There are a few key steps you should take following a minor car collision to ensure you get the coverage you need and deserve. And, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can further increase the likelihood that your rights are upheld and you are sufficiently compensated.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what a minor car accident is, common causes and injuries that occur in a minor accident, and what you should do immediately following the accident to protect your ability to seek compensation.
What Is Considered A Minor Car Accident?
A minor accident is one that causes less damage and injuries than a major car accident. In most cases, no one is injured in a minor car accident and there is little damage to the vehicles involved. For example, a fender bender or a rear-end accident at a low speed are both typically considered minor auto accidents.
While most people consider minor accidents to be no big deal — if anything just a hassle to deal with — others experience long-lasting effects such as emotional trauma, injuries, and expensive damages to their vehicle.
Common Causes Of Minor Accidents
Minor accidents happen for a variety of reasons. While more severe accidents are often the cause of reckless or dangerous driving, minor accidents are often the result of bad luck or momentary distractedness. The following are a few of the most common causes of minor auto accidents:
- Teenage drivers who are inexperienced
- Potholes
- Driving at night with limited visibility
- Not adhering to traffic signs and signals
- Inclement weather
- Texting while driving
- Eating or drinking while driving
Examples of the damage to vehicles they may cause include:
- Busted tires
- Dents in the body of the vehicle
- Busted headlights or taillights
- Cracked windshields or windows
- Scratches on the exterior of the vehicle
- Damage to the fender of the vehicle
- Damage to the rear-end of the vehicle
Most minor accidents happen at low speeds, which is why they typically don’t result in a large amount of damage or serious injuries to the motorists involved.
Minor Car Accident Injuries
While minor car accidents aren’t nearly as dangerous as major car accidents, they can still result in injuries that require medical attention and treatment. Here are some of the most common injuries incurred in a minor auto accident:
- Whiplash
- Strains and sprains
- Bruises
- Scratches and lacerations
- Concussion
- Broken bones
- Pulled ligaments or muscles
- Injury to the head or brain
The cause of the accident and where the vehicle was hit will largely determine the injuries a person sustains during the accident. For example, if a driver is rear-ended, their head may hit the steering wheel and result in injury to the head or brain. Drivers who are hit on the side of the vehicle may experience whiplash. Seeking medical attention following a minor accident is important regardless of whether you believe your injuries are severe or you think you haven’t been injured. This is because several injuries have a delayed reaction and aren’t made evident until days or weeks following the accident.
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Minor Vs. Major Car Accidents
There are a few key differences between minor and major accidents. These differences include:
- Major accidents often result in serious or life-threatening injuries while minor accidents typically do not.
- Major accidents cause serious damages to the vehicles involved, while minor accidents often result in little or no damage to the vehicles.
- Major car accidents can cause long-term injuries that last for several weeks, months, or years, while minor accidents typically result in injuries that do not have long-term implications.
Most car insurance companies typically don’t distinguish between these two types of auto accidents. So, if you’ve been in a minor accident and sustained injuries or property damage, you can still choose to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.
What To Do After A Minor Auto Accident
There are a few important steps you should follow immediately after being involved in a minor auto accident. These steps include:
Seek Medical Attention
Unless you are 100% sure that you or your passengers did not sustain injuries, you should seek medical treatment immediately following the accident. This is true even if your injuries seem minor, as many injuries can worsen over time or develop days or even weeks after the accident. Getting medical attention will provide documentation regarding injuries and medical expenses that you can use when seeking compensation.
Call The Police
You should also call the police following an auto accident, even if it is minor. The police will come to the scene and determine who was at fault and the damage that was sustained during the accident. They will also provide you and the other driver with a police report, which is often required by insurance companies when seeking compensation for damages and injuries.
Get The Other Driver’s Contact Information
Additionally, get the contact information of the other driver as soon as possible after the accident. If the collision occurred somewhere with heavy traffic, move your vehicles to a safe location and then ask for contact information. Information to get from the other driver includes their name, address, date of birth, driver’s license number, and insurance policy number.
Don’t Lose Your Temper
It can be frustrating to deal with an accident, even one that is minor. This is especially true if the other driver was at-fault. While your emotions may be running high after the accident you may have the urge to lash out at the other driver or react in an out-of-control way. However, it’s important to stay calm, avoid blaming the other driver for the accident, and do not apologize for your involvement in the collision.
Get Documentation
When it’s safe, you should get out of your vehicle and take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident as well as any property damage or injuries incurred. You can use your cell phone’s camera to do this or another camera that you have readily available. Documentation like pictures is important when filing a claim and seeking compensation for injuries and damages.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if you’re not at fault for the accident, it’s still important to notify your insurance company that you were involved in an accident. You should be able to find the correct number to call on the back of your insurance card or on your insurance carrier’s website. This keeps them in the loop and prepares them to provide coverage in the event that the other driver is without insurance or underinsured.
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Contact The Florin|Roebig Car Accident Lawyers
Dealing with a minor accident can be stressful and challenging, even if it didn’t result in severe injuries or property damage. There are several steps you’ll need to go through to file a claim with your or the other driver’s insurance company and ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve. Working with an experienced car accident attorney, such as those at Florin|Roebig, helps to alleviate that stress. We will do the hard work for you, so you can focus on getting your life back on track following the accident. Call us today for a 100% confidential and free consultation.
