Sometimes when people are involved in low impact car accidents, they believe they are uninjured because their injuries are not visible or they don’t immediately feel pain. However, even if your vehicle sustains little or no damage and you don’t have any apparent injuries, the same post-accident protocol should be followed. Following proper accident protocol will ensure that you are prepared to file any necessary insurance claims and lawsuits if necessary.
- First, remove yourself from immediate danger and call 911.
- Remain calm and don’t say anything at the scene of the accident that could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt and later used against you. Identify the other drivers involved in the collision and get their contact information. Identify any witnesses and get their names and phone numbers as well. Additionally, write down all the details about weather and road conditions, vehicle positions, and take pictures if you can.
- Seek medical attention from your personal or primary physician or urgent care clinic as soon as you can after the accident. This is of particular importance to your case because one of the hardest aspects of proving injury in a low impact collision is showing that the accident caused the injury. Make sure you visit your doctor in a timely manner, and that he or she documents that your injuries arose from the accident. Vehicle occupants, especially when struck from behind, can, and do, sustain serious injuries, which can lead to chronic and debilitating pain.
- Report the accident to your insurance company even if you believe the other driver is at fault. Your insurance company is entitled to be notified in order to preserve your rights to insurance coverage.
- If you are injured and your insurance company is giving you the runaround or offering you a lowball settlement, contact an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney immediately.
Common Types of Injuries in Low Impact Car Accident
The most common of these injuries is whiplash. Whiplash occurs as the result of a sudden or violent hyperextension of the neck. Symptoms can manifest within 24 hours, or be delayed and not become apparent for many days. In some cases, symptoms may subside and return a few days later. These symptoms can include stiffness in the neck and sometimes the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and arms.
Back strain and other soft tissue injuries are commonly sustained in low impact accidents. Back strain and other lower back injuries occur when vehicle occupants don’t have time to brace themselves in anticipation of the impact. Documented evidence shows that low-impact accidents can affect the soft tissues in a person’s neck or back, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, in addition to the chest and ribs. Sometimes, a person may feel the effects of these injuries for months. And in some cases, an individual may suffer from chronic pain that lasts for years.
Contact Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident – even one that occurred at low speeds – you would benefit from speaking with an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer. Contact the experienced Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys at the Green Law Firm today to schedule a no-obligation consultation and discuss your case. Contact us today at 1-719-694-8515.
