One of the most common types of car accidents are rear-end car accidents. People don’t stop fast enough, or they aren’t paying attention to the traffic signals. Usually, rear-end collisions don’t result in serious injuries. However, this is not always the case. Even a car going at 30 mph can cause an awful lot of damage in a rear-end car accident. If you are injured in a rear-end accident in Carrollton, GA you are entitled to compensation.
Your case will depend on the injuries you suffered. You may walk away with just minor scrapes and bruises. Your car may have some dents and dings. If this is the case, you may have an easy case that settles with the insurance company. If your case is more complex, however, it may take a lot of time and resources to prove your case.
Either way, you will want to have an experienced lawyer by your side. The attorneys at The Law Office of John B. Jackson are here to answer all of your questions. They will review your case and give you an idea of what your case is worth. Let’s look at the different types of injuries you may suffer in a rear-end car accident.
Whiplash
A lot of people suffer whiplash as the result of a rear-end car accident. You can suffer whiplash anytime your neck and head are jostled about. Whiplash is just a fancy way of saying a neck or back injury. When a car hits you from behind, it will usually cause your neck to jolt back and forth. This can cause soft tissue damage in your neck. It can happen in any type of car accident but is most common with a rear-end car accident.
When you get whiplash, it is because your neck extends farther than it is supposed to. Your muscles can tear, and your ligaments get stretched. It can hurt for a few hours or a few weeks.
Here is the kind of pain that whiplash can cause:
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Headaches
- Pain and stiffness in the neck or back
Sometimes, it takes a while for whiplash to set in. Make sure you seek medical treatment right after the accident. It’s important that you be able to have a doctor testify about your whiplash. This is because whiplash is so hard to prove. It isn’t an injury that you can prove with x-rays or MRI. Often times, people think you are making up the whiplash injury. Juries may fall prey to this as well. You need to have a doctor testify that he examined you and you have whiplash.
Back Injuries
It’s hard to escape a rear-end car accident without a back injury. You will probably feel sore and tight after an accident. You may not think you are seriously injured, and you may refuse medical treatment. Don’t do this. Back injuries are hard to detect at first. You could have disc issues that don’t set in for a few hours or until the next day. You won’t feel all your injuries right away. Be on the safe side and go to the hospital.
When you go to the hospital, they will likely do x-rays and an MRI scan. They will be able to tell right away if you have any serious back injuries. They can provide documentation to this effect should you need it for court or for the insurance company. Even if the injuries are minor, you may need medical treatment.
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy. He may put you on medication for the pain. He may suggest you go to a chiropractor. All of these things cost money. They also mean you will need medical care in the future to treat these injuries. The person responsible for your accident needs to pay.
Your car accident attorney in Carrollton, GA will review your medical records. He will talk to the doctor and see just how bad your injuries are. He will get reports and letters to use in court. If you wait too long, it may be too late to do so. There won’t be proof that your injuries came from the car accident and not some other accident.
Airbag Injuries
Car companies brag about having driver and passenger airbags. This is because airbags are supposed to keep us safe. They protect us from serious impact in a car accident. However, airbags can cause injuries when they deploy. You could get lacerations or bruises on your face and chest. You may even suffer broken bones.
Go to the hospital and get checked out. The chemicals in the airbags can cause burns to your eyes and face. You need to get medical treatment. You also need medical records to document your injuries in case you do have to sue. Your attorney will ask for this documentation when he prepares your case.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are very dangerous. They can cause partial paralysis or total paralysis. Either way, you will lose the use of limbs. You may end up in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. Damages associated with spinal cord injuries are high. They represent the dramatic changes that you will have to make to your life. There is no way to fix paralysis. All you can do is hope doctors can perform surgery to prevent further injury.
If you suffer a spinal cord injury, you won’t have a choice – you will be going to the hospital. You will likely undergo surgery. You may need multiple surgeries and will probably have long hospital stays. Someone needs to pay for these sorts of injuries and suffering.
You can get a spinal-cord injury from a rear-end car accident. It doesn’t require a ton of force – just force that results in damage to your spinal cord. Your attorney will fight for the most money he can get for you. You will possibly need care for the rest of your life.
Head & Brain Injuries
Aside from a spinal cord injury, the most serious types of injuries are head and brain injuries. They are common in car accidents. They can be the result of a rear-end car accident. All it takes is for your head to bang into the steering wheel or windshield. You may suffer lacerations, bruises or broken bones. If you are very unlucky, you will suffer injuries to your brain.
Brain injuries are not always obvious. It may take days before you notice there is something wrong. You may wake up the day after a car accident and realize you can’t walk right. You may be dizzy or have blurred vision. Brain injuries can cause memory issues and speech difficulty.
Because head and brain injuries can cause long-term problems, your attorney will fight for fair compensation. You may not be able to work as a result of your injury. You may have to switch careers. It is your attorney’s job to evaluate your injuries and file for damages.
Facial Disfigurement
We are all vain. If you suffer terrible cuts or bruises to your face, you are going to be traumatized. You may need stitches. You could have broken bones in your face and you may need cosmetic surgery. All of these things cost money and cause pain. You need to get these injuries treated while they’re fresh.
Wrist and Arm Injuries
Rear-end car accidents often cause injuries to your wrists and arms. You drive with your hands. You also tend to try to brace yourself for impact using your hands and arms and you may have cuts or broken bones. Most of these injuries can be treated to prevent long-term damage. However, you could suffer nerve or tendon damage that requires surgery. You may need physical therapy.
Seat-Belt Injuries
Seatbelts prevent you from being thrown from the car. They also prevent many sorts of injuries. In so doing, however, seatbelts can cause their own injuries. You may experience cuts to your chest or neck from the seatbelt. It locks to protect you, and this could cause damage to your neck and shoulder. When you go to the hospital they will check to see if you have suffered these types of injuries. Most can usually be treated. However, you don’t want to take any chances.
Why Do You Need a Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer?
Rear-end car accidents can cause all sorts of injuries. We have covered most of them here. When you are injured, you need to seek compensation. You need a good rear-end car accident lawyer. Contact the attorneys at the Law Office of John B. Jackson in Carrollton, GA. They have the experience and knowledge to get you what you deserve.
Your attorney will evaluate your case. They will give you an idea of what damages they think you are entitled to and will contact the insurance company to negotiate payment. They will deal with the other driver’s attorney and will make every effort to settle your case. Some of the damages they will seek are:
- Current and future medical bills
- Expenses such as co-pays, car rental fees, etc.
- Vehicle repairs or vehicle replacement not covered by insurance
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
You want to call an experienced Carrollton, GA attorney right after you seek medical treatment. Call The Law Office of John B. Jackson for a free consultation. He will review your case and give you an idea of what your case is worth. He received nothing until your case is won.
