Getting rear-ended can cause more than a jolt to your vehicle; it can leave your body in pain, disrupt your routine, and make your future uncertain. If you suffered a hit from behind, you may already be experiencing symptoms like neck pain, headaches, or difficulty concentrating. These signs often point to deeper injury. Injuries from being rear-ended are among the most frequent results of car crashes in New Jersey, and they can carry long-term consequences.
You deserve answers early in the process. Understanding what injuries are common and symptoms to watch for can help you seek proper treatment and support a strong legal claim. The experienced attorneys at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., are here to guide you through the process and advocate for your rights.
Rear-End Collision Injuries Are Often Hidden at First
Rear-end collisions send force through your body with no warning. Your muscles tense. Your head snaps forward and then back. That sudden motion can damage soft tissue, vertebrae, or internal structures, whether the car behind you was traveling 10 miles per hour or 50. Rear-end collision injuries may not appear on scans immediately, but the harm can be real and lasting.
The most common injuries include:
- Latigazo cervical,
- Hernias discales,
- Facet joint irritation,
- Lumbar sprain,
- Concussion,
- Rotator cuff or shoulder tears, and
- Jaw dislocation (TMJ).
These conditions affect your ability to work, drive, sleep, and focus. If untreated, they may worsen. A thorough medical evaluation within hours or days of the crash helps document the connection between the accident and your condition, a key part of proving fault under New Jersey law.
Each body reacts differently to trauma. Some people feel stiff right away. Others develop symptoms slowly. Never assume the absence of blood or broken bones means you’re uninjured.
Injuries from Being Rear-Ended Often Involve the Spine and Brain
Rear-end crashes send most of the force through your neck, upper back, and head. The human spine can only absorb so much shock before something gives. Injuries from being rear-ended frequently involve:
- Cervical strain and whiplash. Soft-tissue damage in the neck and upper back can limit motion, trigger migraines, or cause radiating pain in the arms.
- Disc herniation. Discs in the spine can bulge or rupture, pressing on nerves and creating long-term pain or numbness.
- Post-concussive symptoms. Even without loss of consciousness, a blow or jolt to the head can result in mood swings, fatigue, or memory issues.
- Thoracic and lumbar strain. In a seated position, the middle and lower spine absorb much of the shock, which can cause muscle tears or joint damage.
- TMJ disorder. The jaw may shift upon impact, creating clicking, soreness, or difficulty chewing.
These types of trauma affect more than your comfort. They interfere with everyday tasks and make even minor activities feel exhausting. Rear-end injuries may also trigger a flare-up of old conditions, which can still be compensable if worsened by the crash.
Rear-Ended Injury Symptoms Warranting Immediate Care
You may feel shaken but unharmed in the minutes after a crash. Pain often builds slowly, especially when adrenaline masks discomfort. Rear-end injury symptoms can begin with subtle changes and escalate in intensity over several days. Early treatment is crucial to prevent long-term complications and establish a medical record to support your claim.
Pay attention to symptoms like:
- Neck or shoulder tightness,
- Tingling in hands or feet,
- Head pressure or ringing in the ears,
- Trouble sleeping,
- Nausea or blurred vision,
- Jaw or facial pain, and
- Soreness that worsens with activity or sitting.
These symptoms may reflect deeper structural damage. Delaying diagnosis can give insurers a reason to question the cause of your injuries. Insurance companies often try to deny or minimize soft-tissue claims, especially if the injured person did not seek medical attention immediately.
Injury from Rear-End Collision Claims May Include Several Types of Damages
Car accident claims allow you to pursue compensation for losses caused by someone else’s negligence. An injury from a rear-end collision may result in a wide range of damages, depending on your medical outcome and how the injury affects your life.
Claims often include:
- Gastos médicos—ER visits, diagnostics, physical therapy, surgery, and prescription costs;
- Lost income—wages missed due to recovery time or ongoing disability;
- Dolor y sufrimiento—the physical and emotional toll of dealing with injury;
- Reduced quality of life—impact on daily function, independence, or activities; and
- Future medical care—anticipated treatment needs and long-term care.
The value of your claim depends on documented losses and the severity of your symptoms. In Nueva Jersey, injury victims must meet the “verbal threshold” for serious injury if they selected limited tort insurance. Many rear-end injuries, such as disc herniations or concussions, may qualify under this statute.
Why Early Documentation Matters
Rear-end crashes often result in legal battles over causation. Insurance companies may admit fault for the accident but dispute whether the crash caused your pain. Rear-end injuries are frequently soft-tissue or neurological, which can be harder to quantify on paper. Your ability to secure full compensation often depends on early, consistent documentation.
Keep a record of:
- Pain levels and limitations,
- Time missed from work,
- Activities you can no longer do,
- Emotional changes following the accident, and
- Conversations with providers about expected recovery time.
Even if imaging tests do not show a break or tear, your description and your doctor’s records create the evidence needed to support your injury claim. If your condition interferes with driving, lifting, caring for children, or performing job duties, your claim should reflect that disruption.
In many rear-end crash cases, securing fair compensation can depend on how well you document your symptoms and losses. An experienced attorney can help you preserve evidence, meet deadlines, and ensure serious treatment of your injury from day one.
Let Us Help You with Your Injury Claim
The effects of a rear-end crash often show up slowly, but they can last for months or even years. Insurance companies may question what you’re feeling, especially if your scans are clean or you delayed treatment.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we work with injury victims across New Jersey to build clear, evidence-based claims that reflect the full impact of their injuries. If you’re still dealing with symptoms after being rear-ended, now is the time to make sure those losses are documented and taken seriously. Give us a call or connect with us through our secure online form to programe hoy mismo una consulta gratuita.
David Pierguidi y Jared Glugeth entienden lo difícil que puede ser para usted y su familia después de un accidente resultante de las acciones negligentes de alguien. Obtenga el tratamiento médico que necesita de inmediato y luego llame a nuestro bufete de abogados en cualquier momento del día para obtener respuestas a sus preguntas.
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