When people hear about car crashes, they often imagine fast collisions and totaled vehicles. But not all accidents happen at high speeds. A low-impact car accident happens when two vehicles collide with less force, usually at low speed, often in parking lots, at stop signs, or in slow-moving traffic.
Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers understands that even a low-impact car crash can cause real pain and financial stress. Our team helps car accident victims across Oklahoma get the help they need after minor car accidents, whether they suffer soft tissue injuries, whiplash, or emotional distress.
Just because a crash seems minor doesn’t mean your recovery will be easy. We’re here to protect your rights and help you move forward.
Defining a Low-Impact Car Accident
Not all collisions involve severe damage. Some car accidents occur at low speeds, but they can still leave people injured and shaken. Here’s what typically defines a low-impact car crash:
Speed and Force Involved
A low-impact car accident usually happens at speeds of 10 to 15 miles per hour. These crashes often occur in traffic jams, parking lots, or during slow turns. Though the impact of a car accident may not crumple metal or shatter glass, the body still absorbs force.
This force, while small, can still lead to soft tissue injuries, especially to the neck, back, and shoulders.
Common Scenarios
Typical low-speed crashes include fender benders at red lights, slow-moving rear-end accidents, or bumping another car while turning. Even though the car accident may not cause visible damage, car accident victims can still experience pain, soreness, or whiplash symptoms in the days following the crash.
These low-impact collisions still qualify for a personal injury claim if injuries exist.
Common Injuries in Low-Impact Car Accidents
Just because the damage looks minor doesn’t mean your body wasn’t affected. These are some of the car accident injuries people often report after a low-impact car accident.
Whiplash and Neck Strain
A whiplash injury happens when the head is suddenly thrown forward and backward, often during a rear-end crash. This jerking motion strains muscles and ligaments in the neck. Even if the crash was slow, a whiplash injury occurs frequently in low-speed crashes and can cause neck injuries that require rest, ice, and sometimes physical therapy.
Back Injuries
Low-impact crashes can still strain or twist the back, especially the lower spine. People may suffer muscle sprains, herniated discs, or soft tissue damage in the lumbar area. These injuries can limit movement and cause severe pain, even if the vehicle accident looks minor from the outside.
Concussions or Headaches
In a low-speed crash, your head may hit the seat, steering wheel, or window, even slightly. This can lead to headaches or even a mild traumatic brain injury. Closed head injuries, while not visible, can cause memory loss, nausea, and brain fog. Always seek medical attention if symptoms show up.
Anxiety or Emotional Stress
Even when there’s no serious physical injury, people often report anxiety, nightmares, or fear after a low-impact collision. These emotional symptoms are real and deserve attention. Emotional distress can affect your sleep, work, and driving confidence after the crash.
Can You Be Injured in a Low-Impact Accident?
Yes, you absolutely can. Even though the crash happens at a low speed, your body can still absorb force that leads to real pain or lingering injuries. The sudden jolt can stretch or tear muscles, cause inflammation in joints, or trigger neck and back pain. These symptoms often don’t show up right away, which is why it’s best to seek medical attention immediately after the crash, even if you feel fine at first.
The adrenaline after a car accident can mask pain, and without a proper exam, you could miss signs of more serious injuries. Insurance companies often try to downplay injuries from minor car accidents, but the truth is that many soft tissue injuries and even head injuries can happen at low speeds.
Challenges in Proving Injuries from Low-Impact Accidents
While these accidents are real and painful, proving them to insurance companies can be tricky. That’s why documentation and legal help matter.
Insurance Company Skepticism
Many insurance companies are quick to question injury claims from low-impact collisions. They may argue that because the damage to the car was minor, your injuries must be as well. This assumption isn’t always true, but it’s commonly used to reduce or deny a personal injury claim.
That’s why working with a skilled car accident attorney is so important.
Lack of Visible Vehicle Damage
In some low-speed accidents, the cars may look completely fine on the outside. But that doesn’t mean your body wasn’t affected. The lack of dents or broken parts gives insurance companies room to argue.
