Many people think that slow-speed crashes under 10 mph won’t harm the neck and spine. However, research shows this is not true. Victims who survive a crash unscathed will frequently experience severe symptoms after several days following the incident. The time difference between injury and symptom appearance creates challenges for medical evaluations and legal compensation procedures. At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we have seen that whiplash injuries and others often go undetected. As a result, they receive inadequate compensation. Biomechanical experts provide vital information which helps prove injury claims and secures proper compensation for victims. We fight to get you paid!
Why Is It So Difficult to Prove Whiplash and Other Hidden Injuries?
The lack of X-ray detectable damage makes it hard to prove whiplash and soft tissue injuries. These injuries do not show visible signs on standard imaging tests. Individuals may not experience pain initially. However, they may later develop chronic neck pain, headaches, cognitive dysfunction, dizziness, and sleep disturbances. The Spine Research Institute of San Diego found something important. They discovered that 45% of people with whiplash still have symptoms six months or more after their injuries. The extended symptoms can both reduce your daily life quality and reduce your ability to earn money.
The insurance companies and defense attorneys use vehicle damage severity as a basis to argue against injury likelihood. This widespread misconception drives insurance companies to reject valid claims while offering minimal payment settlements to claimants. The process of proving actual painful injuries from a “minor” crash becomes extremely difficult for victims.
What Is the Role of Biomechanical Experts in Their Profession?
The combination of engineering principles, physics, and human anatomy helps biomechanical experts understand how crash forces affect the human body. The evaluation of injury potential from crash forces relies on accident reconstruction techniques alongside computer simulations and crash test data and mathematical modeling methods.
Biomechanical experts offer impartial scientific evidence to explain injury mechanisms within legal proceedings. Research shows that a rear-end collision, even at a speed of just 6 mph, can produce significant force. This force is sufficient to injure the cervical spine. As a result, it can lead to whiplash. The expert testimony links medical records with physical forces to increase the credibility of your injury claim.
Why Does the Insurance Industry Usually Reject Claims from Minor Auto Collisions?
The insurance industry uses visible car damage as its primary method to determine potential injuries. Modern vehicle bumpers show no signs of damage during low-speed collisions below 15 mph. Unfortunately, the human body lacks such resilience. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that serious injuries can happen in rear-end collisions. This is true even when vehicles are moving at speeds as low as 5 mph.
The gap between what people perceive and what experts know leads to doubts. This often makes insurance companies more aggressive in denying claims. Expert testimony along with biomechanical validation is essential to prevent victims from accepting minimum settlements or dropping their cases.
How Can Biomechanical Analysis Enhance Your Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The quantitative relationship between crash dynamics and bodily harm is established through biomechanical expert analysis. Their reports may include:
- Speed change calculations (Delta-V)
- Vehicle stiffness and occupant kinematics
- Human tolerance thresholds for injury
- Comparison to peer-reviewed crash test data
When a medical diagnosis matches biomechanical data, it strengthens your case. For example, conditions like whiplash, disc herniation, and soft tissue strain are significant. Insurers struggle to deny the connection between your injuries and the accident in such cases.
A biomechanical professional’s expert testimony often holds substantial influence on juries during court proceedings. The introduction of objective evidence makes it possible to assess subjective injuries.
How Do Biomechanical Experts Help in Multi-Vehicle Pileups and Chain-Reaction Collisions?
Absolutely. Complex collision scenarios make it harder to identify which impact produced each occupant’s injuries. The analysis requires experts to determine which impacts resulted in specific injuries within multiple rear-end collisions.
A biomechanical expert can analyze force directions, seating positions, and impact sequences. This helps identify when injuries occurred during the crash. This analysis proves beneficial when determining liability in situations where blame needs to be allocated.
What Role Do Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care Play in Recovery?
Soft tissue injuries demand immediate and ongoing therapeutic care. Physical therapists create personalized rehabilitation strategies that enhance your strength along with flexibility and posture. Regular therapeutic treatment prevents future complications and shows your commitment to healing. This dedication can strengthen your legal case.
The primary specialty of chiropractors includes spinal alignment maintenance together with nervous system wellness. Their treatment methods bring relief from pain and decrease inflammation while also boosting patient mobility. The combination of these two treatment methods gives the most beneficial outcomes to victims of accidents.
The insurance companies pay attention to both regular medical treatment and documented improvement of the patient’s condition. Your injury receives verification because your treatment demonstrates the seriousness of your condition.
Are There Florida Statutes That Support Injury Claims from Low-Impact Accidents?
Yes. Florida Statutes §76.041 defines comparative negligence. This legal principle allows victims to receive compensation, even if they share some responsibility for the accident.
Under Florida Statute §627.736 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides medical benefits to all drivers without requiring fault determination. Medical treatment after an accident must start within fourteen days to meet the requirements for qualification. The early evaluation serves as a crucial step.
The legal system recognizes the validity of medical claims arising from soft tissue injuries. In the case of Truong v. Nguyen, 221 So. 3d 1175 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017), the court accepted expert medical evidence. This evidence demonstrated the link between low-impact vehicle collisions and whiplash injuries.
What Steps Should I Take After Experiencing a Low-Impact Vehicle Collision?
- Immediate medical examination is required because delayed care will harm both your medical condition and your legal position.
- Document everything – Keep photos, medical records, accident reports, and receipts.
- Choose an attorney who specializes in personal injuries and works with biomechanical experts.
- Follow treatment protocols – Physical therapy or chiropractic care adherence demonstrates patient consistency.
You should never accept a settlement from an insurer that downplays your injuries. They may not offer you fair compensation.
How Has Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys Helped Clients in Similar Situations?
The attorneys at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in compensation. They specialize in helping car crash victims who may have hidden injuries. Our legal team collaborates with biomechanical engineers, doctors, and rehabilitation specialists to create strong cases.
The insurance industry employs specific tactics to reject valid claims in both basic car accidents and multi-vehicle accidents. Our mission is simple: We fight to get you paid!
Recommended Reading
- Whiplash and Biomechanics Research – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (PDF)
- A Dissection of Auto Accident Injuries: PTSD
- A Dissection of Auto Accident Injuries: Spinal Cord Injury
- A Dissection of Traumatic Brain injury
- A Look at the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries
- Accident with state owned vehicle: Can I sue?
