Many people are unaware of the interrelation between frame mounted trailer hitches and rear end collisions. Indeed, if you think about the method by which the trailer hitch is fastened to your vehicle, it seems quite logical that an impact to the receiver of the trailer hitch would transfer energy directly to the frame of the vehicle. This is contrasted with accidents that occur without trailer hitches where the rear end of the vehicle looks terrible. I have included a picture below of such an accident. You will notice that the front end of the vehicle is quite crumpled. The purpose of the design of a modern car is to absorb impact from a collision. The crumpling is engineered to absorb impact and reduce injury. In contrast, trailer hitches do not crumple (in most rear end collisions).
The National Safety Commission issued a warning that rear end collisions where the vehicle is equipped with a trailer hitch may increase the severity of whiplash by up to 22%.
Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Just because it doesn't "look bad" doesn't mean it didn't cause injury.
