A problem with seemingly “minor” car accidents is that there is no way to definitively determine if the accident actually was minor or not. For example, you might be driving down streets you know like the back of your hand, like Peachtree or I-285, feel a quick bump from behind, but think that nothing serious has happened. However, unknown to you, that momentary jolt very well may have caused tiny tears in the soft tissues surrounding your spine. Weeks or months later, that “minor” fender bender is now causing you significant pain that could last a lifetime if it is not promptly treated.
Having proper legal support from the very beginning is the best way to ensure that your legal rights stay protected. After all, even minor car accidents can cause devastating injuries that are not apparent until much, much later. However, if you fail to enforce your legal rights or acquire evidence at the scene, getting the compensation you deserve may be practically impossible.
If you have been involved in a car accident, contact Mabra Law at 404-344-5255 to protect your rights today.
How Can Minor Car Accidents Cause Major Damage?
Many drivers assume that a minor accident means a quick exchange of driver information and a simple insurance claim. In Metro Atlanta, however, low-impact collisions can quickly become complicated. Modern motor vehicles are engineered to absorb impact, which means severe frame damage can exist underneath an intact bumper. That can result in a car that looks cosmetically fine needing extensive repair work or even being outright totalled.
Similarly, the physical forces exerted on human bodies inside a stopping car are considerable, even at speeds under 15 miles per hour. A sudden stop on the Downtown Connector or along Piedmont Avenue can snap your head and neck forward, creating micro-tears in muscles and ligaments. What looks like a minor scratch on your rear bumper may actually involve thousands of dollars in hidden mechanical damage and long-term medical treatment.
Hidden Injuries That Can Develop After a Minor Crash
Low-impact collisions frequently cause delayed physical symptoms that do not show up immediately at the crash scene. Common hidden injuries include whiplash, concussions, lumbar strain, and soft-tissue damage. These conditions often take hours or days to produce severe pain, which is why immediate medical evaluation is critical after any incident.
Adrenaline rushes through your body immediately following a collision, masking pain signals and hiding physical distress. You might walk away from a crash on Moreland Avenue feeling fine, only to wake up two days later unable to turn your neck or bend over without pain.
Common delayed injuries associated with low-speed collisions include:
- Whiplash and Neck Strains. These injuries are caused by sudden jolts of the neck that occur in even the slowest of car crashes. They frequently lead to soft-tissue damage and chronic neck and back pain.
- Concussions. Even in minor car accidents, a low-speed bump is enough to cause your head to jerk suddenly, which results in your skull smashing against your brain. This can immediately cause a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
- Joint and Wrist Sprains. Drivers frequently brace for impact by firmly holding their steering wheel. When that happens, they can suffer injuries such as shoulder tears and chronic joint inflammation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Atlanta Car Crashes
Do I need to call the police for a minor fender bender in Atlanta?
In the majority of cases, you do. Georgia law requires notifying the police as soon as possible whenever there is a car accident that causes $500 in damage or more. In even very minor crashes, the immediate cosmetic damage on both vehicles tends to exceed $500. Additionally, slow-moving crashes can cause devastating physical injuries that are not readily apparent. By calling the police, you can ensure that an official accident report is taken and initial impressions are locked down on the spot.
How long do I have to file a minor accident claim in Georgia?
In Georgia, the standard statute of limitations is two years for personal injury claims. However, if you are involved in a crash with a government-owned vehicle, the statute of limitations is significantly shorter. That is why you should call an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident, because it ensures that you do not accidentally waive your right to compensation.
What if the insurance company offers me a settlement right away?
If you are offered a settlement immediately, you should not accept it until you understand the full extent of your injuries and property damage. In the vast majority of cases, a quick settlement offer is only a fraction of what your case is worth.
Additionally, practically all settlement offers require you to waive your right to seek further compensation. For example, if you accept a settlement offer and then discover that those “minor back aches” are only getting worse and worse, you are generally barred from getting the full compensation you would have otherwise been entitled to.
Can soft-tissue injuries show up days after a minor car crash?
Yes, absolutely. Soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash and ligament sprains often take several days to present symptoms. In some cases, it may take weeks or months. In part, this is because adrenaline after a crash can mask the immediate pain. Furthermore, microscopic tears in your soft tissue might not present symptoms until long after the crash. That is why it is important to seek immediate medical attention after a traffic accident.
Mabra Law Helps Injured People After Atlanta Car Accidents
After a minor car accident, most people shrug their shoulders and consider it an unfortunate part of the American automobile lifestyle. Unfortunately, just a few hours or days later, they might start feeling significant back pain from soft-tissue damage that feels like it came out of nowhere. By contacting the police and the Mabra Law team as soon as possible, you give yourself the best chances at getting the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, no matter how “minor” the car accident was.
Protect your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Contact Mabra Law at 404-344-5255.