Motor vehicle accidents are one of the top causes of unintentional injuries in Nevada. The forces exerted upon motor vehicle occupants in a car accident can cause significant injuries even in a low-speed collision. It is important not to assume that just because a car accident occurs at a low speed, it is automatically considered “minor.” You may still suffer serious injuries and be entitled to financial compensation, especially if you choose representation from an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer.
Low-Speed Collisions Can Cause Major Injuries
When a motor vehicle strikes another car or a fixed object, the forward motion of its occupants is abruptly brought to a halt. This whipping or jerking motion can place great stress on the occupant’s body. While it is true that higher-speed collisions exert greater crash forces and tend to cause more significant injuries, low-speed crashes still have the potential to cause harm. Common injuries in low-speed collisions include:
- Bone fractures
- Whiplash and other soft-tissue damage
- Concussions
- Facial and dental injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Slipped or herniated disks
- Pinched or compressed nerves
- Joint damage
- Cuts or lacerations
- Airbag or seat belt injuries
In addition to causing new injuries, a low-speed collision can also worsen pre-existing conditions. If an occupant already struggled with back problems, for example, the force of the impact could aggravate the injury and result in worsened pain or a slipped disk.
What to Do After a Low-Speed Collision
You should treat a low-speed collision as you would any other type of car accident in Nevada. Start by checking yourself and others for injuries. Keep in mind that signs of an injury may appear hours or even days later. Whiplash symptoms, for example, are often delayed and appear only as inflammation in the neck worsens. Go to the nearest hospital for a professional checkup. Prompt medical care is important to show an insurance company that your injuries are related to the car accident. If the crash was not serious enough to bring police officers to the scene, it will be up to you to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles on your own. You must do so within 10 days of the crash. Gather evidence and information related to your car accident. This includes taking pictures of the crash scene and damage to both vehicles. Exchange information with the other driver and write down the names and phone numbers of eyewitnesses or vehicle passengers. This evidence can help you support your car insurance claim later.
Legal Complications With Low-Speed Car Accident Claims
Unfortunately, car insurance companies can make it difficult to receive fair financial compensation for a low-speed crash. Insurance companies often dispute these injury claims based on the unfair assumption that a crash that occurs at a lower speed cannot cause major injuries. You may need to hire a Las Vegas car accident attorney to help you prove your claim. An attorney can help prove the impact of a low-speed collision using your medical records, crash diagrams and expert testimony. A lawyer can show an insurer that although the car accident did not occur at a high speed, you still suffered significant injuries that will impact you for the foreseeable future. If necessary, your attorney can take your case to trial to demand justice and fair compensation. For more information about how to handle an insurance claim after a low-speed collision in Nevada, contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a free consultation.