What Are Low-Impact Accidents?
Low-impact accidents, or fender-benders, are common on South Carolina roads and highways. They occur at low speeds and cause minor damage to the vehicles involved. A rear-end collision in slow-moving traffic is an example of a low-impact collision. South Carolina personal injury lawyers add that low-impact accidents can also lead to bodily injury.
However, many people assume that the injuries they sustain in a low-impact crash are not severe. It’s crucial to know that even minor accidents can lead to severe injuries, such as soft tissue damage, whiplash, and concussions. Unfortunately, the injuries may not be apparent immediately and can cause complications. Don’t overlook the risks if you’ve been in such an accident.
What Are the Common Causes of Low-Impact Car Crashes?
Car accident attorneys in Greenville say low-impact collisions can happen under various circumstances, including:
- Accidents in school zones
- When merging or changing lanes in stop-and-go traffic
- Collisions in parking lots
- Collisions in residential neighborhoods
- Accidents at pedestrian zones, including crosswalks
- Accidents at 4-way stops
- Distracted or impaired driving
While you may not have any physical signs of injuries after a low-impact accident, it’s crucial to get a proper medical diagnosis. Unchecked or untreated internal injuries may result in permanent pain or limitations.
Insurance companies deny or discount the value of injuries sustained in low-impact accidents. So, seek the help of aggressive car accident attorneys in Greenville to help you present a solid case and demand the compensation you deserve.
Why Do Low-Impact Accidents Cause Severe Injuries?
Severe injuries can happen at low speeds because your body absorbs sudden forces or impacts that can strain muscles, joints, and ligaments. Just like a car might have hidden frame damage after a collision, your body can sustain injuries that aren’t immediately visible.
Some factors that make minor-impact collisions dangerous are:
- Vehicle safety features: While modern cars can absorb impact to reduce damage to their frame, they can transmit more force to the occupants.
- Body vulnerabilities: The human body is unable to handle sudden jolts or impacts, even at low speeds.
- The angle of the crash: Rear-end and side collisions can forcefully push the body into unnatural movements, putting it at risk of injury.
What Injuries Result from Low-Impact Collisions?
Greenville car accident lawyers often encounter plaintiffs with the following types of minor-impact injuries:
- Whiplash: It is one of the most common injuries resulting from low-impact accidents. It occurs when the neck is rapidly forced to move back and forth, straining the muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The injury presents as neck pain, headaches, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
- Back injuries: The lower back is especially susceptible to injuries in low-impact collisions. You could suffer spinal misalignments, herniated discs, or muscle injuries, leading to mobility issues and chronic pain.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, tears, and strains are common soft tissue injuries resulting from low-impact collisions. They can affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, causing swelling, pain, and limited mobility.
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries: A sudden impact, even at low speeds, can cause the brain to collide with the skull, causing a concussion or a traumatic brain injury. Some symptoms may include confusion, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and memory issues.
- Emotional trauma: The psychological impact of a low-impact accident can be as substantial as the physical injuries. You may experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Greenville car accident lawyers add that pre-existing conditions are crucial in low-impact accidents. Even if a crash doesn’t seem severe, it can still create significant pain and further complicate a pre-existing injury. You can seek damages for these injuries if you prove you sustained them in a low-impact accident.
What Are Some Challenges in Proving Injuries from Low-Impact Accidents?
It’s common for insurance companies to downplay the severity of injuries sustained in low-impact accidents. Adjusters often assume that minimal property damage translates to minor or no injuries, which couldn’t be further from the truth. This presumption can create significant challenges for accident victims seeking compensation, including:
- Denial of claims if you don’t have any visible injuries at the accident scene
- Claims that you are exaggerating or fabricating the symptoms
- Difficulty proving causation between the accident and delayed symptoms
Car accident attorneys in Greenville say you can avoid these challenges by seeking immediate medical attention after the accident, even if the symptoms are minor. It’s also advisable to journal your recovery process, documenting all the symptoms, how they affect your daily life, and your appointments with your healthcare provider.
With this information, your lawyers can help you file a solid compensation claim and prove the validity of the injuries sustained. They can also assess the accident scene and vehicle damage to determine liability and establish negligence, which is crucial in personal injury cases. Through their negotiation skills, they can fight for a fair compensation amount.
Understanding Injuries Caused by Low-Impact Accidents with the Help of An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Low-impact accidents can appear harmless at first glance, especially if you don’t suffer any visible injuries. You should not underestimate the seriousness of the impact and your right to seek compensation. Skilled personal injury lawyers in South Carolina can work with you to help you navigate the nuances of insurance claims.
The Hammack Law Firm hosts dedicated car accident lawyers who can guide you in detail concerning injuries sustained in low-impact accidents. We can answer your questions regarding the complexities of pursuing compensation from the respective insurance company. Don’t suffer in silence for injuries sustained due to the negligence of another person, no matter how minor you think the damages are. Call us at 864-766-7108 for a FREE consultation.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
