Why Does a Car Accident That Looks Minor Have Major Impacts?

Even when a car has minimal surface damage, it might still have endured a tremendous impact resulting in serious injuries to the driver and passengers. So a car crash can look like a minor fender-bender and still have tremendous life-changing consequences.

You can’t judge the severity of an accident by appearances. A horrific-looking fire might cause nothing more than damage to the interior of a vehicle, while a rear-end collision in a parking lot could result in injuries leading to permanent disability. Here, we examine factors that can turn seemingly minor collisions into serious consequences and how to recover compensation for them.

Why Do Trivial-Looking Collisions Often Cause Serious Injuries?

The forces that injure the human body in an accident are invisible, and the effects may be visible only to a limited extent. But effects don’t have to be visible to be significant.

The Human Body Can Be Severely Damaged Even When the Vehicle Is Not

A car crash triggers three actual collisions:

1. First, the car strikes another object, stopping very abruptly
2. Next, the bodies of those inside the vehicle continue to travel forward until they are stopped by the airbags, dashboard, seatbelt, or another object
3. After that, the soft internal organs in the bodies of the driver and passengers continue to move forward until they collide with surrounding bone or tissue

This cycle can repeat if the vehicle is hit again or pushed into another object.

The rapid deceleration creates tremendous force that is particularly destructive if it is combined with angular movement, such as if an accident victim’s head was turned at the time of the accident. Rotational forces can shear brain tissue against the skull, resulting in traumatic brain injuries. Seatbelts, airbags, and collapsing vehicle panels can crush internal organs.

The Body Absorbs Impact in Ways that Lead to Injuries

Some of the most common injuries from seemingly minor car accidents include:

• Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Joint injuries
• Injuries to the spine and back muscles
• Damage to internal organs

The components that make up the vehicle’s shell may rebound and return to their original shape after impact, making it seem like very little happened. But the human body is not quite as resilient.

Some Injuries Do Not Cause Immediate Symptoms

People can walk away from a car crash not realizing that they are suffering from severe injuries because, many times, the symptoms do not appear until later. Adrenaline released during the collision can mask pain for some time. In many cases, there is no immediate pain because the collision-related injuries develop slowly.

Blood vessels or other conduits in the body can rupture or tear, slowly releasing fluid that builds up and puts pressure on nerves, organ tissue, or brain tissue. This pressure, in turn, deprives vital parts of the body of the oxygen they need to function. It is not until these problems start to cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, pain, or trouble breathing that the impact of an accident starts to become evident. This can be hours or days after the collision.

What are the Unexpected Impacts of a Minor Car Accident?

When a car accident seems minor, most people focus on repairing their vehicle and the resulting expense and inconvenience. To improve fuel mileage, cars are increasingly made with lighter materials that cannot withstand a collision, so repair costs can be much higher than expected. But there are often other impacts, too.

Medical Expenses Can Add Up Quickly

After a car accident, you may need:

• Treatment in the emergency room or urgent care facility
• Diagnostic testing and imaging
• Follow-up care from the doctor
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy

These costs can mount quickly and may continue for longer than anticipated.

An Injury Can Affect Your Ability to Work

Injuries from a minor car accident may not keep you in the hospital for months, but they can still have a detrimental effect on your ability to earn money at your job. You might be limited in the duties you can perform or the hours you’re able to work without resting. Pain or other effects of your injuries can interrupt your concentration and reduce productivity.

The Accident May Have Lingering Emotional or Psychological Effects

Even at low speed, the impact of a collision is more traumatic than most people realize. This trauma could result in:

• Sleep problems
• Anxiety regarding driving and avoidance behaviors
• Emotional distress
• Limitations on where you’re willing to go in the future

All of these effects can significantly reduce quality of life.

FAQs About the Impact of “Minor” Car Accidents

Can a minor car accident still lead to a personal injury claim in California?

Yes, when a collision is caused by someone else’s negligent conduct and it causes injuries, property damage, or documented psychological damage, a personal injury attorney can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the losses suffered.

Do you need to seek medical care after a low-speed accident if you don’t notice injuries?

Yes, it is a good idea to get a complete medical exam after any accident so that doctors can look for signs of traumatic injuries that may not be immediately obvious.

Should you report a minor accident to the police in California?

It is a good idea to contact the police about the accident, and you must if there are any injuries. In addition, you need to file an SR-1 Accident Report with the California Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days if the accident caused injuries or $1,000 or more in property damage. Having police on the scene to make a report provides valuable evidence to help prove someone else’s actions caused the collision.

When You’ve Been Injured in a California Car Accident, Get the Advice and Assistance You Need from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian

Most people have lots of questions after a car accident, and that is a good thing. It is a rare experience and one that often leads to significant consequences, so you want to handle it correctly. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, we can help.

At the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian, we can answer your questions, work to secure evidence to prove causation, and manage questions from insurance company investigators on your behalf. For a free consultation and case evaluation, contact us online or call us at 714-400-2000.