Being hit from behind while driving can cause injuries that vary from minor to fatal. As many Louisiana residents who have been injured in such accidents can attest, even seemingly minor rear end collisions can result in debilitating injuries. The severity of an injury might not be evident until days after the crash, but, in other cases, the damage is seen right away.
Regardless of the circumstances, it is crucial that a doctor examine you and anyone else in your vehicle as soon after the accident as is possible. The most common injuries in a rear end collision are to the neck, back and/or head. The severity of these injuries is not always easy to diagnose.
A mild concussion could be worse than at first believed, and permanent brain damage could occur. The same is true of neck and back injuries. Even if a doctor is not able to ascertain how bad the injury actually is at first, it is important to begin the trail of evidence — especially if it turns out that a serious injury occurred.
When it comes to head, back and neck injuries, the damage can affect your work and/or home life. Furthermore, it can keep you from engaging in activities that you enjoyed prior to the accident. Therefore, gathering as much evidence in the first days after the accident for use in a civil action is wise.
Proving that your injuries were the result of another person’s negligence is an integral part of any personal injury claim. A Louisiana court will want to see evidence that establishes that a certain party or parties is responsible. An award of damages could be considered if the evidence meets the burden of proof required in cases involving rear end collisions.
