
Many assume low-speed car crashes aren’t a big deal, expecting nothing more than a minor fender bender with no injuries. But the truth is, even low-speed collisions can result in painful and lasting injuries.
Whether you’re driving through the streets of Miami or cruising on a quiet suburban road, the impact of a low-speed crash can lead to serious consequences for your health and finances.
If you’ve been involved in a low-speed crash, knowing your rights and legal options is essential. A Miami car accident lawyer can evaluate your case and help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries in Low-Speed Crashes
It’s a common misconception that low-speed crashes can’t cause serious injuries. In reality, even impacts at speeds as low as 5 to 10 mph can cause painful and potentially long-lasting injuries:
- Whiplash: This is one of the most common injuries in low-speed rear-end collisions. The sudden jerking motion of the head and neck in a collision can cause strain and damage to the soft tissues there, leading to pronounced pain, stiffness, and significantly reduced range of motion.
- Broken Wrists: Many people instinctively brace themselves against the dashboard or steering wheel during a collision, which can lead to wrist fractures, even in low-speed impacts.
- Airbag Injuries: While airbags save lives, they deploy with explosive force. In a low-speed crash, this can cause facial abrasions, severe contusions, or even more serious injuries like broken noses, dental damage, or fractured ribs.
- Knee Injuries: The impact of a minor crash can cause your knees to hit the dashboard, potentially resulting in painful bruising, ligament damage that may require surgery to fix, or fractures.
- Back Injuries: Fender bender collisions can cause herniated discs or exacerbate existing back problems, especially in rear-end or side-impact crashes.
- Concussions: The force of a low-impact crash can cause your brain to impact the inside of your skull, potentially leading to a mild traumatic brain injury, even without direct head impact against the inside of the vehicle.
Despite the low speeds, these injuries can be debilitating, affecting your ability to work and perform daily activities without pain. Seeking medical attention and legal advice can help you fully recover and receive appropriate compensation.
Why You Should Seek Compensation for Injuries in a Minor Accident
If you’re injured in a minor accident, you might think your health insurance will cover you, so why bother with a personal injury claim? However, there are several reasons to consider seeking a settlement for your damages:
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Your health insurance likely has deductibles and co-pays, which you must pay before it steps in to pay for expenses. These out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly, especially if you require ongoing treatment or physical therapy.
- Long-Term Effects: Some injuries, like whiplash or mild TBIs, can have long-lasting effects that aren’t immediately apparent. You may need ongoing medical care or experience chronic pain that affects your quality of life.
- Insurance Gaps: In Florida, personal injury protection (PIP) covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses after a collision, within policy limits. However, if you use up your PIP benefits, you’ll have to pay any remaining medical costs out of pocket, which could lead to medical debt.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working or force you to work reduced hours during recovery, you may lose several days, weeks, or months of income. PIP insurance only covers 60% of lost wages up to policy limits.
- Pain and Suffering: While PIP doesn’t cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, you may be able to pursue these damages through a personal injury claim if your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold.
- Future Expenses: Your injuries may require future medical treatment or impact your earning capacity. A personal injury claim can help ensure these future costs are covered.
How a Qualified Attorney Can Help With Your Claim
After a minor accident, you may not fully understand your rights or the possibility of compensation. An experienced Florida auto accident attorney can help clarify your rights and guide you toward a fair settlement. At Aigen Injury Law, we can:
- File a PIP Claim: We can help you file your PIP claim to secure full coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and other eligible benefits, ensuring support immediately after the accident.
- Assess Damages: Our team can evaluate immediate and potential long-term damages to build a claim that reflects the true impact of the accident.
- File With the Liable Party: If PIP won’t cover all your damages and another party is at fault, we can handle all communications with their insurer, building a solid case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiate Settlements: We’ll work to ensure you get a fair settlement, pushing back against any lowball offers that undervalue your losses from a so-called “minor” accident. If necessary, we’re prepared to take your claim to court and present your case before a judge and jury to secure a favorable outcome.
Get the Full Damages You’re Owed After a Low-Speed Crash
Don’t underestimate the impact of a low-speed crash on your health and finances. At Aigen Injury Law, our experienced Miami car accident lawyers can help you fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We work tirelessly to ensure all accident-related expenses are covered, from medical bills to lost wages and future needs. Contact us today for a free case review, and let us help you get fair compensation for your injuries.