Small Car Accidents can have Big Injuries
Accidents at Any Speed Transfer Massive Shock Waves
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 29% of all vehicle crashes are rear-ended collisions. Rear-end accidents take the lead in the number of accidents and fatalities when compared individually against other points of impact. A lower speed rear-end impact is often called a fender-bender as a misnomer that diminishes realization for the gravity of such an accident. Read what our Car Accident Lawyers in Round Rock have to say:
Shock Wave Trauma
The reality is that any type of automotive accident is jarring and explosive. The forces that are at play can be similar to the shock waves that are expelled when detonating a military-grade bomb. You don’t have to be hit with any shrapnel to be killed by such a bomb. The invisible shock wave force travels through the vehicle and destroys soft tissue from the high pressures alone.
Even the smallest accidents can produce big injuries because the airbags may be deployed. Whiplash may result when the head and neck rapidly jerks forward or backward. The airbags produce their own shock waves because they are released with explosive forces. Auto mechanics have to be careful when working with airbags because they could be killed by them if they accidentally are discharged. Seatbelts can also tighten up and cause lacerations or fractured ribs.
A low-speed impact can result in the following injuries :
- Broken bones and fractures from airbag discharge
- Fractured ribs and chest injuries from seatbelts
- Back and spinal injuries
- Concussions
- Injuries to the hips, legs, or knees
- Lacerations and contusions
- Whiplash
A reputable car accident lawyer can obtain damages for the victim of such a rear-end car accident. Victims are usually compensated for any resulting medical expenses, loss of income, property damage, pain and suffering, and disability, among other things.
Determining liability
The issue of liability in a rear-end collision is not always cut and dry. There may be instances where the plaintiff was tailgating the defendant, and both contributed to the accident. However, if the defendant slammed on their brakes and their third brake light was burnt out, this may tilt the liability in favor of the plaintiff. Both parties may be found liable with a percentage of liability split between them by as little as 49% to 51%. In a case where the defendant was speeding, drunk, or fled from the scene of the accident, the plaintiff has a much stronger case.
Negligence
When car accidents occur, the car accident lawyer files a complaint that sounds in negligence. The attorney must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) standard that the defendants were negligent. In the case of an automobile accident, the insurance company of the injury-inflicting party is the defendant who is liable for the faults of his client. Negligence is often established with common sense and highway safety regulations as a bright-line guide of where negligent conduct begins.
Therefore, if the driver of the other vehicle was engaged in any reckless or negligent activity that would violate the following, a prima facie case (one that articulates the essential elements to be proven) can be presented.
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to keep safe following distances
- Aggressive driving
- Sudden hard braking
- Failing to yield
- Failing to take appropriate precautions for weather
- Failure to maintain the safety of their vehicle (brake lights, brakes, etc.)
Contact Us
When you need help presenting your accident injury in the best light with experts to receive maximum compensation, contact the premier Round Rock, Texas, accident attorney Elissa I. Henry. She has years of helping other personal injury victims through tough times and gets them the best compensation for their injuries as possible.
