Springs snap?

The rear shocks on my car are BOTH snapped. How can this be? The ride seems normal and I didnt notice until the car was inspected by a technician. They showed me and I was disbeliefed. Offer some explanations? I do some crazy driving, but the bumps I have endured dont even rock my kidneys, hardly jolt. I do some hand braking tho, does that make the springs crack? Also, it is a 1999 bought used, so previous owner did it? The rear springs BOTh have a plastic cover that seems to be put over the spring crack to cover it up if there was indeed a cover up.... HELP! :uhoh:

The springs can crack due to all kinds of things. In some cases, it don't effect the ride too much, handling seems to differ a little bit. It's usually caused by bouncing the car way too much, the springs being exposed to chemicals and too much water and road dirt, and also by the suspension slamming on the ground, a lot of weight being carried around in the rear end, and possibly sliding it around way too much.

actually its pretty standard in some escorts mainly the 2nd generation, 91 - 96. he might have said shocks, but shocks dont snap they just go bad. its your springs that snapped. but mine arel ike that too, once one goes, the other is going to since its so off balanced. its just a common problem with the escorts, not your driving, altho it did help them break.