Rear-end collisions are very common—and extremely annoying! They’re often the result of drivers not paying attention while on the road. Most of the time, they aren’t very serious although they can lead to injuries such as whiplash. Sometimes they can, however, be much more severe—completely wrecking a car and causing serious injury. There are other, more hidden issues that can also arise, which is why we’re publishing this blog post all about hidden problems caused by rear-end collisions.
Leaving your vehicle misaligned
Your car is carefully designed to be perfectly aligned. This ensures it drives in a straight line and responds correctly to steering. A rear-end collision that may seem unharmful can misalign your vehicle, making it difficult to steer at high speeds and therefore very dangerous. If you’re ever in a rear-end collision, you should always have your vehicle checked by a trained professional to ensure t’s safe to drive.
Trouble with transmission
Being hit from the rear can affect your transmission—especially in rear-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive vehicles. If your transmission is damaged, you may be looking at a hefty bill, but transmission problems can sometimes take months to reveal themselves. It’s best to get it checked straight after the collision to ensure you get it covered by the other driver’s insurance.
Body issues
The body of your vehicle is designed to absorb the impact of collisions. This keeps you safe on the inside while the outside crumples. While this is a great safety mechanism, it means that even small bumps can compromise the integrity of your vehicle’s body so you’re not as well protected if you’re then involved in another collision. To ensure your vehicle is safe and strong, get it checked if you’re rear-ended—even if it seems like it’s only an aesthetic issue at first glance.
Broken brakes
If you’re rear-ended while you have your brakes on, they take the full brunt of the collision. This can actually damage the braking system—sometimes beyond repair. They may be leaking fluid, have cracked or warped discs, or even have become dislodged. All of these issues can become serious if you need to ever stop at high-speed. So, get them checked even if it’s just a precaution.
You and your passengers
We’ve talked so much about the effect rear-end collisions can have on vehicles, but what about the people inside them? Of course, any damage to a vehicle is irrelevant when compared to the damage done to a person. Whiplash, head and neck injuries, shock, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all relatively common with rear-end collisions. Adrenaline can numb the pain in the immediate aftermath so you should always seek medical attention—it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Rear-end collisions are common and usually only minor. You should, however, always take the necessary precautions if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in one. If you find yourself in this situation, bring your vehicle down to JD’s Auto Repair for a full test and service to ensure it’s roadworthy. Our expert staff are fully trained to ensure any vehicle they put on the road is safe to drive, and if someone has collided with your vehicle’s read-end, the safety checks and any work that is needed is usually covered by the other driver’s insurance.
