Can I Really Get Injured in A Low-Speed Accident?

Following a low-speed accident in Zephyrhills you may hear a lot of excuses like: “I barely hit you!” or ”I wasn’t even going fast!” While injuries sustained in car accidents at high speeds are often quite serious, low-speed accidents can cause just as many that can also be debilitating.

A low-speed crash is “low-speed” when a vehicle is going 20-25 miles per hour. Though this number doesn’t seem to be very fast, studies have shown that a rear-end impact at just 5 miles per hour can cause significant injuries.

Learn more about low-speed car accident injuries from our team here at Impact Medical Zephyrhills.

What is a Low-Speed Accident?

Generally, a low-speed car accident refers to a collision that occurs under 10 miles per hour. While the vehicles involved may have little to no damage, the human body often fares much worse. At just 7 miles per hour, a person in the vehicle that was hit may suffer injuries that require the expertise of a medical doctor and a physical therapist.

Though low-impact collisions are often called “fender-benders” due to the minimal external damage to a bumper, side door, or another part of the car, the injuries involved could be quite serious.

Common Injuries in a Low-Speed Car Accident

Several injuries can occur as the result of a low-speed car accident. They include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a very common car accident injury and occurs when the head snaps forward or backward abruptly or receives a blow.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

Neck stiffness and pain

Low back and shoulder pain

Headache

Lack of concentration

Memory problems

Dizziness

Irritability

Tiredness

Trouble sleeping

Reduced range of motion

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to many types of head injuries including concussions, hematomas, and skull fractures.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries sustained in a car accident can include strains, sprains, and tears that can affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin of those involved.

Herniated Discs

The discs in the spine create a cushion between the vertebrae in the spine. When a person suffers from a herniated disc, it can be quite painful as the jelly-like substance inside the disc begins to leak out. This irritates nerves and can cause numbness, arm or leg pain, and muscle weakness.

Any of the above injuries can require extensive physical therapy that lasts anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the extent of the injuries.

What Should You Do if You are Involved in a Low-Speed Accident?

Even if you believe that the accident was minor, or you don’t feel any immediate pain from an accident, you should still seek medical treatment from our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills. Often, injuries do not manifest for days or even weeks following an accident.

It is important to contact a doctor to get checked as soon as possible after an accident not only to make sure you do not have injuries but also to use your Personal Injury Protection benefits. These expire within 14 days of an accident in the State of Florida, so it is crucial to seek care as soon as you can after an accident.

Were You in a Low-Speed Accident?

Even if you do not feel pain after a low-speed car accident, it is imperative to seek medical treatment as soon as possible following an accident. Our physical therapy team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills is ready to help you heal from whiplash, muscle strains, herniated discs, and more! Come visit us today!

If you have been in a low-speed accident, don’t wait. Call our clinic in Zephyrhills today; 813-737-7965!