Richard J. Dehncke
Attorney at Law

Richard Dehncke has the distinct honor of being recognized as one of Colorado’s Super Lawyers. Injury Attorney Richard Dehncke has proudly represented seriously injured persons and their families confidently, competently, and compassionately for 30 years. His legal practice emphasizes traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, RSD, and wrongful death. A graduate of the University of Michigan and University of Denver College of Law, Mr. Dehncke has attended the prestigious Harvard Law School Center for Legal Negotiation. He is an instructor with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Memberships include the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and Colorado Bar Association. He has been awarded the highest national AV rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

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Over 2.5 million rear end collisions occur every year and according to the National Safety Council, they are the most common automobile accidents in the United States. Even at low speeds, injuries can  occur in rear end collisions and if not treated properly, can lead to a lifetime of pain and disabilities.

Whiplash Injuries:

The most common injuries sustained during rear end collisions are soft tissue injuries and the most common of all the soft tissue injuries are whiplash injuries. As the automobiles collide, the forces of the accident are transferred to the passengers of the car and can cause the neck to snap forward and backwards violently. Almost 20% of all victims of a rear end collision will experience some form of whiplash. If untreated, whiplash can cause pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders and lead to chronic disabilities. Even in low speed collisions, 30% all whiplash victims experience neck pain up to 3 years later. In severe cases, whiplash can even cause herniated or bulging discs in the neck and spinal cord.

Herniated or Bulging Disc Injury:

Another common soft tissue injury is a herniated or bulging disc. During an accident, the forces of the collision can cause the small bones connected to the spine to shift violently out of place. When this occurs, swelling and pressure can build causing the discs in the spine to “herniate” out of place causing extreme pain, numbness and limited mobility.

While high speed collisions will certainly cause serious and life changing injuries, low speed rear end collisions can have far reaching consequences as well. Many victims of low speed collisions often leave the scene of the accident mistakenly assuming they are not injured. As the weeks and months progress, these injuries can worsen setting many victims up for a lifetime of chronic pain. The majority of back and soft tissue injuries can only be diagnosed by an MRI, making them even more difficult to properly diagnose and treat.

If you or a loved one was injured in a rear end accident, contact a personal injury attorney immediately to avoid missing the window to file a claim. Medical expenses can quickly overwhelm even the best insurance policies and years of physical therapy and rehabilitation can lead to missed work and a decreased quality of life. If your injuries are a direct result of another person's negligence or carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation.