Many people assume that only high-speed crashes cause serious harm. But as we’ve seen time and again at Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers, even a low-speed accident can result in long-term physical problems and significant medical costs. Our Edmond, OK car accident lawyer knows that just because a vehicle was traveling slowly doesn’t mean the injuries aren’t real, or that the impact won’t affect your life for months or even years. If you’re hurt in this type of crash, it’s important to take it seriously and get proper medical attention.
Low-speed accidents commonly happen in parking lots, residential areas, stop-and-go traffic, and intersections. These can be due to a collision with another vehicle, or they can also be caused by defective cars. They might involve speeds of less than 15 miles per hour, and sometimes neither vehicle appears heavily damaged. Because the damage to the cars looks minor, insurance companies often assume the injuries must be minor as well. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Soft tissue injuries are one of the most common results of these crashes. Whiplash, strained muscles, and ligament damage don’t always show up right away and might not appear on X-rays or scans. These conditions can cause stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility that affect a person’s ability to work, drive, or sleep comfortably. We’ve worked with clients who felt fine immediately after a crash but began experiencing serious symptoms within a few days. Even at low speeds, cars are large enough and weigh enough that they can still cause serious damage to a human body.
Another challenge with low-speed accident claims is proving the severity of the injury when the damage to the vehicle is minimal. Insurers often use photos of the cars to argue that a person couldn’t possibly be hurt that badly. But we’ve handled many cases where the injuries were significant regardless of how the car looked. We focus on building a case with medical records, doctor statements, and, when needed, testimony that connects the injury to the impact. Our job is to help you prove and win your claim.
We have multiple decades of experience working with injury victims across Oklahoma. Our team knows what signs to look for in these cases and how to push back against arguments that try to downplay the harm. We are here to ensure that you do not make common mistakes within your injury case so that you are able to get the compensation you deserve.
In some cases, a person with a pre-existing condition can suffer a new injury or aggravation of an old one, even in a low-speed crash. These situations require careful medical review to separate old issues from new symptoms. The law allows injured people to recover damages even if they were more vulnerable to injury than someone else might have been.
We’ve won settlements as large as $900,000 for car accident cases, and we treat every case with the same level of attention and care. Whether it’s a rear-end bump in traffic or a sudden jolt in a parking lot, we investigate thoroughly and help our clients pursue what they need to move forward.
If you were injured in a low-speed crash and are struggling with pain, medical bills, or lost time from work, don’t let others tell you it’s not serious. Contact Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers today to speak with an Edmond car accident lawyer who will take your concerns seriously and help you understand your legal options.
