How Serious Injuries Can Result from “Not-so-serious” Crashes
Recovering from serious car accident injuries is a painful and challenging process. But if those injuries were a result of a low-speed crash, your physical recovery may not be the only challenge you face. Although injuries from a low-speed car accident can be just as serious as those sustained in a high-speed crash, proving the extent of your injuries - and that the accident caused those injuries can pose an even bigger challenge.
Were you injured in a low-speed car crash? Contact The Case Handler. Our team of experienced NYC car accident lawyers offers aggressive legal representation to injured victims across the state of New York. To ensure you get the maximum recovery possible, contact The Case Handler online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review.
Low-Speed Crash Injuries are Surprisingly Common
A low-speed car accident is typically any accident involving two or more vehicles traveling 25 miles per hour or less. However, it is not considered a low-speed collision when there is a pedestrian or bicyclist involved. The majority of low-speed car accidents involve rear-end collisions and are often referred to as “fender benders.”
While most believe that for a car accident to cause serious injuries or even death, the collision must have occurred at a high rate of speed, the reality is that a serious, life-altering injury can also be a result of a low-speed crash.
Common Injuries Sustained in Low-Speed Collisions
Even though the vehicles are traveling at a low speed, the force of the impact can cause victims to suffer serious, life-changing injuries. Common low-speed injuries include the following:
Whiplash
In a low-speed accident, a person’s neck can forcefully be jolted back and forth, similar to the cracking of a whip. These sudden movements can cause the neck to compress or extend too quickly, which can cause strains to the neck and spine and damage to the muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
Whiplash injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the sharpness and strength of the back-and-forth movement. In more severe cases, whiplash can break the vertebrae in the neck, damaging the spinal cord and its network of nerves.
Herniated Disc
While herniated discs can occur in the neck, the majority occur in the lower and middle back. Herniated discs can be serious though drivers and passengers can suffer this type of injury in relatively minor accidents. Some herniated discs can be treated using non surgical methods, such as physical therapy, massage, and anti-inflammatory medication, but many will require surgery.
Spinal Cord Injury
Even at low speeds, a car accident can force an occupant to bend or twist unnaturally, which can cause damage to the spinal cord or the tissue and bones surrounding the spinal cord. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to debilitating injuries, incluidng numbness, weakness, difficulty breathing or walking and in severe cases, paralysis.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A forceful jolt or blow to the head or body can shift or rotate the brain inside the skull causing tearing and/or bruising of the brain tissue and blood vessels. This type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known as a “closed brain injury.”
A minor TBI, referred to as a “concussion,” can heal over time and typically don’t cause any permanent damage. More serious brain injuries can lead to permanent, life-long effects, such as slurred speech, loss of vision, and paralysis. In severe cases, traumatic brain injury can result in coma and even death.
Why Low-Speed Accident Injury Claims Can Be Challenging
While it is a common misconception, most people assume that an accident that took place at a low speed and resulted in minimal damage to the vehicles involved would not cause a serious injury.
Insurance companies will strongly question any claim resulting from a low-speed crash, assuming the claimant is either embellishing the extent of the injury or claiming an injury caused by a pre-existing condition.
Should your case go to trial, it is important to be aware that many judges and jurors might also question the validity of your claim. That is why it is critical for your attorney to gather and present compelling evidence that disproves the insurance company’s case and establishes the basis of your claim.
Speak with a Leading Car Accident Lawyer in NYC for FREE
If you suffered serious injuries in a car crash, you have the right to seek damages from the at-fault party. However, if the accident happened at a low speed, securing a settlement or award can be complicated without the help of a skilled personal injury attorney.
At The Case Handler, our legal team understands the challenges associated with low-speed accident injury cases. That is why we will thoroughly investigate your accident and work with our team of experts to not only show the severity of your injuries but also show the accident caused those injuries. To ensure you receive maximum recovery after a car accident, work with an experienced car accident lawyer in NYC. Contact our office today to arrange a free consultation.
