Chattanooga Personal Injury Attorneys

Can A Fender Bender Hurt You? Absolutely!

Can A Fender Bender Hurt You? Absolutely!

After the shock of the collision wears off, you may not hurt much.  Then, in the next day or two, you notice your neck feels stiff and painful.  You wonder if you have whiplash. This leaves many people wondering, “can a fender bender hurt you?”. The answer is, yes, absolutely.

Low speeds still can mean high damage

Even collisions that happen at low speeds damage your muscles, tendon, ligaments and bones by subjecting them to forces they can’t withstand.  According to the Spine Research Institute, more than half of car accident injuries occur at speeds of 12 mph or less.  That may not sound like much, but it’s enough to stretch and tear your ligaments, tendons and muscles or throw your spine out of alignment.

You may not feel anything at the time of your accident because the fear, anger, or shock of being hit or hitting something else floods your body with pain-numbing adrenaline and other endorphins.  Once the endorphins wear off a few days later, the pain sets in.

Feeling fine isn’t necessarily a good sign

Many physicians recommend that you and anyone else involved in a fender bender or other car crash get immediate medical care to determine if your spine or supporting tissues have been injured.  While contusions and cuts are obvious signs of injuries, internal injuries may not have external manifestations and therefore are easy to ignore.

Even during a fender bender, your head may be thrown forward (hyperextended) or thrown to side to side.  Whiplash is actually a sprain or strain of the ligaments, tendons and muscles that support your cervical spine in your neck.  If you noticed any movement of your head during your crash, get evaluated right away.

Airbags can hurt while saving your life

Airbags aren’t filled with air, but with nitrogen gas that explodes into action on impact, even at speeds as low as 10 to 15 mph.  Airbags are designed to save your life by stopping you from hitting the dashboard or going through the window during a collision.  But they can hurt you.

When an airbag deploys, it may hit you with a force of about 144 mph.  That’s a lot of pressure and stress for your neck, face, side and chest to withstand if your airbags deployed during your collision.  You should seek immediate medical care if your airbags deploy.

Seatbelts can cause trauma

Like airbags, seat belts save lives.  You should always wear a seatbelt.  But when your body is thrown against a seatbelt, you may suffer bruising, shoulder and back sprain and strain.  These injuries can cause significant pain and disability within a few days of the collision.

Small injuries add up

The collection of injuries to your spine, soft tissues and even organs that car collisions can cause create a substantial amount of pain over time.  If you ignore the warning signs of injury and don’t get a medical evaluation, you risk re-injuring yourself and even creating permanent damage.

Even when you don’t see signs of injury and don’t feel pain at first, you may begin to notice changes in your body and behavior after your fender bender.  These subtle changes could be signs of a serious spinal or internal injury that could result in permanent injury or a chronic pain condition.

Be sure to seek medical attention of you experience any of the following after an accident:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal pain
  • Limb weakness or numbness
  • Stiff muscles
  • Sore or stiff back or neck
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Vision problems
  • Urinary problems or bleeding

If you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact us at Dennis & Winningham Law at 423-413-2332.  Even if you don’t have health insurance, funds for medical care or a primary care doctor, we will help you get the medical care you need.

By |2022-03-14T19:44:31-04:00June 29th, 2021|Accidents|Comments Off on Can A Fender Bender Hurt You? Absolutely!
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In almost all personal injury claims, insurance companies will offer you significantly less than what you deserve. It’s tempting to accept the first offer, especially if you are in a great deal of pain and unable to return to work. But if you’ve already taken a devalued settlement from the insurance company and your medical bills start to pile up, there’s little legal recourse to ask for more. That’s why it’s crucial to involve a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer before you even file a claim.

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Chattanooga car accident lawyers Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham have recovered millions of dollars in Georgia and Tennessee for car and motor vehicle accident victims like you.  If you or a loved one has been injured and need help with your medical bills, then you have come to the right place.   Auto accident victims and their family members in East Tennessee and North Georgia can confidently rely on the experienced auto accident attorneys at Dennis & Winningham Law. We are the law firm that has compassionately, yet effectively, helped victims and their loved ones navigate the aftermath of difficult situations.

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Truck accidents in the United States are on the rise. Recent statistics show that almost 150,000 people are injured in truck accidents each year, and 6,000 people are killed. The regional area of Georgia and Tennessee is a crossroads and a center for car manufacturing, river traffic, and other industries. Large trucks, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles are constantly on the road. This has a downside as frequent truck accidents occur on I-75, I-24, I-59, Highway 153, U.S. 27, Amnicola Highway, Corridor J, and other roadways. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Georgia or Tennessee truck accident, you may be eligible for substantial compensation.

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Experienced Chattanooga motorcycle accident lawyers Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham are avid fans of motorcycles, but they also realize how serious motorcycle accidents can be. With over 75 years of combined experience, Dennis & Winningham Law Injury Law knows the legal process to achieve fair compensation for motorcycle crash victims. Contact one of our lawyers today to learn more about how to start your motorcycle accident claim.

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One of three factors usually cause boat accidents: an inexperienced boater, an intoxicated operator, or a boat malfunction. More than a third of both fatal and non-fatal boat accidents are alcohol-related. It is estimated that boat operators with a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher are 10 times more likely to be injured or killed in a boat accident than sober operators.

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No one ever expects a family member or friend to be the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home. However, abuse and neglect do occur every day and in many ways.

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Premises liability is a vital facet of personal injury law, placing responsibility on property owners for maintaining a safe environment. When accidents occur due to negligence or hazardous conditions on someone’s property, victims have the right to seek compensation. This encompasses incidents like slip and falls or inadequate security leading to assaults. Dennis & Winningham Law excel in handling these complex cases, tirelessly pursuing justice for our clients.

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