Low-Impact Car Accident Injuries in Binghamton

Even a relatively small four-door sedan such as a Honda Civic weighs about a ton and a half – enough to impart considerable force when traveling at low speeds. Low-impact collisions can cause soft tissue damage, whiplash injury, and even bone fractures. If you’ve been hurt in a low-impact car accident in New York, you could be dealing with significant injuries and surprisingly expensive medical bills. You may be unable to work for a while.

You don’t have to face this challenging situation alone. Contact Scott Gottlieb for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has handled many personal injury cases can review the details of the low-speed crash, explain your legal options for seeking compensation, and answer any questions about the process.

What Is a Low-Impact Car Accident?

A low-impact car accident occurs at low speeds, usually under 15 miles per hour. Low-speed car accidents typically result in minor injuries and minimal property damage, though in some cases, the injuries sustained can be more serious.

Low-impact collisions can occur in various ways. Some of the most common causes for these accidents include:

• Distracted Driving – People frequently try to multitask when driving at low speeds, believing they will not crash because they’re not going fast. However, this is not the case. Low-speed accidents caused by distracted driving are common at intersections and in parking lots.
• Rear-End Accidents – Many accidents at intersections are low-impact rear-end collisions. The collisions occur because drivers do not realize the vehicle in front of them has stopped at a traffic light or sign.
• Adverse Weather Conditions – Rain, fog, snow, and ice can contribute to low-impact car accidents by reducing visibility and making roads slippery. Drivers should adjust their driving speed to match the road and weather conditions.
• Driving Under the Influence – Intoxicated drivers often speed and get into serious acci-dents. But they are just as likely to cause a low-speed collision.

Can You Have Injuries From a Low-Impact Accident?

Low-impact collisions can result in a range of common injuries. While many low-impact injuries heal in a few weeks, others can cause chronic pain and require ongoing medical attention. Common low-impact accident injuries include:

• Whiplash – This type of soft tissue injury affects the neck. It occurs when the head moves back and forth rapidly beyond its normal range of motion after an impact such as a car crash, causing strain to muscles and ligaments. Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, neck stiffness, headaches, and weakness of the arms.
• Soft Tissue Injuries – Low-impact collision victims can sustain other soft tissue injuries affecting the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in different parts of the body. Soft tissue injuries in the back and forearms are common.
• Concussions – A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may result in symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and lack of coordination. Some symptoms may not be immediately apparent after a collision, making it essential to seek medical attention promptly. A medical professional can order diagnostic tests and diagnose a concussion.
• Broken Bones – In some cases, low-impact crashes can cause broken bones. For example, you may break the bones in your wrists if you’re holding the steering wheel when struck from behind. And you could break your nose if the impact causes you to strike your head on the steer-ing wheel.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

A car accident lawyer can handle all the details of your low-impact collision case while you focus on recovering from your injuries. More specifically, an experienced personal injury lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident and gather your medical records and proper documentation to sup-port your claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance
• Calculate the value of your personal injury claim based on your present and future medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured
• Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf for a low-impact accident settlement that covers your financial expenses and losses
• File a lawsuit demanding full compensation and take your car accident case to trial if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement

Can You Get Compensation for Injuries From a Low-Impact Car Accident?

You can seek compensation for your injuries after a low-impact car accident in several ways. You will likely start by filing an auto insurance claim with your insurance provider. New York requires all drivers to carry no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. These policies provide first-party benefits to the policyholder after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

One of the primary benefits of no-fault insurance claims is that you don’t need to prove that someone else’s actions caused your injuries. However, the downside is that you can only seek compensation for your economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Personal in-jury protection policies do not cover pain and suffering. If you suffer a serious injury as defined by New York law, such as a broken bone, then you may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and seek compensation for your losses beyond those covered by the PIP policy.

An experienced New York personal injury attorney can review your accident and help you understand the steps you can take.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a low-impact car accident in New York, injury law attorney Scott Gottlieb is ready to assist you. Attorney Scott Gottlieb focuses solely on injury cases and has a track record of securing significant settlements and trial verdicts for injured people. Contact the law firm today for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in New York. Let Scott Gottlieb put his more than 30 years of legal experience to work on your behalf and demand the money you need to put your life back together.