Common Damages After a Rear-End Collision

Rear-end crashes are very common. Most rear-end crashes just end up in minor injuries, with some cases leading to more severe injuries. After the collision, victims face economic, non-economic, and property damages that are compensated through the at-fault party’s insurance. 

As soon as you get into a rear-end crash, contact a personal injury lawyer to protect your legal rights. A lawyer knows how to calculate your compensation based on medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. 

Understanding Rear-End Collisions 

When a forward-moving vehicle fails to stop due to tailgating, sudden braking, or distracted driving, it hits the rear of the vehicle in front of it. These are usually also known as “fender-benders.” 

Though most rear-end collisions are minor, they are one of the most common accidents that occur on the road. The victims can face injuries, property damage, and even fatalities in some cases. 

Injuries in Rear-End Collisions 

• Whiplash affects 80% of the victims in rear-end collisions because victims throw their heads forward and backward due to the force. 

• If the victim hits their head, they may get a concussion or traumatic brain injury, leading to dizziness, cognitive issues, or memory loss. 

• The sudden impact on your back can affect the spine, and you can sustain back or spinal cord injuries. 

• Soft tissue injuries can affect muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fat. 

• Broken fragments from your car’s dashboard can cause face and eye injuries. 

• A sudden hit can sometimes result in neck and shoulder injuries. 

• May face internal injuries, bleeding, and fractures in severe rear-end collisions. 

• Beyond physical injuries, psychological consequences like PTSD, trauma, and depression are common too. 

Common Damages in Rear-End Collision 

The compensable damages can be legally categorized into economic, non-economic, and property damages. 

Economic Damages 

These damages are calculated based on the length of financial losses you endure after a rear-end collision. These are usually tangible, and you need documentation, bills, and receipts to prove the amounts of financial losses you’ve suffered. Economic damages include 

Medical Expenses 

We know how expensive it is to even treat a minor bruise in hospitals. At least a few injuries may require emergency room visits, and treating these injuries comes with surgery, medication, and therapy costs.

Lost Wages 

This covers your lost income. If you already had a job or any form of income source, and the collision prevented you from making that money, you can recover this lost wage through compensation. 

Loss of Earning Capacity 

The inability to earn income doesn’t just stop even after you are discharged from the hospital. If the injuries from the accident still limit your body from working properly, this future loss of earning capacity is compensable. 

Property Damages 

The expenses it takes you to repair your damaged vehicle as a result of the rear-end collision are compensable. These property damages come under economic damages. 

Common property damages in rear-end collisions include 

• Without a doubt, the bumpers are prone to damage in rear-end collisions. They may get crushed, dented, and cracked. 

• The taillights are cracked or broken from the impact from behind. 

• The trunk of your car may get misaligned or be left with a minor dent. 

• Rear window, the car’s frame, exhaust system, tire, and wheel damage are also common. 

Non-Economic Damages 

These are not seemingly perceptible. These damages are more inward and represent the psychological and emotional consequences of the collision. 

If the rear-end collision resulted in intense depression, having recurring flashbacks of the accident (PTSD), not being able to enjoy your life anymore, or an inability to engage in anything at all, these pains and sufferings can be absolutely compensated. 

Why Is Hiring a Rear-End Crash Lawyer Critical? 

Fighting for the right to get compensation by yourself can be very hard. As much as the burden of evidence falls on the victim, assistance from a personal injury lawyer specializing in rear-end crashes will still be an immense help. 

As soon as you hire the lawyer, they will start the investigation and start collecting evidence along with you. Prepare yourself and them against the attacks of the insurers. 

With proper evidence, an experienced lawyer will secure the compensation you deserve.

Key Takeaways 

• A rear-end collision happens when a moving vehicle hits another vehicle in front of it.

• Whiplash, brain injury, neck and shoulder injuries, soft tissue injuries, face injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries are common injuries.

• Medical expenses to treat injuries, medication bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity are economic damages.

• Non-economic damages include intangible damages like PTSD, trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

• Bumper cracks, breakage of taillights, and misalignment or damage of the trunk, rear window, and frame are common property damages that are compensable.