Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Published on: June 17, 2025

Being involved in any car accident, even a minor one, can be a frightening and stressful experience. In the U.S., 53% of crashes involve a striking vehicle traveling under 30 mph. Many low impact car accidents occur when a vehicle is stopped at a red light or stop sign, turning left, or in parking lots.

Many people assume that low impact accidents don’t cause injuries or damages. Victims may be unsure about filing an auto accident claim, while insurers might underpay, arguing that the low velocity could not have caused major damage.

At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., our experienced auto accident attorneys understand the serious consequences of low impact collisions. We accurately assess your damages after a minor crash to ensure your settlement covers all injuries and losses.

What is a Low Impact Car Accident?

A low impact car accident occurs when the vehicles involved are traveling at low speeds, typically 10 mph or less. These types of accidents are often called fender benders or minor accidents and may only result in minimal outward damage to the vehicles.

However, that doesn’t mean that low-impact accidents don’t cause serious injury to drivers and passengers. Even at slow speeds, the sudden deceleration of the vehicles can exert enough force to harm occupants.

For instance, whiplash is a cervical spine injury that can cause lasting pain and mobility issues. have shown that up to 60% of whiplash injuries happen at about 9.3 mph, where the impact severity of the crash is considered trivial.

Common Low Impact Car Crash Scenarios

Accidents with low impact can happen in a variety of everyday road situations in Michigan, especially in crowded cities or downtown areas. Some common scenarios include:

• Rear-end collisions at red lights or stop signs. These types of accidents occur when a driver is following too closely or is distracted and fails to stop in time. The sudden impact can cause the occupants to jerk forward and back.
• Sideswipe accidents when merging or changing lanes. When a driver fails to check their blind spot or doesn’t yield the right-of-way, they may side-swipe another vehicle, leading to a glancing blow-type collision.
• Parking lot dings and bumps. The confined spaces and slow-moving traffic in parking lots create the perfect conditions for low speed collisions, such as when a driver misjudges the distance between their car and another vehicle.
• Collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. Even at low speeds, a collision with a more vulnerable road user can result in serious injuries, especially if the pedestrian or cyclist is thrown from the point of impact.

Injuries in Low Impact Car Collisions

If you’re involved in a low impact collision, it can cause serious injuries. The most common bodily harm in minor car accidents includes:

• Whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries sustained in low speed collisions. This occurs when the sudden impact causes the head and neck to jerk rapidly back and forth, straining the soft tissues. Symptoms can include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and numbness or tingling in the arms.
• Concussions. Even a minor fender bender can lead to a concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury. The impact of your head against a window, steering wheel, or dashboard, even at low speeds, can slam your brain against the skull, leading to swelling, bruising, or long-term cognitive issues.
• Spinal cord injuries. Sudden deceleration from a crash can also lead to herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other spinal cord injuries. These low impact rear-end collision injuries can cause persistent back pain, sciatica, and paralysis in severe cases.
• Fractures. While less common, low speed collisions can still result in broken bones, particularly in the extremities like the hands, wrists, or feet. These injuries may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
• Soft tissue damage. Low impact accidents can also cause soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and contusions. While they may not be visible, they can be incredibly painful and debilitating, leading to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
• Psychological harm. Low-impact crashes can take a major emotional toll on those involved. Victims may suffer from mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a reduced quality of life because of their injuries.

Steps to Take After a Low Impact Crash

If you’ve been involved in a low impact car accident, you can protect your right to compensation by documenting your injuries and the crash’s effect on your life. Take the following steps, even if you believe the collision was minor:

• See a doctor. Get a comprehensive medical evaluation as soon as possible, whether you feel hurt or not. Some low impact car accident injuries, like whiplash or head trauma, may not show immediate symptoms but can worsen over time. Prompt medical attention protects your health and creates documentation of your injuries to support your personal injury claim.
• Report the accident. File an accident report with the police, even if the damage seems minor. This creates an official record of the accident and helps establish fault; it’s also required for any accident that results in bodily injury. Not reporting could be used by insurers to show your damages aren’t serious enough to warrant a claim.
• Notify your insurer. Report the collision to your insurance provider as soon as possible. This is necessary to file a claim for PIP benefits to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related costs, regardless of who was at fault. Provide all relevant details, including the date, location, and injuries or property damage. Consider engaging an attorney to handle these communications to avoid common mistakes when dealing with insurers.
• Collect evidence. Document the accident scene with photos and videos for visual evidence of what occurred. Gather witness contact information, including name, phone numbers, and statements if possible; your attorney can use their testimony to support your case.

Also, keep detailed records of your medical treatment, lost wages, and any other expenses related to the crash. This is crucial for demonstrating the extent of your injuries and the financial impact of the accident.

Should You Seek Legal Assistance After a Minor Crash?

While accepting the insurance company’s initial offer and moving on may be tempting, settling for a lowball offer could mean losing out on necessary compensation for long-term medical care or loss of future earnings.

Working with an experienced car accident attorney from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., ensures you understand your rights and what compensation you’re entitled to. We take the following actions to get you the highest possible recovery award, reflecting the full extent of your damages:

• Thorough accident investigation. We leave no stone unturned in gathering evidence to accurately demonstrate and calculate the actual cost of your injuries and their impact on your life. This includes economic damages like medical bills and lost earnings, as well as non-economic damages like anxiety, depression, or PTSD from the incident.
• Navigate modified comparative fault. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, our attorneys know how to navigate the state’s modified comparative negligence statutes to minimize your liability and ensure you recover the maximum damages allowed.
• Negotiate with insurance providers. We understand the tactics insurance companies often use to downplay low impact crashes and will fight tirelessly to negotiate a fair settlement that covers your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs.
• Medical expertise on your side. Partner Eileen Kroll, with her background in nursing, will meticulously analyze your medical records to ensure your claim accurately reflects the full extent of your injuries.
• Representation in court. If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we’ll take your case to court to secure the compensation you deserve.

Protect Your Rights After a Low Impact Collision

Don’t let a low impact car accident leave you struggling with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences. The experienced car accident lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case’s details and guide you on the best course of action. Get the help you need for a successful low impact car accident claim so you can focus on recovery.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-642-4529 and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.