Most people drive for many thousands of miles without ever worrying about the consequences of a rear-end collision. The common perception is that if it happens, it will just be a minor fender bender.
The reality is that the negligence of another driver can lead to a high-speed crash at any time. Under the right conditions, a rear-end collision will cause severe injury with long-term effects.
Can a rear-end collision cause paralysis?
When another vehicle strikes your car from behind, the impact puts a particular strain on your back and neck. Whiplash is a common and relatively harmless result of such an impact, but the effects can be far worse if the other vehicle is significantly larger than your own and travels at a very high speed. In a worst-case scenario, you might experience tearing or severing in the spinal cord. The resulting condition may be quadriplegia or paraplegia, implying partial or complete paralysis below the point of injury.
Can you get compensation for your injury?
After a life-changing injury, you deserve financial compensation to help you afford proper treatment and maintain a consistent quality of life. Proving fault in a vehicle accident is a necessary part of this process. Be aware that if your crash involves a large commercial vehicle, liability might also lie with the trucking company, maintenance crews, and any other parties that bear responsibility for the vehicle’s actions on the road.
You will always be a little safer when you acknowledge that catastrophic injury can occur at any time on the road. Be aware of the longer stopping distance of large vehicles behind you, and remember that you have options for pursuing compensation if you do experience a severe accident.
