Even Crashes at Slow Speeds Can Cause Injuries

Monday, March 8, 2021

Even Crashes at Slow Speeds Can Cause Injuries

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Your accident didn’t have to occur at a high speed to cause injuries. Although insurance companies are quick to question injuries resulting from slow-speed crashes, you can successfully recover compensation with representation from an experienced lawyer. 

It’s common knowledge that speeding can result in motor vehicle accidents, some causing severe or even fatal injuries. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding killed 9,378 people on roads in the U.S. in 2018 alone. However, society has become so accustomed to equating serious and fatal car accidents with increased speeds that it ignores the fact that low-speed crashes can also cause injuries and damages. When it comes to receiving fair compensation for your injuries in a car accident, speed doesn’t matter. You need a knowledgeable Chicago car accident lawyer who knows how to prove your case, even though your accident occurred at a slow speed.

What is a Slow Speed Car Crash?

A slow-speed car crash typically refers to an accident that happens when traveling less than 10 miles per hour.  They often happen in parking lots and residential areas or when traffic is coming to a stop. When a slow-speed accident occurs, the vehicles involved typically sustain little to no damage. Still, the human body may not be as lucky. Even at under 10 miles per hour, the person in the vehicle who gets hit often suffers serious injuries requiring the expertise of a medical doctor and a Chicago car accident lawyer.

Common Slow Speed Accident Injuries

It’s crucial to understand that slow-speed accident injuries happen upon impact and not necessarily because of the speed of the at-fault driver’s vehicle. Upon impact, the driver whose vehicle is hit accelerates faster than the vehicle causing the initial impact.

Although they can be associated with crashes at any speed, several injuries are commonly found in those involved in a slow-speed accident. These include:

• Whiplash – Also referred to as a neck sprain or strain, this type of injury happens when the body receives a forceful blow, bump, or thrust, causing the head to snap forward or backward suddenly. Whiplash can lead to several types of injuries, including nerve damage.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – TBI injuries come in many different forms, including concussions, hematomas, and skull fractures. Some can cause severe permanent disabilities.
• Soft Tissue Injuries – While not as serious as other injuries, these can cause pain and disability. They include strains, sprains, and tears affecting the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments.

Any of these injuries and others resulting from a low-speed car accident might require surgery, extensive physical therapy, and continued medical observation. Healing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. 

An experienced Chicago car accident attorney knows how to prove these injuries occurred, even when the vehicles weren’t traveling that fast at the time of the accident. 

Talk to a Reputable Chicago Car Accident Lawyer about Your Slow Speed Crash Today

Don’t brush any pain, soreness, or other symptoms off merely because your accident occurred at a slow speed. See a doctor and then call the skilled car accident attorneys at Malman Law today to receive your free no-obligation legal consultation. Dial (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form.