You might think that low-impact collisions are not something to be terribly concerned about. After all, a “low impact” collision can’t do that much damage, can it?
The reality is quite different and can lead to significant disputes with insurers and drivers who believe that because the speed of the impact was low, the likelihood of injury is as well. If you have been involved in a low-speed crash and believe you may be injured as a result, contact Cullotta Bravo Law for help. We understand these situations and have helped many clients recover medical and other costs related to their low-speed injuries.
Low-Speed Collision Myths
Passenger cars today are equipped with bumpers that must meet certain standards set by the federal government, both for the height of the bumper from the ground and its ability to prevent damage to the car when struck at a certain speed. When two cars strike each other at their bumpers – for example, where one car “rear-ends” another car – the bumpers should protect both cars at collision speeds of up to 5 mph.
Protecting the car, however, is not the same as protecting the occupant. Even slow-speed, low-impact collisions of this type – where one car rear-ends another – can cause whiplash or other types of injuries to the occupants of the car that’s been rear-ended. The challenge in these cases can be making a connection between the injuries suffered by the vehicle’s occupants, and the low-impact crash.
SUVs and pickup trucks aren’t subject to the same bumper requirements as are passenger cars, and if you’re in a car that’s struck by one of them, you may be more likely to be injured than if you’ve been hit by another car.
Protecting Your Rights After a Low-Impact Accident
The typical reaction after being involved in a low-impact collision is to get out of the car, look at the two vehicles involved, and continue on your way if there is little or no damage to either of them. And while that might seem to make sense, in cases where you’ve suffered an injury that isn’t immediately obvious, your chances of receiving compensation for that injury are significantly less than if you’d taken a few basic steps before driving away. In particular:
- Get the basic information. Copy down or take a picture of the vehicle that hit yours, including the license plate number. Do the same with the other driver’s license or get as much of the license information as you can. Try to get the driver’s insurance information as well. If you have difficulty getting the other driver to cooperate, call 911.
- See a doctor. This is particularly important if, for example, you wake up the following day and find that your back, neck, or any other part of your body is aching or stiff or that you have unusual problems moving around. Make sure the doctor knows that you were recently in a low-speed crash.
- Keep your medical records and any receipts for medical equipment such as braces or neck rolls that you may need to help you recover.
You Might Lose Compensation If You Don’t Protect Your Rights
If you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the cost of your medical treatment, including ER visits, doctors’ bills, surgical costs, hospital and ER fees, and rehab expenses. If the crash causes you to have longer-term injuries, you might be able to recover for your pain and suffering, as well as your loss of income if you’re forced to stay home from work while recovering.
This is why it’s important to pay close attention if you’ve been in a low-impact crash and to take the basic steps mentioned above to help protect your right to recover. And it’s also why contacting the experienced attorneys at Cullotta Bravo Law for help is important. Medical expenses alone canhttps://cullottalaw.com/about-us/ run into tens of thousands of dollars quite quickly, and your health insurance may only cover a fraction of that.
At Cullotta Bravo Law, we understand the challenges that injuries caused by low-impact collisions can present. But we also have experience with these types of claims and know how to present them to insurance companies and courts persuasively and effectively.
If you’ve been involved in a low-impact crash, don’t assume everything will be alright just because your car may not be damaged! Call Cullotta Bravo Law today at 630-898-7800, or reach out to us online, and we’ll get back to you to set up a free, confidential consultation. And if we represent you, there is never a fee unless we recover.