Why “Minor” Crashes Can Still Cause Major Injuries

Many people assume that if a car accident causes only slight vehicle damage, the victims must also be fine. Insurance companies often rely on this assumption to downplay claims. However, the reality is very different. Even a low-speed collision that appears harmless can cause injuries that are painful, disruptive, and sometimes long-lasting. Some of the most common injuries linked to minor accidents include:

• Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries in low-impact crashes. The sudden back-and-forth motion of the head and neck can strain muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues. This often leads to stiffness, headaches, reduced range of motion, and ongoing discomfort.
• Concussions and other head injuries. A vehicle doesn’t need major damage for a concussion to occur. Rapid deceleration can cause the brain to bounce against the inside of the skull, leading to symptoms like dizziness, confusion, memory issues, and sensitivity to light. These injuries can develop even without a direct head strike.
• Back and spine injuries. Low-speed collisions can still generate enough force to injure the spine. Herniated discs, muscle strains, and nerve compression are common results of the spine being twisted, jolted, or compressed during impact. Many back injuries worsen over time and may not appear until days or weeks after the crash.

Here are some reasons why low-speed or low-impact collisions can still cause major physical harm:

• The human body absorbs the force. Modern vehicles are designed to withstand minor impacts with little exterior damage. This means less energy gets absorbed by the car and more is transferred directly to the people inside. Even a collision at 10 at 15 mph can jolt the spine, neck, and soft tissues with surprising intensity. The sudden stop forces the body to move faster than muscles and ligaments can respond, causing trauma.
• Whiplash occurs at low speeds. Whiplash is one of the most misunderstood car accident injuries. Studies show it can occur in crashes as slow as 5 to 7 mph. During rear-end collisions:
  • The torso is pushed forward by the seat.
  • The head lags behind.
  • Muscles, ligaments, and discs take the impact.

This can lead to headaches, loss of mobility, nerve pain, and long-term discomfort, even when the vehicles show little damage.

• Adrenaline masks pain at the scene. After a crash, adrenaline surges to protect your body. This stress response numbs pain, increases alertness, and hides symptoms that appear hours or days later. Many victims feel fine at the scene, only to wake up the next day with stiffness, headaches, or sharp pain. This delayed onset can be used by insurers to question the injuries, which is why medical care should never be delayed.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

A seemingly minor fender bender can still cause significant physical and emotional injuries for all involved.

Get compensation for all your injuries with help from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We can help gather evidence and review the facts. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (281) 347-3247.

Source:

impactmedicalgroup.com/2023/12/20/can-minor-car-accidents-still-cause-trauma/