Surprisingly Serious Injuries from Rear-End Collisions

 Posted on November 10, 2023 in Car Accident

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car crash. This type of accident can happen in a split second, resulting in serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries.

If you have been involved in a rear-end collision, you need a Cook County car accident attorney to fight for the compensation that will help make you “whole again.” Keep reading to learn about the types of injuries that you may suffer in a rear-end collision.

Whiplash

In a whiplash injury, the neck is thrown forward and then backward rapidly, causing damage to the nerves, tendons, muscles, discs, and soft tissue of the neck. While many people recover from whiplash within a few weeks or months, some people have persistent pain for several months or even years.

Symptoms of a whiplash injury include:

• Neck pain
• Dizziness
• Pain in your arm or hand
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in your ears
• Shoulder pain
• Low back pain

Spinal Cord Injuries

Every year, between 250,000 to 500,000 people suffer from spinal cord injuries, with motor vehicle crashes being a major contributor. 

The spinal cord is a band-like structure that is responsible for transmitting messages from your brain to the rest of your spine. Depending on its location, anything below the injury site will be compromised. For example, if a person’s injury occurs lower in the spinal cord, he or she may lose leg function. 

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:

• Paralysis
• Loss of bladder control
• Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the hands or feet
• Weakness in any part of the body
• Difficult breathing
• Trouble walking
• Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back

Rib Fractures

Rib fractures involve a crack or complete break in one or more of the ribs. Depending on the severity of a rib fracture or if you fractured multiple ribs, you may need to visit an ER. If you have a broken rib bone, there is a chance that the bone can puncture the lung and other vessels that supply blood to the heart. 

Symptoms of rib fractures often include:

• Swelling or tenderness around the injured ribs
• Bruising
• Discoloration of the skin
• Trouble or pain when inhaling deeply
• Sharp pain when laughing, coughing, or sneezing

Pelvic Fractures

The bones of the pelvis are strong, and pelvic fractures are uncommon in everyday life. However, pelvis fractures are common in high-speed rear-end collisions. 

Pelvic fractures can occur in a high-impact collision involving a break in one or more bones of the pelvis. Pelvic fractures can be mild or severe, with severe pelvic fractures potentially being life-threatening. 

Symptoms of a pelvic fracture may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Numbness or tingling in the groin or legs
• Pain in the hip or lower back
• Bleeding from the vagina, urethra, or rectum
• Difficulty urinating

If you have suffered any of these injuries or another serious injury in a rear-end collision, a Chicago, IL, car accident attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve. 

A Chicago, IL, Car Accident Attorney Never Giving Up for You

A rear-end collision can put your life on hold. If you have been injured in a rear-end collision, you need a Cook County, IL, car accident lawyer who can help you recover damages through an insurance claim or settlement. Contact Adler Law Offices, LTD online or by phone at 312-236-2700 to schedule your free consultation today.