Many of the injured people who come to me for help suffer
from neck, back and brain injuries resulting from rear end collisions. Based on my experience and the findings of
noted personal injury author Arthur C. Croft, DC, MS, FACO, these injuries are common
but many physicians fail to comprehend the forces at play and the seriousness
of injuries caused. These injuries can result in lifelong disability and pain.
I have invited
insurance adjusters who claim that no one could be injured in a "low speed"
collision to sit blindfolded in a target vehicle and allow me to rear end that
vehicle with another at a moderate speed of 5 to 10 miles an hour. I have never
had anyone take me up on this. There are
YouTube videos available demonstrating what happens to the human body when a
car is struck from the rear at these comparatively low speeds. The head is heavy and the forces act almost
instantaneously. Back when cars showed crush damage, a lot of the energy given
up by the striking vehicle was absorbed in heat and deformation of metal and
plastic parts. Today, however, cars are designed not to show damage but instead
to attenuate or delay for a few milliseconds the transmission of energy to
minimize damage to automotive parts.
Unfortunately, the delay that preserves the automobile does little or
nothing to prevent injury when the car accelerates forward.
These
accidents and the transfer of severe energy pulses to the bodies of unaware
victims, happens so fast that most victims can't even remember what happened to
them. Often the weight of the passenger
loads up the seat back with energy as the vehicle is pushed out from under him.
His head flies back and then the seat back unloads the energy and springs
forward flinging the passenger to wrap around the seat belt and shoulder
harness. Often unaware accident victims when asked, will say they did not hit
themselves on anything inside the vehicle, when they indeed violently struck
their heads and torsos on the head rest and seat of the vehicle and then on the
restraint systems, then back on the seat and head rest again.
Neck pain
is the single most common complaint following a whiplash injury. The complex structures of the human neck are easily injured
at the forces and energies generated even by low speed vehicle collisions. It
is the almost instantaneous acceleration
of the body which is pushed out from under the unrestrained human cranium that
tears and injures these micro structures. It's no wonder people suffer weakness
confusion, clumsiness, tingling and pain in their necks shoulders and arms
following these traumatic events. The
fibers within the discs that cushion the joints of the vertebral bones can and
are often crushed and permanently deformed by these traumas.
Low back pain is also a common type
of injury. The rapid flexion and extension of the joints in the low back
stretch and tear muscles and ligaments and compress and herniate the vertebral
discs.
Brain injuries are often seen as a
result of these reared collisions and whiplash injuries even without loss of
consciousness. The jelly-like
consistency of the human brain allows it to slap back and forth inside the
rugged interior of the cranium, stretching and tearing fine structures in the
brain. Recent advances in MRI technology
allow this fine “axonal shearing” to be routinely imaged if the proper
protocols are requested by attorneys or physicians. Many of my clients have
extended periods of confusion, memory trouble, emotional upset, fatigue and
other nervous system disorders. Although
I am not a physician, I have seen the vacant, numb stare of these unfortunate
individuals from across my desk many times in the past.
Other victims complain of hormonal
problems, headaches, visual problems, ear problems (both ringing and dizziness),
and pain and popping in the jaw joints.
The symptoms are so varied that it
is critical for anyone who suffers injury in a rear end collision to be
thoroughly evaluated by someone familiar with these injuries and the wide
variety of symptoms that can result. The most important thing an accident
victim can remember is to: tell every doctor, every problem, on every visit.
For a Free Consultation call 727-475-6854.
I hope you found this information helpful. About every 2-3 weeks
or so I’ll provide additional meaningful articles regarding
personal injury issues and related legalities.
Until then, Be Careful Out There!
All My Best-
Bill Schneikart
Personal Injury Lawyer
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