As a motorist, you know that you can be involved in many types of accidents.
For example, another driver could run a stop sign and hit your vehicle on the side. Or maybe another driver navigates the wrong way on a one-way road, thus leading to a head-on collision.
From an injury perspective, a rear-end collision can be extremely serious. This has the potential to cause many types of injuries.
The bad thing about a rear-end collision is that most drivers don’t see it coming. One second, you’re sitting at a stop sign or red light waiting to go. The next, you’re struck from behind with great force. Without a chance to brace yourself for the accident, there is a greater chance of serious injury.
What is whiplash?
A whiplash injury often occurs when another vehicle hits yours from behind, even if the second car is traveling at a low rate of speed. Some of the most common symptoms of a whiplash injury include:
— Headaches
— Stiffness in the neck
— Dizziness
— Severe neck pain, which is typically dull and aching
— Back pain
— Difficulty balancing
— Difficulty concentrating
— Memory problems
While some of these symptoms can set in immediately after a rear end collision, this is not always the case. Instead, it may be several hours or days before you begin to experience pain and discomfort.
With this in mind, you should never hesitate to receive medical attention after a rear-end collision. Instead, you need to head to a local emergency room for an examination and diagnosis. Through the use of several tests, such as an MRI and X-ray, you can better understand your injuries and the best treatment strategy.
A rear-end collision can cause a variety of serious injuries, all of which can cause pain and discomfort. In the most serious of situations, an injury could impact you for the rest of your life.
If you find yourself in this position, consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience with whiplash injuries. Once you do so, you’ll better understand the steps you can take next. You may be able to seek compensation from the motorist who struck your vehicle from behind.