Rear-End Car Accidents in Atlanta

    ATLANTA, GA, April 18, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In the U.S., rear-end car accidents are the most frequently reported type of collision. In fact, nearly 2.5 million rear-end accidents are reported every year in the U.S. according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

You may think of rear-end collisions as minor "fender-benders" that result in little property damage and injury. But in reality, even rear-end crashes that happen at low speeds can cause significant automobile damage and serious personal injury.

The NHTSA reports that rear-end accidents cause 950,000 injuries annually. And unfortunately, some rear-end accidents can result in death, especially in the cases of large truck accidents and passenger vehicles with defective parts. The NHTSA confirms that 2,000 deaths each year are caused by rear-end crashes.

Causes: Why Rear-End Car Accidents Happen

A rear-end car accident happens when one motor vehicle hits another vehicle in front of it. Common causes of rear-end collisions include:

- The driver of the vehicle in front brakes unexpectedly or makes a sudden stop due to other traffic or an unforeseen obstacle in the roadway.
- The driver of the vehicle in back is unable to react to a front vehicle's unexpected braking or stop.
- Driver distraction (caused by such things as cell phone use, eating, driving in an unfamiliar area, etc.)
- A driver failing to keep a safe driving distance from the vehicle in front
- Reckless driving or speeding
- Slick weather conditions
- Driver not reacting to road construction or other types of reduced-speed areas

Types of Injuries in Rear-End Car Accidents

During a rear-end traffic accident, the driver and passengers in both cars can be jerked around by the impact. The head and neck, unrestrained by seat belts, are the most vulnerable of body parts in this type of accident.

That is why the most common type of injury in rear-end accidents is the neck injury known as whiplash.

Other types of injuries associated with rear-end accidents include:

- Neck or back muscle strain (and spasms)
- Nerve damage or pinched nerves
- Concussion
- Herniated discs
- Burn injury (often the result of a poorly designed/placed gas tank on a vehicle)
- Broken bones (often from seatbelt failure)
- Brain injury (often a result of airbag deployment or striking the windshield)
- Spinal cord injury
- Arm, wrist or hand injury (often from striking the windshield or steering wheel)
- Knee and shoulder injuries (from front part of the vehicle crushing into the front-seat occupants)

If you or someone you love has been injured in a rear-end car accident, you may need the help of a personal injury attorney. Please consult the resources available online at Robbins & Associates PC, Attorneys at Law, home of Atlanta, Georgia's experienced auto accident lawyers.

Website: http://www.robbinslaw.com

# # #