Low Speed Rear End Accidents Cause Serious Injuries in Wyoming
Rear-end accidents can cause serious injuries, even when the vehicle that struck you wasn’t going fast. Victims of these collisions may suffer from injuries that cause long-term pain and functional limitations, like whiplash, herniated discs, or concussions.
The Campbell County car accident lawyers at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., represent people throughout Wyoming who have suffered significant injuries due to motor vehicle accidents. If you’ve been hurt in a rear-end crash, it’s essential to understand your rights, the legal standards for compensation, and the medical documentation needed to build a strong case.
Why These Collisions Can Still Be Dangerous
When a rear-end crash occurs, the body absorbs sudden acceleration and deceleration, even at speeds under 10 mph. These collisions can easily strain muscles, tear ligaments, and shift spinal structures.
Common low-speed rear-end accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: A rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck that can cause damage to muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae.
- Disc Herniation: The force of impact can push spinal discs out of place, pressing on nerves and causing chronic pain.
- Concussions: Even if your head doesn’t strike an object, the sudden movement can jostle the brain, leading to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Strains, sprains, and torn ligaments in the back, shoulders, and neck can take months to heal and may limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks.
Establishing Causation and Damages
To pursue a low-speed impact compensation claim, you’ll need to prove that another driver was negligent and their actions caused your injuries. Negligence refers to a driver’s failure to exercises reasonable care. Examples include ignoring traffic laws, DUI, and distracted driving. To prove negligence, you’ll have to demonstrate two key legal elements: causation and damages.
Causation
You must link your injuries directly to the collision. In low-impact crashes, this can be challenging because:
- Symptoms like whiplash or back pain may not appear immediately.
- There may be little visible vehicle damage.
- Insurance companies often argue that injuries are pre-existing or unrelated.
To overcome these challenges, your Gillette personal injury attorney may use:
- Medical expert testimony to explain how the crash caused your condition.
- Accident reconstruction to show the force and direction of impact.
- Witness statements and police reports to confirm the crash details.
Damages
Damages refers to the financial and non-financial losses caused by the accident. In low-speed crash claims, they may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The Role of Medical Documentation
One of the most common reasons soft tissue claims are denied is a lack of medical evidence. Insurance adjusters and juries want proof that your injury is serious and it is linked to the crash. To protect your right to compensation, you should:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine, go to a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. Delaying treatment gives the insurance company a reason to argue your injuries aren’t related to the crash.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
If your doctor prescribes physical therapy, rest, or medication, follow those instructions closely. Gaps in treatment suggest that your injuries may not be as serious as claimed.
Keep Detailed Records
Your attorney will collect detailed diagnostic notes, imaging results (X-rays, MRIs), and treatment history from your provider. Having comprehensive records makes it easier to file an effective personal injury claim.
Accident Reconstruction Can Strengthen Your Claim
Your attorney may call upon an accident reconstruction expert to support your claim. These experts collect evidence such as crash data, vehicle specs, skid marks, and seatbelt marks to show how the impact occurred, and how it could have caused your injuries.
This evidence can be valuable when:
- There is minimal visible vehicle damage
- The insurance company disputes fault or causation
- You have lingering or severe injuries
What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Many victims of low-speed rear-end accidents are misled by insurance companies. Adjusters may:
- Claim your pain is “normal” and doesn’t warrant a payout
- Say your car’s minor damage means you couldn’t have been hurt
- Offer a quick, low settlement before you know the extent of your injuries
Don’t fall for it! Always consult an attorney before accepting any settlement. Once you take a payout, you may lose the right to pursue further compensation, even if your condition worsens.
When It’s Time to Call an Attorney
If you’re dealing with any of the following after a rear-end collision in Gillette, it’s time to talk to a lawyer:
- You’re in pain days or weeks after the crash
- You’ve missed work due to your injuries
- You’re being pressured to settle quickly
- The other driver denies fault
- You’re unsure how to document your injuries or build your claim
At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., we take the time to investigate every detail so nothing is overlooked. Whether your case is settled out of court or goes to trial, we’re committed to pursuing maximum compensation for our clients. Our legal team understands how to work with medical experts, reconstruct accident scenes, and demand fair compensation for all damages, physical, emotional, and financial.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
While every case is different, victims of rear-end crashes may be entitled to:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium or enjoyment of life
- Property damage repair or replacement
Speak With a Trusted Rear-End Accident Attorney in Gillette
If you’ve been seriously injured by a negligent driver in Wyoming, don’t let insurance companies downplay your injuries because the crash happened at a low speed.
Contact Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Call (307) 257-7800 to get started. Let us take on the legal battle, so you can focus on healing.
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