Why a Driveable Car isn’t a Seriousness Indicator
It was just a fender bender, right? Those minor wrecks, ones that don’t shut down the roadways for hours, are often called fender benders. Vehicles sometimes hardly looked damaged, many of them still seem to be “driveable,” but the victims of those wrecks can still have debilitating injuries that show up days, even weeks, later.
Today the Car Crash Captain is looking at how the physics behind a crash (and modern vehicle technology) can mean that little damage to the vehicle is showing, but human injury can be severe. Remember, if you’ve been injured in a car wreck in the Richardson, Texas area, you need Herbert Law Group on your side to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries.
Why Driveable Car Does Not Mean No Injury
After a fender bender, one of the first things people will look at is how much damage the vehicle took. Many injuries that drivers and passengers sustain aren’t immediately visible (you can’t see whiplash in another person), and the damage to the rig are what we have to go on.
However, there’s little correlation between car crash damage and human injuries.
The NHTSA has researched this extensively, and laws are in place that require car companies to manufacture vehicles that protect the occupant first. However, there are several factors that still come into play. And a big part of it is that there are so many variables that go into the wreck, that you can’t account for every single one of them and how they will affect the human body (and every body is different, so the outcomes and situations are literally endless).
Modern Vehicles Can Transfer Impact to Occupants
Let’s start this off that modern vehicles are much safer than older vehicles. The chances of surviving a major wreck in a new vehicle, versus even 20 years ago, are much higher. There are some things, however, we need to take into account.
Vehicles today are built with crumple zones. These areas on the vehicle are designed to absorb the impact. Physics tells us that force has to go somewhere, and when vehicles crush, or crumple, the body of the car absorbs that force instead of transferring it to the occupant.
However, this is mostly during more intense crashes. Lower speeds means that vehicle doesn’t crumple as much. But the force still needs to be transferred somewhere – usually into the occupant. And we all know that the human body isn’t nearly as tough or strong as a metal vehicle.
Even with a small amount of damage to the structure of the vehicle, the body inside can still be damaged.
How Older Vehicles are Even Worse
That section on modern vehicles wouldn’t be complete without a short section on older vehicles. Think of it like two billiard balls. They don’t crumple and what happens when they collide? They violently ricochet off each other. If a human was inside the ball, they’d be bounced around inside.
It’s similar in older rigs. The force of the impact causes the human inside to take the force and “crumple.”
Injuries Drivers Sustain in Low-Damage Collisions
Insurance companies love to minimize the injuries you’ve sustained in your wreck. They don’t pay out as much, they keep collecting premiums, and ultimately they’re posting record profits year after year.
That’s because they claim your car is driveable, so your injuries aren’t severe. Those injuries which can include:
- Neck and Back Strain
- Herniated Discs
- Nerve Damage
- Concussion and Mild TBI
- Chronic Pain that Worsens Over Time
If you settle quickly after a wreck, some of the damages will be covered. But these injuries that require longer term physical therapy, perhaps even years of chronic pain, and a diminished quality of life need to be accounted for. And that’s why you need a professional car wreck lawyer in the Dallas, Texas area to fight for you.
How Herbert Law Group Fights for You
We have dealt with every insurance company. We know their tactics, we know their sleight of hand, and we know how to push back. When you’re struggling to recover physically, you don’t have the capacity to argue with insurance companies that won’t play fairly.
That’s why you need Herbert Law Group.
We will take on those insurance company and ensure you receive the most compensation possible. It all starts with a conversation to determine how we can help. Call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out our contact form and we’ll reach out to you.