Rear-End Accidents

Auto Accident Lawyer - Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of auto accident, accounting for over 30% of all reported accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these crashes are low-speed collisions, and you may think that you can just drive away without much worry after exchanging information. But many rear-end crashes are serious--they account for nearly 10% of fatalities in two-vehicle accidents--and even the most seemingly minor of crashes can result in serious soft-tissue injuries.

If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of a rear-end auto accident, the lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. stand ready to help you. Please schedule a free auto accident consultation today.

Accident Severity

In many cases, the assumption is that a rear-end collision is a minor form of car accident. However, this is not always true. Many people suffer significant soft-tissue injuries ("whiplash") to the vertebrae of the neck (cervical vertebrae), injuries that may be associated with long-term pain, and an increased likelihood of future injury. Even a low-speed crash can force your head and neck to bend and deform in unnatural ways, stretching nerves, ligaments, tendons, or muscles of the neck. This can contribute to neck strain and concussive brain injury.

Whiplash Risk Factors

Studies have recently shown that not everyone is equally likely to experience a neck injury in an accident. Research shows that women are 1.8-3 times more likely to suffer a chronic whiplash injury. Since women are more likely to be struck than striking in a rear-end collision, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, this makes them even more likely to be the victims of serious injury due to another driver's negligence. Risk was also increased by being in the driver's seat, which can double your risk of whiplash. Also, drivers older than 65 are somewhat more likely to suffer severe injuries from a rear-end accident.

Risk also seems to be related to the position of the head at the time of the accident, with drivers looking left or right less likely to experience whiplash injury than drivers looking straight ahead.

Car Design and Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end injury accidents may be made more likely by the design of your vehicle. Head rests have been implicated as a significant factor in whiplash injuries. Some vehicles have well-designed headrests, while others do not, increasing your risk of significant whiplash injuries at even very low speeds.

Insurance Problems with Rear-End Accidents

Some believe that rear-end accidents are minor car accidents, and as a result you may have trouble with insurance companies refusing to pay damages for serious injuries. A common attitude of insurance adjusters is that damage to your car is an accurate gauge of injuries you are likely to sustain. We know this is not true, and can help you express the full human dimensions of your accident.

If you were injured in a rear-end accident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, the car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. stand ready to help. Please call or email us today to set up a free consultation.

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