It is often easy to recognize injuries after a serious car accident, such as a high-speed collision. It is not always as easy to notice signs of an injury after a low-speed or minor crash. However, that does not mean these accidents don’t cause injuries. A low-speed collision can still result in painful, debilitating and even permanent injuries.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury that impacts the soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can occur if the impact of a motor vehicle collision – such as a rear-end collision – whips or jerks a victim’s head and neck rapidly backward and forward. This motion can tear, stretch or injure the soft tissues of the neck.
A whiplash injury can cause symptoms such as pain in the neck or back, trouble moving the head or neck, a tingling sensation in the arms, a headache that radiates from the base of the skull, and (in some cases) dizziness or blurred vision. Whiplash is often treated with medications for pain relief and inflammation, as well as physical therapy or rehabilitation.
Lumbar Spine Injuries
Toward the bottom of the spinal cord is the lumbar spine, positioned above the sacral spine and below the thoracic spine. The lumbar spine makes up the lower back. The force of a low-speed car accident can be enough to injure the five lumbar vertebrae, such as causing a slipped, ruptured or herniated spinal disk.
Vertebral fractures in the lumbar spine may also occur due to the force of a low-speed impact. Lumbar spine injuries can be painful and result in chronic pain and nerve damage. In severe cases, these injuries can cause permanent paralysis, or a loss of function and feeling in the affected area.
Concussions and Brain Injuries
A car accident victim could hit his or her head on an object in a low-speed crash. It does not take a large amount of force to propel the head and skull into objects, such as the steering column or window.
A bump or blow to the head could cause a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion or a more serious injury. Brain injuries can inflict catastrophic or permanent damage, including cognitive disabilities and motor function disorders. They can also cause mood swings and personality changes.
Seat Belt Injuries
The force of the body being thrown against the seat belt in an automobile accident, even at a low speed, can be enough to inflict injuries to places where the seat belt touches; namely, the shoulder, chest and hips. This is known as “seat belt syndrome.”
Seat belt syndrome can involve bruising, contusions, and soft-tissue damage as well as chest injuries, such as rib fractures. If the seat belt was not in the proper position at the time of the crash, the victim could also sustain internal injuries or organ damage.
What to Do After a Low-Speed Accident
If you get involved in a low-speed collision, stay calm and check yourself for injuries. Delayed and hidden injuries are common in minor collisions. Your adrenaline from the crash may mask pain. It is vital to seek medical attention after any motor vehicle accident, even if the collision appears minor.
While you are still at the scene, contact law enforcement by calling 911. If the accident is minor, the police may not come to the scene. In this case, you are responsible for reporting the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles yourself within 10 days. Keep a copy of the accident report for your own records.
When you are ready to file an insurance claim, it can benefit you to contact a Las Vegas car accident attorney for a free consultation. While you may not need to hire a lawyer for a minor low-speed collision, doing so could help if you suffered serious injuries in the crash or a car insurance company is refusing to offer fair financial compensation for your damages.