According to the Spinal Research Institute of San Diego (SRISD) the leading cause of neck and cervical spine injuries is whiplash. The condition whiplash is one of the most common injuries caused by rear end accidents between automobiles, with SRISD reporting around 2.5 million people injured in automobile accidents every year in the U.S.
The personal injury law office of Schwebel, Goetz and Sieben reports rear end accidents are the most common form of automobile accidents in the U.S. as of 2010. Rear end collisions are increasing as in-car cell phone use and other driver distracting features are introduced to new models of automobiles. Schwebel, Goetz and Sieben explain that the majority of injuries sustained during rear end collisions are less serious than those in the more dangerous types of crashes, such as the head on collision. In some cases, however, death has occurred due to the impact sustained during a rear end collision.
According to the chiropractic information website Chiroweb, the speed of an impact does not have a great effect on the injuries caused. Chiroweb reports research detailing low speed impacts of between 1 mph and 25 mph causing difficult to treat neck injuries. In the U.S., 80 percent of all neck injuries treated by medical staff are caused by automobile collisions. Of those 80 percent of neck injuries, around 85 percent are caused by rear end collisions. Research reported by Chiroweb explains that of the passengers in a rear end automobile collision, 10 percent develop whiplash symptoms.
The neck injury called whiplash, often developed after rear end collisions, is caused by the sudden movement of the body in a forward motion while the head remains static for a moment of time as a collision happens. Chiroweb describes that a rear end collision of only 8 mph can result in the acceleration of the impacted vehicle the equivalent of 2G of force pushing the vehicle. This is added to the acceleration of the head of an occupant in the vehicle being subject to acceleration in the region of 5G. Chiroweb explains that 1G of force is equivalent to acceleration in the region of 32 feet per second. A surprise injury sustained during a rear end collision is more likely to damage ligaments in the neck and back--when an impact is expected the muscles tense, causing them to be damaged first in the impact.
Personal injury lawyers Scwebel, Goetz & Sieben explain there are a number of typical injuries associated with rear end collisions. These injuries include brain, spinal cord and TMJ (jaw) injuries. Injuries affecting the spine include herniated discs and compression fractures of the vertebrae. The lower back of a person involved in a rear end collision can also be damaged with lower back sprains and hip fractures.
According to SRISD the most common forms of injuries caused by rear end collisions are to high bones, the spine and the surrounding ligaments. Other injuries to the lower limbs of the body are also possible. Schwebel, Goetz and Sieben describe knee injuries such as ACL and muscle tears. Also possible are injuries to the ankle, including sprains and fractures.
