Can Fender-Bender Injuries Be Serious?

 Posted on June 27, 2022 in Personal Injury

A “fender-bender” is a colloquial term for what most people would consider a very minor car accident. The name suggests that no real harm was done except for a dented bumper or wheel well. However, this is not always the case. Even a light bump can potentially cause serious harm to the people inside the vehicle.

People who have suffered an injury in a “minor” car accident often feel that they are struggling to get others to take their injuries seriously. Certainly, the driver who caused the accident and their insurance company are likely to try to downplay your injuries. You might be accused of “faking” or “exaggerating” your very real pain and bodily harm. If this is happening to you, know that a fender-bender is still a car accident, and the responsible driver is still liable for the injuries you actually suffered, not the injuries they think you should have suffered.

Why a Relatively Light Impact Can Cause Serious Harm

It should be fairly obvious that a human is much more vulnerable than a car. Even if the damage to the large chunk of metal you were sitting in is fairly minor, the damage to you might not be. When your car is hit, the force of the collision affects not only the car, but everything and everyone inside it. This commonly forces people’s necks to move suddenly in a way they were not meant to, causing injury.

Common Major Injuries Caused by Fender-Benders

A few of the serious injuries that are commonly seen after a “light” hit include:

• Concussions/brain contusions - Concussions and contusions are both injuries to the brain. They may occur when a person’s head “bounces” during the crash. Brain injuries may be caused by whiplash.
• Neck and spinal cord injuries - Again, it is the abrupt rocking motion when a person is thrown forward and then back into the seat that causes these injuries. A neck or spinal cord injury is a medical emergency and can cause serious permanent harm if not promptly treated.
• Hand, wrist, and arm injuries - People tend to throw their arms out to brace themselves during a crash. This basic human instinct can backfire when the force of the collision jams a person’s arms into the dashboard or seat back. Broken bones and ligament injuries are common. These injuries commonly require surgery to correct.

Any of these injuries can prevent a person from returning to work for weeks or longer. The medical bills associated with these harms can be substantial.

Call a DuPage County Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices may be able to help you recover compensation. Our skilled Lombard car accident attorneys will fight for you to receive everything you are entitled to. Contact us at 630-932-9100 to receive a free consultation.