Even Minor Fender Benders Can Be Dangerous
Minor fender benders occur all the time on Colorado Springs roads. These slow speed car accidents may seem like no big deal at the time, but they can cause serious injuries and leave you dealing with pain, medical bills, and a frustrating insurance claims process. Many of these injuries go unnoticed and undiagnosed at first, often complicating recovery down the road. When soft tissue injuries are not treated quickly, they can lead to long-term pain and chronic disability. Unfortunately, insurance companies are reluctant to pay slow speed accident victims what they deserve and will often use deceptive tactics to reduce or deny their payouts.
Low Speed Accidents Can Cause Long Term Injuries
Even though you may look uninjured after a minor collision, appearances can be deceiving. Research has shown that impacts at just 2.5 mph are sometimes enough to cause injury to the neck and spine, also known as the whiplash effect. Accidents that occur at 10 to 15 mph can impart energy to the neck that is as much as 4 to 6 times the threshold for injury. Even accidents that result in little to no visible vehicle damage can cause real, significant injury to the people inside. Ligament damage can occur at speeds just above 7.5 mph, particularly when the headrest is not properly positioned or when the head is turned sideways at the moment of impact. This kind of injury can result in pain that lasts for months.
The most common injury after a low speed auto accident is whiplash, a neck sprain or strain that often results in stiffness, decreased mobility, and pain in the neck and head. It is caused by the abrupt backward and forward jerking motion that occurs during a collision. Whiplash symptoms can take days to fully appear, which is one of the reasons insurance companies use to try to cast doubt on these claims. Other injuries that can occur in a low speed accident include:
- Back strains or sprains
- Herniated discs
- Shoulder injuries
- Fractures
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
- Rib and chest bruises and sprains
Why Insurance Companies Fight Low Speed Accident Claims
Insurance companies have a well-documented playbook when it comes to low speed accident claims. Their adjusters are trained to point to the minimal vehicle damage and argue that it is physically impossible for a serious injury to have occurred. They may question the timing of when symptoms appeared, suggest that your injuries were pre-existing, or simply stall the claims process hoping you will give up or accept a lowball settlement out of frustration.
What they are counting on is that you do not have an experienced attorney reviewing their tactics. The reality is that vehicle damage and human injury do not always correlate. Modern bumpers are designed to absorb impact and spring back with minimal visible damage, even at speeds high enough to cause significant soft tissue injury to the occupants inside. Courts and juries have consistently recognized this disconnect, which is why having strong medical documentation and legal representation matters so much in these cases.
What To Do After A Minor Car Accident
The steps you take in the hours and days after a fender bender can make or break your ability to recover fair compensation. Here is what we recommend:
- See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel okay immediately after the crash. Delayed symptoms are extremely common in soft tissue injuries and getting evaluated promptly creates a documented medical baseline that is critical to your claim.
- Do not miss any treatment appointments, therapy sessions, or follow-up visits. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies exactly the ammunition they need to argue your injuries were not serious or that something else caused them.
- Fill all prescriptions and follow your doctor’s recommendations precisely.
- Keep a daily journal of your symptoms and how they are affecting your life, including sleep, work, and daily activities. This kind of documentation helps demonstrate the real impact of your injuries on your quality of life.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney. Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim.
- Preserve all evidence from the scene, including photos of both vehicles, the road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Understanding what pain and suffering compensation covers and what damages you may be entitled to recover are important steps as you navigate the claims process. You should also be aware of the statute of limitations for car accident claims in Colorado so you do not miss your window to take legal action.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been injured in a fender bender or any other type of car accident, you need a law firm on your side that is ready and willing to fight for you. At Rector Stuzynski Law Firm, our Colorado Springs car accident lawyers have the experience and resources to build a strong case designed to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. Do not let the insurance company convince you that your injuries are not worth fighting for. Call us today at (719) 578-1106 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and ready to help.
