a result of high-pressure forces compressing the vertebrae in a car accident. While some compression fractures might be small, it is not unusual for someone to suffer multiple compression fractures in a rear-end collision. With the right imaging modalities, it is possible to diagnose these fractures and develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address them.

Recurrent Headaches

Finally, there are many people who are involved in a rear-end collision who develop headaches. Some people develop tension headaches, which take place when the muscles in the scalp pull against the head, creating the feeling of a vice. This might happen if someone suffers a muscle strain in the accident, particularly if the muscles are in the neck or back.

Other people might suffer migraines, which can cause someone to develop hypersensitivity to bright lights and loud noises. Migraines can also lead to nausea and vomiting. With careful adjustments of the spine, it is possible to recover from tension headaches and migraines following a rear-end collision.

All of these injuries can lead to major complications, which is why you should see a car accident injury doctor as soon as possible following a rear-end collision. That is where our team can assist you.

Contact Dr. Wagner for the Best Car Injury Doctors in FL

If you are looking for a professional car accident clinic following a rear-end collision in the Daytona Beach region, look no further than Dr. Wagner. At Dr. Wagner, our office will work with you personally, making sure all of your issues and injuries are completely addressed. Our goal is to help you make a full recovery following your accident with minimal exposure to complications and side effects. To learn more about how professional car accident doctors can help you, please contact us today!

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