Low-Impact Car Accidents Can Result in Serious Injuries. Our Kansas City Car Accident Attorney Can Help.

Low-Impact Car Crashes in the Kansas City Area

Low-impact car accidents are common in the Kansas City area and throughout Kansas and Missouri. Just because your car only sustained minor damage does not mean your injuries and pain aren't real. The insurance company may try to discount or deny your injury claim in a minor crash, but don’t give up.

Our Kansas City car accident lawyer has helped accident victims in low-impact collisions recover the compensation they deserve.  Below are some pointers on what you can do right now to improve the value of your personal injury claim.

Low-impact collisions are often referred to as “fender-benders” because the damage limited to external dents and scratches to a bumper, side door or other external part of the car.

If you are involved in a low speed crash, you should treat the accident just like any other car accident. Your actions after the crash can have a big effect on how the insurance company values your claim and the amount of compensation you ultimately receive.

Common Causes of Low Impact Car Crashes

A low-impact or slow-speed car accident can occur in a number of circumstances. For example, a low-impact collision typically occur in:

• Merging or changing lanes in stop-and-go traffic
• Rear-end collisions in slow traffic
• Accidents in school zones, including school bus accidents
• Collisions in parking lots or when entering or exiting parking lots
• Crashes at 4-way stops
• Accidents in pedestrian zones, including crosswalks

Despite what the insurance company may tell you, injuries in low-impact car accident can be serious, require substantial medical treatment, and even result in permanent pain or limitations. Insurance companies 

Unfortunately, insurance companies are notorious for denying or discounting the value of claims for drivers or passengers who are injured in low-speed accidents As a result, these cases often require the assistance of an aggressive car accident attorney who will gather the evidence to support the claim and fight for the fair compensation.

Neck, Back & Spine Injuries in a Low-Impact Car Crash

The most common kind of low-impact car accident is a rear-end collision. When one car crashes into the back of another, the sudden impact can cause your head to snap back and forth in a violent motion. This “whipping” effect, also referred to as “whiplash,” can result in damage to the soft tendons and ligaments in your neck. 

Soft tissue injuries like whiplash sometimes will heal with minimal intervention of a doctor. However, some whiplash injuries result in ongoing and severe pain, restricted range of motion, and other symptoms. If you suspect that you have suffered whiplash in a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention and be evaluated by a specialist who will fully document and treat your injuries.  You should continue to follow up with your doctor until you have reached your maximum medical improvement. 

One of the best ways to ensure that you recover full compensation for your soft tissue injuries in a low-speed crash is to have your doctor prepare detailed medical records that document your injury.  These records should objectively establish that your injury directly resulted from the collision.

Other Kinds of Injuries in Low-Speed Auto Accidents

Whiplash is just one kind of injury that can result from a low-impact car crash. Other injuries that are common in low-impact and low-speed accidents include:

• Bone fractures and breaks
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions
• Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Shoulder injuries or knee injuries
• Lacerations, scars and disfigurement
• Other soft tissue injuries

What Should I Do After a Low-Impact Car Accident?

1.  Call 9-1-1 and Report the Crash

After any car accident, you should call 911 to request assistance if you were injured in a low-speed crash. The police will make an official record of the accident, including how it happened, who was at fault and whether anyone was injured.  If the other driver flees the accident scene, you need to stay at the accident scene until police arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a “hit and run” and can result in criminal charges. 

2.  Gather Important Information

Second, you should not rely on the police to get all the necessary information.  You should gather important information on your own.  This means you should take photographs and videos of damage to the cars, accident scene and any injuries. In addition, you should get the contact information of the other driver (including insurance information) and any eyewitnesses.

3.  Seek Prompt Medical Care

If you are injured, you should go to the emergency room or see your doctor as soon as possible. Prompt medical treatment is important for your health and your legal claim. The insurance company will use any delay or lack of medical treatment to argue that you were not seriously injured.  You need to communicate all your symptoms to the doctor and make sure your doctor conducts a complete examination to determine the full scope of your injuries.

4.  Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Before Talking to the Adjuster or Signing Forms

You need to be careful dealing with the insurance company for the at-fault party.  We recommend that you do not provide a written or recorded statement or sign any documents for the other driver’s insurance company until you have at least have a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.  Our Kansas City car accident attorneys offers free, no obligation consultation.

Low-impact car crashes can result in serious injuries with long-term care needs. These can also be difficult cases to handle on your own because the insurance company will devalue the case or even deny that you were injured.  For this reason, it is critical that you get help from an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Have Questions? Call Our Kansas City Car Accident Attorney 

If you are uncertain whether you have grounds for an accident claim, take advantage of the free, no obligation consultation by calling our law firm at (816) 203-0143, or filling out a form below.  Contacting our Kansas City car accident attorney is FREE and confidential, and there is no obligation to hire our law firm.  We would be happy to hear any concerns and try to assist you.  

You can also get more helpful information right now by downloading a free copy of our attorney's book, Crash Course: 9 Mistakes to Avoid Wrecking Your Injury Claim in Kansas and Missouri.  This guide is packed with helpful tips to maximize your claim.  There are legal deadlines that affect your claim so don't delay - act now.