However, your body can suffer from internal strain and soft tissue injuries without showing signs on the car. That’s why documenting everything is key.
Importance of Medical Records
After a low-impact car crash, always see a medical professional. Your doctor’s records show the connection between the accident and the injuries sustained. These detailed medical records become important evidence if the insurance company tries to deny your claim later.
Staying consistent with your care also strengthens your case.
What to Do After a Low-Impact Car Accident
Even in a minor car accident, taking the right steps early can protect your health and your rights.
Call the Police and Document the Scene
Always call the police, even if the crash seems small. A police report gives your car accident lawyer proof of when, where, and how the crash happened. It also documents your version of events, which can help if the other driver denies fault later.
Take Photos and Collect Witness Information
Use your phone to take pictures of the car accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Even if it’s a low-impact car accident, those images help show what happened. If anyone saw the crash, ask for their name and contact info if you need a statement.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Always seek medical attention, even if you feel okay. Prompt medical treatment helps catch soft tissue injuries, whiplash, or even a traumatic brain injury. Seeing a medical professional right away also helps link your injuries to the crash, strengthening your personal injury claim.
Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced car accident attorney knows how to handle cases where the injuries don’t look obvious but still cause real harm. A lawyer can deal with the insurance companies, help you get treatment, and fight for fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and emotional strain.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Even in low-impact collisions, you may still be owed money for the losses and stress caused by the crash. Here’s what a claim may include:
Medical Expenses
You can seek money to cover doctor visits, medical treatment, scans, physical therapy, and any medications needed for your car accident injuries. If you need ongoing care, that can also be included. Always keep receipts and records from your healthcare providers.
Lost Wages
If the crash caused pain or injury that kept you from working, you may be able to claim lost wages. This includes missed paychecks, time off for appointments, or reduced work hours due to injury. Pay stubs and doctor notes help support this part of the claim.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering includes physical pain, stress, and emotional harm you’ve gone through. This includes emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in daily life, and mental health challenges after the car accident. These non-economic damages are harder to measure but still matter in every case.
FAQs
1. Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Low-Speed Collision?
Yes. Even in low-speed collisions, if you were hurt due to someone else’s actions, a personal injury attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. These types of crashes often occur in stop-and-go traffic or rear-end collisions and can still cause shoulder injuries, arm pain, and other real issues.
2. How Serious Can Injuries Be in a Low-Impact Car Accident Case?
While many people think these crashes only cause minor injuries, the truth is that they can also lead to more severe injuries involving the cervical spine, back, or joints. Some personal injury cases reveal that victims suffered other soft tissue injuries that required months of proper treatment and physical therapy.
3. Will My Medical History Affect My Insurance Claims?
Your medical history can come up during insurance claims, especially if the insurer tries to say your current pain existed before the car accident case. A skilled personal injury attorney will use your doctor’s notes to show how the accident made things worse, even if a condition was already there.
4. How Important Is Prompt Medical Attention After a Minor Accident?
Getting prompt medical attention is one of the most vital steps after any crash, even if you think it’s minor. It helps connect your injuries, such as arm pain, neck strain, or shoulder injuries, to the crash itself. Without early care, it’s harder to prove the need for receiving fair compensation later on.
5. Can I Learn More About These Injuries Online Before Calling a Lawyer?
Absolutely. Trusted car accident blog posts can explain how severe injury can occur even when there’s little damage to the car. Still, it’s always best to speak with a personal injury attorney who can review your specific case, explain your rights, and guide you toward full recovery and fair compensation.
Contact Our Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in a low-impact car accident, don’t let the insurance company downplay your pain. At Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that even small crashes can lead to real problems. Our team is ready to help you file a strong personal injury claim and fight for what you deserve.
We offer a free case consultation, so there’s no risk in reaching out and asking questions. You’ll speak directly with a car accident attorney who understands these types of cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win for you. Let us help you take the next step toward healing and fair compensation.