The Difference Between a Minor Car Accident and a Major Car Accident

Car accidents can happen anywhere and to anyone. Every day, millions of drivers are on the road together, which heightens the opportunity for a minor car accident. Minor car accidents may be caused by taking phone calls, texting, lacking sleep, or having many distractions affecting their attention.

These can cause either a minor or a major car accident. Even minor accidents can cause serious personal injuries and property damage to your car.

Regardless of the severity of your accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention and legal advice to protect your rights even if your car accident was minor, as injuries or damages may not be immediately evident.

Being aware of the differences between serious car accidents and minor car accidents can help when deciding whether and how to proceed with a claim. Major accidents generally result in significant injuries, while minor accidents typically involve minimal property damage. Nevertheless, it is important to note that even seemingly minor fender-benders can cause severe injuries, such as whiplash or bruises.

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be stressful, even when it’s a minor one. After being in any type of accident, it is important for you to seek medical attention if necessary. It is important that you get legal counsel from a car accident lawyer if you are injured. Getting legal help can help you determine if you need to make a bodily injury claim for damages. Contact us for a free consultation.

The differences between minor and serious car accidents primarily revolve around impact and resulting injuries. Our car accident lawyers also explain the average car accident settlement amount in Texas.

What is Considered a Minor Car Accident?

A minor car accident is typically low speed and low impact, with only minor vehicular damage. Any injuries sustained in the accident are typically muscular or soft tissue only. Some car accident minor injuries include – pain in your neck and shoulders, headaches, muscle ache, or sprains.

• No Immediate Threat to Life: In a minor car accident, there is typically no immediate threat to life. Most individuals involved in minor accidents are in relatively good health following the collision.
• Minor Injuries: Injuries sustained in minor accidents are usually minor, such as bruises, minor cuts, or whiplash. These injuries do not pose a significant risk to life.
• Minimal Vehicle Damage: Vehicle damage in minor accidents is often minimal, involving minor dents or scratches.

However, it is possible that relatively low-impact, low-speed collisions can cause minor injuries from minor car accidents. This is especially true in rear-end collisions because even minor car accident collisions can cause neck injuries, such as whiplash.

What to Do In a Minor Car Accident? 

Many of those involved in a minor car accident with no damage wonder what they should do after such an experience. You may be grateful that all involved cars made it through without so much as a scratch. However, should you still call the police or your insurance company?  

While it may seem reasonable that you don’t need to report a minor accident, there are dangers in this assumption. Legal action may still be initiated by the other party even if you believe there was no property damage or that it was a minor car accident that’s not your fault. The other party in the accident might think differently. Another danger of failing to report your minor accident is delayed injury symptoms. Either party could begin to experience one of the common delayed injuries in their neck, head, or even internal injuries. Some symptoms could take days, or even weeks, to appear. 

Therefore, despite a car accident appearing to be minor, it’s still important to take the following steps after an accident to ensure you protect your rights. 

1. Call the Police 

Call the police and remain at the scene. Under Texas law, if someone is injured or the damage to one or more vehicles is more than $1,000, you must report your accident to the police. However, even if these elements are not immediately apparent, call the police to protect your rights after an accident.

2. Gather Evidence 

Gather as much evidence as you can at the scene. Take photographs of all vehicles and the surrounding location. Additionally, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses. 

3. Seek Medical Attention 

Even if you believe yourself to be injury-free, seek a medical evaluation. Many injuries are not immediately apparent but may cause severe complications in the hours, days, or weeks following an accident. 

Contact an Attorney 

Speak to an attorney to explore your options and the protection of your rights following an accident. Undertaking these steps protects you from liability, even after a minor accident. You might later discover previously unseen damage to your vehicle or experience serious injuries from the accident. The steps above will help protect you if you decide to pursue compensation against the at-fault party. 

What is Considered a Serious Accident?

Serious car accidents often result in serious injuries and damage. The property damage caused in a major accident is usually extensive. For example, multi-car collisions are some of the most serious types of accidents because many victims suffer multiple impacts, rather than a single impact. It is likely the vehicles involved will not be drivable after a major car accident.

1. Threat to Life: A major accident poses a significant threat to human life. It involves situations where individuals are at risk of suffering severe harm, and immediate intervention is often required to prevent loss of life.
2. Major Injuries: Those involved in a major accident typically sustain major injuries or complications. These injuries are often life-threatening, causing severe physical harm or impairments.
3. Lifelong Impact: In many cases, the injuries sustained in a major accident can lead to lifelong consequences, affecting a person’s health and well-being in the long term.
4. Potential Fatal Outcome: In the worst-case scenario, a major accident can result in death due to the severity of the injuries or complications

A serious car accident also involves serious, sometimes life-threatening injuries. Serious injuries include fractures, concussions, brain damage, disc herniations, and nerve damage. Long-term or permanent disabilities can result from a major car accident.

The claims process can be complex and overwhelming. Regardless of whether you are dealing with a minor or serious car accident claim, an experienced personal injury attorney can assist you. The attorneys at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP are knowledgeable and experienced in the rules, procedures, and law relating to insurance coverage. Contact our firm today for a free consultation regarding your claim or potential claim.

What To Do After A Major Car Accident?

A major car accident is typically characterized by severe collisions involving multiple vehicles or high-speed impacts. These accidents often result in critical injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or multiple fractures. They pose an immediate threat to life due to the severity of injuries sustained.

Deciding to get legal help after a major car accident is also a crucial and a vital decision.

If the accident was a minor one, legal help may not be needed, especially if you did not suffer any bodily injuries. But if the accident was major and resulted in injury, it is always advisable to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Consultations allow injured victims to learn more about their rights and seek fair compensation from auto insurance companies—often with no cost for legal advice.

Our firm offers free consultations with an experienced attorney who will evaluate your accident claim and explain the legal process involved in making the claim.

Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Today

Getting help from a skilled personal injury lawyer will ease the stress of the tedious process of making an insurance claim or seeking damages in court.

After you hire a lawyer, he or she will immediately begin investigating the car accident and work to develop the evidence needed to prove fault.

A car accident lawyer can also help connect accident victims with medical providers if they do not have health insurance or cannot afford medical care on their own.

An experienced personal injury lawyer will also negotiate with the insurance company to work toward a fair settlement of the claim.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, then a lawsuit may need to be filed so the case can be decided by a jury.

The lawyers at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP have the skills and experience to fight on your behalf if you’ve suffered injuries because of a minor or major accident.

Do not hesitate to call to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers.