November 30, 2020 CAR, TRUCK, AND MOTORCYCLE CRASHES Chris Stolmeier

Rear End Collision

A rear end collision can be devastating, especially if caused by a large truck. While Texas does not keep statistics on the number of rear end collisions in Texas, rear end collisions are the most common type of car accidents in the nation. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there are 1.7 million rear end collisions in the United States every year. Approximately 17,000 people die in those collisions and another 500,000 are hurt.

Rear End Collision Fault

Fault in a rear end collision will almost always fall on the driver who makes collides with the driver in front of him. This is because rear-end collisions almost always occur due to the trailing driver tailgating, speeding, driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated.

However, the leading driver can be at fault if he:

• Reverses suddenly
• Backs into another car
• Does not have properly operating brake lights
• Suddenly stops to turn
• Brake checks the trailing driver

Common Injuries

Rear end collisions can cause many injuries. Some of these injuries include:

• Whiplash
  • Whiplash injuries can result when the trailing car collides with the car in front of him. The collision will cause the leading driver’s head to suddenly and violently forced backwards, straining and injuring the muscles and ligaments in the neck.
•  Back Injuries
  • Even low impact rear end collisions can exert extreme forces on your back. These forces can cause back injuries which compress your vertebrae, cause slipped discs, pinch nerves, etc.
• Airbag Injuries
  • Airbags are intended to increase the time that you decelerate from a collision. The longer it takes your body to come to a complete stop, the less force is exerted on your body. The airbag acts as a cushion and deflates once you strike it. An easy way to understand how an airbag works is if you dropped one egg onto a concrete floor and then you dropped a second egg onto a pillow. The second egg will have far less damage not only because the pillow cushioned the egg, but also because the pillow allowed the egg a longer time to decelerate and come to a stop.
  • However, airbags can still cause severe injuries. These injuries can include:
    • Abrasions
    • Heat burns
    • Bruises
    • Broken fingers
    • Broken nose
    • Facial fractures
    • Rib fractures
• Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries can result from rear end collisions as the force of the collision causes your head and neck to be violently thrown backwards.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries are common injuries in a rear end collision. The collision will cause your head to be thrown backwards into the head seat. Your brain is extremely fragile and will impact the back of your skull, then rebound and contact the front of your skull. These impacts can cause brain bruising and even brain bleeds. Any traumatic brain injury requires immediate medical attention.
• Seat Belt Injuries
  • Seat belts save lives, but they can cause injuries in a rear end collision. These injuries can include:
    • Bruises
    • Lacerations
    • Broken ribs
• Leg And Arm Injuries
  • During a rear end collision your legs and arms are generally unprotected and are at the mercy of the force of the collision. As a result, your legs and arms can suffer injuries such as:
    • Bruises
    • Lacerations
    • Fractures
• Death
  • Death usually only results in high speed rear end collisions or rear end collisions caused by large trucks.

Contact Stolmeier Law

Stolmeier Law is a family owned and operated law firm. We have served victims of rear end collisions and other personal injury victims in San Antonio and South Texas for over 35 years. We have the skill, knowledge, and experience to get you maximum compensation possible for your rear end collision claim. So if you or a loved one has suffered life changing injuries in a rear end collision, contact Stolmeier Law. Let this family fight for you.