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When a motorist is rolling along in traffic or exiting a parking lot at low speed, they don’t anticipate suffering an injury the type of minor fender-bender that happens in a collision with another vehicle or obstacle at slow speed. But what if a stiff neck, back, shoulder, or limb after a low-impact car accident becomes more painful and debilitating during the days and weeks following a fender-bender? What Is a low-impact car accident, and is it still possible to recover compensation if an injury results in medical bills and lost wages?
Most insurance providers and car accident attorneys refer to accidents that occur between 15-30 miles per hour as low-impact car accidents. It would seem that any injury suffered at a low speed wouldn’t be severe, but sometimes serious injuries occur even in low-speed collisions. Although seldom life-threatening, low-impact car accidents can cause a surprising level of trauma to the muscles and ligaments of the body. According to crash force calculations, an average 150-pound person becomes a 3,000-pound force propelled forward against the seatbelt in a collision at only 20 miles per hour. A motorist’s body continues moving forward at the speed the car was traveling before the collision until the seatbelt suddenly snaps them back against the seat. The force of even a minor collision puts strain on body structures including the back, neck, torso, and limbs.
The physical trauma of a car accident is significant, even at speeds as low as 15-30 miles per hour. One of the most common serious injuries experienced in low-impact car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash can occur in any type of collision, but it’s most common in rear-end accidents when the motorists in the front vehicle don’t see the accident coming and cannot brace for impact. Whiplash occurs when the neck snaps rapidly back and forth from a sudden collision, stretching and over-extending the internal structures like muscles and vertebrae. Whiplash may not be immediately noticeable, but as inflammation occurs during the hours and days after an accident, it becomes painful, with debilitating stiffness, headaches, and problems with memory and focus.
Injuries occur to other body parts in low-impact car accidents, as well as to the neck. When an airbag deploys in an accident, the forceful inflation of the bag can cause trauma to the face and upper body. Common injuries in low-speed car accidents include:
Seatbelt injuries to pregnant women can be concerning even in low-impact car accidents.
After any accident, it’s important to exchange contact information and call the police if there are injuries or damage to a vehicle that looks like exceeds $1,000 or more. Then, use a cell phone to take photos of the damaged vehicles and the accident scene, and add the contact information of the other driver and any eyewitnesses.
Always go to a hospital or other medical facility after a car accident and have a complete examination to check for injuries with delayed symptom onset.
Insurance companies commonly dispute car accident injury claims that occur in low-impact accidents. If a car shows only minor damage, they may argue that serious injuries are unlikely. It often takes a skilled attorney with access to medical experts to help prove an accident victim’s case. Call the experienced car accident lawyers at Weber & Rubano for legal guidance and the assertive representation you need after a low-impact car accident.