After getting in a low-speed car accident, such as one in a parking lot or while you’re sitting at a red light, you may initially feel fine. You may think you didn’t sustain any injuries and can simply go about your day.
However, low-speed accidents can cause various injuries that may not be immediately noticeable. Over time, you may begin experiencing the symptoms of these injuries, and by that point, it could be difficult to connect them back to the accident. This is why you should always get checked by a medical professional and speak to a car accident lawyer after any crash you’re involved in.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in low-speed rear-end collisions. It’s a soft tissue injury affecting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and is caused by the head shaking back and forth after an impact.
In many cases, victims don’t realize they’ve suffered a whiplash injury until days later, as their neck becomes sore and stiff. Other symptoms of whiplash include headaches and tingling or numbness in the arms.
Strains and Sprains
Other soft tissue injuries you may experience after a low-speed collision are strains and sprains. A strain is an injury to muscles and tendons caused by overstretching, while a sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is the tissue connecting bones together.
The ankles, knees, wrists, and shoulders are common areas where strains and sprains occur in car accidents. While some strains and sprains are apparent immediately, others can stay hidden until swelling begins, causing pain and reduced mobility.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull when the head shakes violently due to an impact. While severe TBIs can cause permanent disability, even a mild TBI can have a lasting effect on your well-being.
Mild TBIs like concussions may cause nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, lack of coordination, and blurred vision. These symptoms often develop over time as the brain bleeds and swells, and medical treatment may be necessary.
Back and Spine Injuries
Many low-speed car accidents are rear-end collisions, which can damage the back and spine in various ways. For example, these injuries may include:
- Back muscle strains
- Herniated discs
- Vertebrae knocked out of alignment
- Spinal cord damage
The big issue with back and spine injuries is that they can affect your life for years or decades if you don’t receive proper treatment. A simple back injury in a low-speed collision can turn into a chronic pain condition or limit your mobility down the line.
Internal Bleeding
While low-speed accidents don’t usually cause severe internal organ damage, they can still cause internal bleeding, which may lead to other medical complications.
Internal bleeding in these cases typically results from your seatbelt tightening around your torso when the collision occurs. If you notice large bruises beginning to form in the days following a car accident, you should seek medical attention to make sure there isn’t a more serious underlying injury.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers
If you were in a low-speed car accident, you may have sustained underlying injuries that could affect your life in the future. This is why it’s crucial to work with an experienced and caring lawyer who can help you seek fair compensation.
At The Hayden Law Firm St. Louis Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand the impact that even a low-speed accident can have. That’s why we’re committed to aggressively pursuing the compensation you need and providing clear and open communication about the status of your auto insurance claim. Contact our firm to get started by speaking with a car accident lawyer.
