Can Low-Impact Accidents Cause Injuries?

Forces Involved in a Car Accident

It is a given that car accidents can cause major and even fatal injuries to the parties involved. In 2015, over 245,ooo persons were injured as a result of  motor vehicle accidents on Texas roadways. Few people will dispute the great forces involved in a high-speed automobile collision, but these forces also apply in low-speed impacts. However, people that have been in minor car accidents often don’t recognize the lasting impact it may have. Medical and scientific studies have concluded that even minor impacts can cause significant pain and injury. Injuries that result from minor car accidents, or “fender benders” can include: whiplash, spinal injuries, and herniated disks just to name a few.

Injuries From a Low-Impact Crash

Documented tests demonstrate that low-impact accidents can affect the soft tissues in a person’s neck or back, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Elderly persons or those in poor physical condition who may have preexisting injuries in these areas are more susceptible to these types of injuries from impacts even at low speeds. A skilled Auto Accident  attorney should be able to convince a jury or insurer if these circumstances exist in your case. Whiplash is a common injury people sustain following an automobile accident. Whiplash occurs when the muscles in a person’s neck are extended beyond their normal range of motion. Once the neck has been “over-extended” it can cause the muscles to stretch and tear. Symptoms of whiplash are not usually apparent immediately following an accident and may be hard to detect. That is why it is important to seek medical attention following an accident to ensure that there has not been any significant and lasting bodily injury, even if you feel “okay” immediately following the accident.

Symptoms from an automobile accident are not always apparent immediately following impact. Symptoms will typically appear within 24 hours of impact but can take up to several weeks to emerge. Common symptoms to look out for include: dizziness, neck pain, blurred vision, fatigue, and headaches among others. Because symptoms don’t always manifest right away, it is important to be listen to your body and be aware that even minor pain can mean lasting injuries. If you have been involved in a car accident, and begin to see signs as described above, first seek medical attention then talk to a personal injury lawyer to make sure you are fully compensated for all medical bills, any loss of wages and any future consideration regarding your health.