Can Low-Speed Car Accidents Cause Serious Injuries?

February 8, 2022

Low-speed car accidents can still cause serious injuries. Some people might think only serious injuries are caused by violent collisions. Although that does happen, low-speed accidents can still injure drivers and passengers. A slow-speed collision may lead to less property damage, but soft tissue damage and other injuries are a serious concern.

An insurance company or the at-fault driver may try to convince you that your injury is not serious after a minor accident. However, do not let them convince you into believing you should not compensated for a serious injury just because the accident was seemingly minor. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you in this situation. Having a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer on your side is important if you have a serious injury from a car accident.

What Determines the Severity of an Injury?

Speed is not the only factor that determines whether a car accident will cause a serious injury. Injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• Type of vehicles involved.
• Speed gap between the two vehicles.
• Weight of the vehicles and their sizes.
• Impact site location.
• Force direction.
• Head restraint position.
• Seat deterioration.
• Seat back angle.

The average automobile weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and can produce an impact force of approximately 3.7 tons at 10 miles per hour. A 3,000-pound vehicle driving at the same speed can double the impact force to 5.6 tons. Even at a slow speed, this force can cause serious injuries.

Even if a seat belt is worn, you can still be injured. You could hit your head on the headrest of your seat, or you could hit your head on the side of the vehicle.

What Injuries Are Common in Low-Speed Car Accidents?

There are several injuries that are seen in low-speed car accidents, including.

• Broken or fractured bones.
• Nerve damage.
• Whiplash and other neck injuries.
• Lacerations and abrasions.
• Soft tissue damage.
• Chest injuries, like bruises and broken or cracked ribs from the seat belt or from hitting the steering wheel.
• Knee injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Brain injuries.
• Mental injuries.

A lot of these injuries can heal in weeks or months, assuming you receive immediate and proper treatment. However, some of these injuries can cause life-long problems. Nerve damage can take years to heal. Sometimes, herniated discs in the spine require surgery to repair. The symptoms from a serious brain injury can last for months, years, or even a lifetime.

Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Can Help You After Any Type of Collision

Being seriously injured in a car accident can be overwhelming, but a lawyer might be able to help. Our Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. understand that a low-speed accident can cause catastrophic injuries. Our legal team can protect your rights. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.