RearEnd No damage, serious injury?

[secondJeep]

Hi,
My friend drives a Grand Cherokee 1998 laredo.
He was involved in an accident where he was rear ended. Both cars had no visible damage ( exterior) however its now 5 days and he is still in hospital, with serious whiplash inury and a mild head injury. a Bad bruise across his shoulder ( where the seat belt sits) and a bump on his head.

What is funny, is....how can someone have such injuries when there is no visible damage to the jeep? Is it possible that there is internal damage like differential or tranny? The car hasnt been checked out. But this was a discussion among some friends and I thought maybe someone out here could throw some light.

The tow truck driver was saying he has seen accidents like this, with now external damage but when invasive investigation into the car...transmission damage was identified? Now is this really possible? WOW.

[Bob D.]

Under the front and rear bumpers of late model vehicles equipped with plastic bumpers there are "impact absorbers". The plastic bumpers can get hit pretty hard and spring back with little visible damage, especially if they collided evenly, "bumper to bumper" as opposed to an offset impact.
Remove the bumper and inspect the absorber, you will probably see considerable impact compression damage depending on the speed at the time of the collision.
Also, check the distance of the bumper from the body - it may be pushed in but not readily noticeable. That's why insurance adjusters don't finalize their reports until the vehicle has been fully inspected for hidden damage.
Combine that with a little bad luck...

[fredjacksonsan]

Hope your friend ends up ok.

This is the same type thing we see in racing: some guy will flip 14 times and walk away, while some drivers are killed in minor collisions.

Definitely have the vehicle fully inspected by a competent body/frame shop.

[secondJeep]

Thanks guys.
Its true also that we've heard of people rolling their cars and walking away scratch free and people dieying in minor collisions.
Well the car is now at the dealer to be inspected. I guess they will give an opinion next week.
It would be a shame if the diff or the tranny has gone in it.

[bringselpup]

Do not disregard the advice of earlier posters but also know my 93 took out a Suburu Forrester when I was rear ended once. I drove away with no more damage than a pissed off dog who was in the back at the time. The Forrester had to be towed. My trailer hitch split his bumper, hood was crumpled and the radiator got punctured.

The only thing later was it took a garage 30 min with an acetylene torch to free the hitch from the receiver box.

[secondJeep]

Thanks guys for your response to the above question.

Well, the rear bumper is/was replaced because of scratches or whatever

My buddy is out of hospital, but has significant pain which hopefully will subside after sometimes.

HOWEVER, apparently there is a tranny cooler line leak :S

Anyone here know if its a big job or a $5 job?