Some accidents barely cause a scratch, while others cause catastrophic damage. The differences between “minor” and “serious” accidents can matter for several reasons, including the types and amount of compensation available.
In this article, our Birmingham car accident lawyer explains the differences between serious and minor car accidents and why it matters to your Alabama personal injury case.
Serious vs. Minor Accidents: How They Differ
Every accident affects the people who experience it. In that way, all accidents should be taken seriously. However, some accidents cause more financial, physical, and emotional damage than others. Here are a few factors that separate serious accidents from minor ones:
- Vehicle Damage. Serious accidents typically cause significant damage to a car’s frame, bumper, engine compartments, and glass components. Usually, the car needs to be towed away afterward. On the other hand, minor accidents usually cause little more than scratches or dents, and the car remains fully drivable afterward.
- Minor accidents can cause serious injuries such as whiplash. As such, people should seek medical care after any accident. However, serious accidents cause injuries that usually need emergency treatment, surgery, or hospitalization.
- Recovery time. Injuries from minor accidents usually recover quickly and cause few, if any, lasting effects. On the other hand, recovery after a serious accident can take months or years. In some serious cases, the injured person may suffer permanent damage.
- Psychological and emotional impact. Minor accidents can certainly cause short-term stress or anxiety. Serious accidents can lead to lasting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or fear of driving. These conditions may require long-term treatment and have a direct impact on the injured person’s quality of life.
Serious vs. Minor Accidents: How They Happen
Perhaps the biggest difference between serious and minor accidents is how they happen. The key factors are speed, the types of vehicles, and the number of vehicles.
Speed: Most minor accidents happen at low speeds. By contrast, higher speeds usually cause more serious accidents.
Types of vehicles: Generally, when cars of similar size hit each other, they cause proportionate damage. On the other hand, if an SUV hits a four-door sedan, the smaller vehicle is likely to suffer more damage, and its occupants are likely to suffer more severe injuries.
Number of vehicles: It’s dangerous when one car hits another car. However, when two cars hit one car, the damage multiplies.
The point of impact: Where the car is hit can determine how severe the accident will be. For instance, the most dangerous accidents are T-bone accidents. In a T-Bone accident, one car’s front slams into another car’s side. Because car doors don’t have the same safety features as the front and rear bumpers, side-impact crashes can be very dangerous.
Serious vs. Minor Accidents: Why the Difference Matters
If you’ve been in a minor fender bender, you may think about handling your case yourself. This is not a great idea, and it’s definitely far better to work with an Alabama personal injury lawyer, but if there aren’t any serious injuries, it makes some sense to consider it.
However, if you’ve been in a major accident that caused injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery, you should definitely hire a Birmingham accident attorney. There are at least three reasons for this. The first is fault. It can be hard to determine fault in a serious accident. For example, determining fault in trucking accidents can be tricky. Many different people and businesses – including the truck driver, the company that hired the driver, and the company that loaded the truck – might be wholly or partially responsible. Accidents involving multiple cars raise similar concerns. An experienced lawyer can help sort through the evidence and the law on fault to figure out the best way to proceed.
Second, if you’ve been in a serious accident that caused serious injuries, you likely have a large stack of medical bills. You probably also lost time from work. You need a lawyer on your side to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Finally, in any accident, it’s important to remember that the other driver’s insurance company will fight hard to avoid paying your claim. You need an Alabama car crash attorney on your side to ensure that someone is fighting for you just as hard.
Need Help with a Serious or Minor Alabama Car Accident?
While any car accident is stressful, the difference between a minor and a serious one can affect your health, your finances, and your future. If you or a loved one has been injured in a minor or serious car accident, protecting your rights should be a priority. If you need legal representation after an accident, call Collins Law, LLC. Our team will treat you with compassion and care. We’ll also work hard to make sure that you keep as much of your settlement or verdict as possible. Call us today at 205-588-1411 or use our website’s online scheduling tool to schedule a free consultation.
