Common Injuries in Rear End Collisions

Rear End Collisions Are More Dangerous Than Most People Think

Rear end collisions account for roughly 29 percent of all car accidents nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Texas, where congested highways like I-35, I-10, and US-290 see heavy daily traffic, rear end crashes happen thousands of times every year.

Many people assume that rear end collisions are minor fender-benders. Insurance companies encourage that assumption because it helps them minimize claims. But the reality is that the sudden, unexpected impact of a rear end collision subjects your body to violent forces that can cause serious and lasting injuries. Even crashes at speeds as low as 10 to 15 miles per hour can generate enough force to damage the structures of your neck and spine.

Whiplash

Whiplash is the most well-known injury associated with rear end collisions. It occurs when the force of the impact causes your head to snap backward and then forward rapidly, straining the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck.

Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, headaches originating from the base of the skull, shoulder and upper back pain, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms may not appear until hours or days after the accident.

Insurance companies often dismiss whiplash as a minor injury. But medical research has shown that whiplash can cause chronic pain lasting months or even years. Some patients develop a condition called whiplash-associated disorder, which involves persistent neck pain, reduced range of motion, and neurological symptoms.

Herniated Discs

The force of a rear end collision can cause one or more of the intervertebral discs in your spine to herniate, meaning the soft inner material of the disc pushes through the tougher outer layer. A herniated disc can compress nearby spinal nerves, causing radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs.

Herniated discs most commonly occur in the cervical spine (neck) or lumbar spine (lower back) following rear end collisions. The injury may require treatment ranging from physical therapy and epidural steroid injections to surgical intervention such as a discectomy or spinal fusion.

Insurance companies frequently argue that herniated discs are pre-existing degenerative conditions rather than accident-related injuries. However, Texas law recognizes the "eggshell plaintiff" doctrine, which means the at-fault driver is responsible for all injuries caused by the accident, even if the victim had a pre-existing vulnerability.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

You do not have to hit your head on anything to suffer a concussion in a rear end collision. The rapid acceleration and deceleration forces can cause your brain to move within your skull, impacting the inner surface and causing a traumatic brain injury.

Concussion symptoms include headaches, confusion, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbances, and balance problems. Some concussions resolve within weeks, but others develop into post-concussion syndrome, which can cause symptoms lasting months or longer.

Mild traumatic brain injuries are often missed in emergency room evaluations because they do not always show up on CT scans. If you are experiencing any cognitive or neurological symptoms after a rear end collision, it is important to see a neurologist who can perform more detailed testing.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

The compressive forces in a rear end collision can cause a range of back injuries beyond herniated discs. Vertebral fractures, facet joint injuries, and spinal cord compression can all result from the impact.

Severe spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis. Even less severe back injuries can cause chronic pain that interferes with your ability to work, exercise, and perform daily activities. Back injuries often require long-term treatment including physical therapy, pain management, and in some cases, multiple surgeries.

Shoulder Injuries

During a rear end collision, your body is restrained by the seatbelt while the force of the impact pushes you forward. This combination of forces can cause shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and shoulder impingement.

Shoulder injuries from car accidents often require MRI imaging to diagnose and may need surgical repair. Recovery from shoulder surgery typically involves months of physical therapy and restricted activity.

Psychological Injuries

The psychological impact of a rear end collision should not be underestimated. Many accident victims develop anxiety about driving, especially in situations that resemble the circumstances of their crash, such as stopping at red lights or being followed closely by another vehicle.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, sleep disturbances, and general anxiety are all recognized injuries under Texas law. You can recover compensation for mental anguish and emotional suffering as part of your personal injury claim.

Why Low-Speed Rear End Collisions Still Cause Serious Injuries

Insurance companies frequently argue that low-speed impacts cannot cause significant injuries. They point to minimal vehicle damage as evidence that the occupants could not have been hurt. This argument ignores the biomechanics of rear end collisions.

Research from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and other institutions has demonstrated that the forces transmitted to a vehicle's occupants during a rear end collision can be two to five times greater than the forces shown by the vehicle damage. Modern vehicles are designed to absorb impact energy through their bumpers and frame structures, which means the car may show little damage while the occupants absorbed significant force.

What to Do After a Rear End Collision in Texas

Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Follow your doctor's treatment plan without gaps. Document your symptoms in a daily journal. And do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without first speaking to an attorney.

Contact Medina and Medina at (512) 883-0012 for a free consultation. We handle rear end collision cases throughout Texas and understand the medical and legal complexities these cases involve. You pay nothing unless we win.