Recovering Compensation After a Low-Impact Crash
Not all car accidents involve high-speed, high-impact collisions. In fact, a lot of the accidents that occur in Florida are relatively low-impact, taking place at low speeds or in parking lots. Being involved in such an accident can be confusing, with the victims unsure of their legal rights. Even if you’ve heard that you don’t have a valid claim due to the low-impact nature of your accident, this isn’t necessarily true if you suffered an injury.
What is a Low-Impact Crash?
Low-impact collisions occur at low speeds, often under ten miles per hour and involve only minor (e.g. dents and scrapes), if any, property damage. Also often referred to as fender benders, low-impact collisions are common in parking lots and garages, and at congested four-way stops. Common causes of this kind of crash include:
- Distracted driving;
- Tailgating;
- Failing to yield the right-of-way; and
- Failing to check one’s blind spots.
These kinds of simple oversights can easily result in low-impact collisions that, although they may not result in a lot of physical damage, do cause painful injuries.
What are the Most Common Low-Impact Crash Injuries?
It’s a common misconception that low-speed, low-impact collisions can’t cause injuries. The reality is that these kinds of crashes can and do cause potentially serious injuries, such as whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the neck and head whip backwards and forwards in a rapid manner, damaging the ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the shoulders and neck. This can be extremely painful and can significantly limit mobility for months after an accident. Common symptoms include headaches and chronic neck and shoulder pain. Another injury that can result from low-impact crashes are traumatic brain injuries, which occur when a person sustains a sudden blow to the head. For instance, striking one’s head against the dashboard, steering wheel, or window during a crash can cause a concussion, resulting in headaches and other side effects. Of course, it’s always possible for a low-impact collision to worsen an already existing injury or condition.
What are My Recovery Options After a Low-Impact Car Accident?
If someone else’s negligence causes a low-impact collision, the victim could be entitled to compensation for his or her medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The insurance company will undoubtedly try to deny the claim, arguing that the nature of the collision wasn’t severe enough to cause an injury. Fortunately, accident victims can overcome these arguments by providing access to their medical records to help prove the cause and severity of their injury. Recovery may still be possible, even if the current injury was a worsening of an earlier condition, as long as the victim has evidence of both injuries.
Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers
If you were hurt in a low-impact car crash, don’t worry, you may still qualify for damages. For an evaluation of your own case, please call our experienced Florida car accident attorneys at Boone & Davis today.
Sources:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9868635/
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.737.html
