Rear-End Car Accident Attorney In Vancouver, WA

For the most part, a rear-end accident in Vancouver is generally the fault of the driver in the rear but this is not always the case. Regardless of whether you believe yourself to be the at-fault driver or the innocent party in a rear-end accident, it is always a good idea to at least consult, if not immediately engage, a good accident attorney. This is particularly true if you are the driver in the rear and do not believe yourself to be at fault in the accident.

National Rear-End Car Accident Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, more than 2.5 million rear-end accidents are reported annually throughout the U.S, which makes them the most common type of car accident. In addition to the alarming statistics above, rear-end collisions are responsible for approximately 950,000 injuries and 2,000 deaths every year.

What Is Whiplash?

A rear-end accident is also frequently referred to as a “whiplash collision” because of how likely they are to cause whiplash injuries. Whiplash injuries occur due to a rapid, back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. The reason they are so common in rear-end accidents is that the victim’s body is immediately and rapidly pushed forward due to the force of the impact of being struck from behind but the neck stays momentarily behind before suddenly being thrust forward with a great deal of force. This rapid hyperextension and flexion of the neck generally result in muscles and ligaments around the spine being stretched or torn due to this rapid, jerking movement.

Whiplash Symptoms

These are the most common symptoms of whiplash:

• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder pain
• Low back pain
• Dizziness
• Pain in your arm or hand
• Numbness in your arm or hand
• Ringing in your ears
• Blurred vision
• Concentration or memory problems
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Tiredness

During most accidents, the body immediately starts pumping adrenaline, which can sometimes mask the severity of a whiplash injury. In most cases, it may be hours and sometimes even days before the full severity of the injury is felt. This is also why it is always recommended that accident victims seek medical treatment immediately, even if they do not feel injured.

Washington State Car Accident Statistics

According to statistics compiled by the Washington State Department of Transportation in 2010, vehicular accidents caused 2,474 serious injuries and 43,988 minor injuries, with an additional 458 people losing their lives. Many of these deaths and injuries were caused by a rear-end accident. Other potential injuries from a rear-end accident can include:

• Head trauma from a victim’s head hitting the steering wheel or other parts of a vehicle’s interior. If the impact is strong enough, it can cause a traumatic brain injury, which can sometimes cause permanent damage.
• Back and spine injuries can sometimes result from a spinal disc herniating or even rupturing on impact. In some worst-case scenarios, this can even result in permanent paralysis.
• Facial injuries from broken glass from a window or windshield or an impact with the steering wheel can cause cuts or lacerations. In some cases, this may even result in permanent facial disfiguration.
• Broken bones can occur from hitting a steering wheel hard enough to break a driver’s nose or passengers hitting a front console or anything else they may collide with on impact.

Experienced Vancouver Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers

These are just a few of the many injuries that may occur in a rear-end accident. In addition, some injuries may happen after the accident but as a direct result of the accident, such as a spinal disc becoming herniated during an accident and then eventually rupturing as a result of the accident.

If you’ve been injured in a rear-end accident within Washington our experienced Vancouver, WA accident attorneys are here to help.  We have helped individuals who have been injured on Interstate 5, highway 14, surface streets and even parking lots within Clark County, Cowlitz County, Skamania County,  Pacific County, and other areas of Washington and Oregon.

If you need the help of an experienced accident injury attorney, please contact our firm today for a FREE case review.