A motorcycle rider died recently when he was rear-ended by a driver in a passenger vehicle. According to Decatur Daily, the 53-year-old victim was stopped on his motorcycle on Alabama 67 as he waited to make a turn into a private driveway. Authorities responding to the scene indicated there did not appear to be distraction or speeding involved. The crash happened simply because of where the motorcyclist was stopped on the road, as the driver didn't see him.
Unfortunately, rear-end accidents can commonly lead to fatalities and serious injuries, regardless of whether the rear-ended vehicle is a car or a motorcycle. Motorists need to be aware of the potential for serious injury and do everything they can to avoid becoming involved in a rear-end accident.
Serious Injury Risks from Rear-End Accidents
Death is the most tragic outcome when a rear-end accident occurs. A fatality in a rear-end collision is more likely to occur when the crash happens at high speed or, as in the accident on Alabama 67, when the rear-ended vehicle is a motorcycle. Motorcycle riders have little protection from the impact when hit from behind. Any crash, however, could be fatal.
When motorists survive rear-end accidents, the injuries sustained in the collision could still have a life-changing impact. A motorist who is involved in a rear-end accident in either the front car or the rear vehicle could sustain brain damage, internal bleeding, internal organ damage, broken bones, spinal cord damage, or other grave injuries. Because the driver in the rear vehicle is usually presumed to be at fault for the crash, victims who have been hurt by being rear-ended may be able to make a claim against the rear driver to get past and future medical bills and other damages covered.
Yet another common type of injury which is especially likely to occur in rear-end accidents is whiplash. Whiplash happens when the force of a rear-end collision causes the body to rapidly move back and forth. The neck can become hyperextended and/or the soft tissues of the neck could otherwise be damaged by the forced back and forth movement.
Whiplash doesn't always result in symptoms right away after a rear-end accident, and symptoms may not become apparent for as long as long as 24 hours to 48 hours. However, when the symptoms do develop, a victim can experience significant pain and limited mobility. A victim who has suffered whiplash also has a chance of the condition becoming a chronic or permanent one. The victim may experience ongoing discomfort that impacts his or her ability to work. This should be factored in when an injury claim is made to recover compensation against the motorist who caused the rear-end collision to occur.
If you or someone you love was injured in Mobile, Alabama, contact Dean Waite Attorneys at Law at 866-434-5840. Call today to learn how we can help.