It makes sense that vehicles colliding at high speeds can cause catastrophic injuries. Did you know, though, that slow-speed crashes can still result in serious injuries? A seemingly minor car accident like a fender-bender or red light rear-end collision – even without major property damage – can easily cause harm to vehicle occupants.
Even if you initially think you aren’t hurt, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor after an accident. There are many different types of car accident injuries, and some of them might not be immediately apparent following a crash. If you do end up bringing a claim for compensation following an accident, medical documentation is critical.
Types of delayed-onset injuries include:
- Headaches – we all get headaches from time to time, but following a crash, a severe headache could indicate trauma like a concussion, blood clots, or a stroke
- Neck pain and stiffness – whiplash (a form of soft tissue damage) is one of the most common injuries following any car accident, and it commonly happens at slow speeds; neck pain could also indicate herniated disks, cervical vertebrae fractures or underlying muscle tears
- Numbness or a tingling sensation – numbness in the hands or feet may initially seem like a small complaint, but it can actually indicate serious underlying damage to the spinal cord
- Back pain – back pain could come from soft tissue damage, torn muscles, spinal cord damage, pinched nerves or fractured vertebrae; all are possible in even seemingly minor accidents
- Brain injuries/TBI – striking your head against the window, steering wheel or dashboard can result in concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries; high speed is not necessary for brain damage to occur
- Abdominal pain – this could indicate serious internal injuries and/or bleeding, so abdominal pain should always be taken seriously following a car crash
