Low-Impact Car Accidents in Las Vegas: Serious Injuries From Fender Benders

What Causes Low-Impact Car Accidents in Las Vegas?

Some of the common causes of low-impact crashes in Vegas include:

• Distracted driving
• Tailgating
• High congestion
• Tourists
• Drug or alcohol impairment
• Aggressive brake checking
• Construction zones
• Reckless driving habits
• Drowsy driving

According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, the most common time for car accidents in the state is between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

Why Injuries Occur in Low-Impact Las Vegas Car Accidents

While you might think there wouldn’t be any injuries or only minor injuries in crashes that occur at speeds of 15 mph or slower, you would be wrong.

The design of modern bumper systems to fit federal safety standards is much stiffer than older vehicles to reduce vehicle damage. Older vehicles used to have shock absorbers in the bumper systems to absorb the kinetic energy from the crash and reduce the force being transferred to the drive and occupants.

However, on newer cars, the shock absorbers are no longer there and instead utilize reinforcement systems that do not absorb the kinetic energy from the crash. Instead, it is transferred directly to the driver and occupants, resulting in potentially serious injuries.

Sadly, the vehicle could look perfectly fine, while the driver experiences whiplash or a concussion.

How Fault Is Determined in Low-Impact Crashes

Neveda is an at-fault state, meaning whoever is at fault is responsible for the other person’s injuries and property damage.

The state also uses a modified comparative negligence system when assigning fault. So, it is possible that one driver could be 75% at fault, while the other is 25%.

Police will generally use witness statements, traffic cam footage, and the location of the vehicle’s impact to determine fault.

Injuries From Low-Impact Car Accidents: Don’t Ignore Symptoms

Many symptoms of low-impact car crashes don’t always appear immediately. It can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours for them to appear. You might first notice bruising or slight soreness and pain. Muscles could seem stiff and sore.

Other common injuries could include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Whiplash
• Back, neck, and shoulder pain
• Fractured or broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Anxiety

Even if it doesn’t seem like you are injured at the time of the accident, it cannot be stressed enough to still seek medical attention as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the more likely the insurance company will use that against you and say your injuries aren’t serious.

Steps To Take After a Low-Impact Car Accident in Las Vegas

After a low-impact fender bender, you should:

• Secure the scene: Check for injuries, call 911, file a police report, and exchange info with all drivers.
• Seek medical treatment: Visit a walk-in clinic, your primary care doctor, or ER the same day.
• Document everything: Take photos and videos of the crash site, vehicles, any present injuries, and obtain witness statements.
• Notify your insurance provider: Contact your insurance company and open a claim, but do not make any statements or admit fault.
• Speak to a car accident lawyer: Insurance adjusters will be quick to settle low-impact accident claims. Before accepting a settlement, get free legal advice first.

Nevada Law and Your Rights in Low-Impact Claims

• Statute of limitations: You have two years to file an injury claim and three years to file a property damage claim from the date of the accident.
• Partial fault allowed: You can still file as long as you are 50% or less at fault.
• Damages available: The damages available are economic (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic (pain and suffering, mental anguish).
• Punitive damages: These damages are rarely awarded — only when egregious behavior occurs.
• Low-impact defense: This is a common defense used by insurers to reduce payout.

Why Hire Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers for Low-Impact Cases?

Some of the reasons to hire a Las Vegas car accident lawyer include:

• Insurance company disputes: Insurances will claim minimal car damage means minimal personal injuries.
• Fault disputes: The insurance adjuster or the other driver may say you were at fault.
• Access to experienced personal injury attorneys: Experience attorneys can combat insurer’s tactics, gather evidence, prove negligence, and negotiate for maximum compensation.
• Helps protect your rights: Attorneys will prevent you from making mistakes or making statements that can be used against you.
• Addresses complexities: We can help with settlement disputes, vehicle repair disputes, and ongoing medical care disputes.
• No fees unless we win: We work on a contingency basis.
• Free case evaluations: We offer free legal advice and recommendations with no out-of-pocket costs.
• Local knowledge of Las Vegas: We are aware of high-risk crash sites and traffic laws, which strengthens case results.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Whether you’ve been in a low-impact crash or another type of car accident, it is important to find out your options and protect your legal rights.

You may be surprised by how much compensation you are actually entitled to receive, which insurance adjusters will never tell you. Even if you have a pending settlement from the insurance company, it never hurts to get an honest second opinion before signing off. Schedule your free appointment now.

Speak with our Las Vegas car accident attorneys today.