Minor “fender benders” are probably the most common instance that people experience. Small or low-speed crashes that don’t do much damage to the vehicle usually get brushed off by the drivers and insurance companies. Is it worth filing a full claim for a minor crash? Questions such as, “Can I even get compensation for a minor crash?” or, “Do I really need to make a formal report?” are common. It is possible to get compensation for minor injuries. Never accept when an insurance company announces that your crash wasn’t severe enough for a claim. It’s one of their many tactics to avoid making payouts on their policies. If you get into a car accident and sustain injuries, you should call an experienced car wreck attorney in Ohio.
What is “Bad Enough” to File a Claim?
“Bad enough” doesn’t actually mean anything because there’s no hard metric for an insurance company to decide. The insurance company may attempt to refuse coverage, which isn’t always an option that they have available to them. Now, if there are no injuries and no property damage, then you don’t have a claim. But, that doesn’t describe any car accident. In Ohio, if there is any damage, physical or mental, then you have a claim.
If your insurance company says that your crash wasn’t bad enough to file a claim, then you need an attorney. After talking to your insurance company, you need to call Ohio Car Accident Lawyers and speak with someone immediately. Your insurance company may be trying to avoid making any payment, and denying you coverage when you have an active policy is not right.
Understanding What a “Minor” Crash Means
Minor crashes happen all the time, and it’s clear when a crash is minor or more serious. If the accident was at low-speed and caused minimal damage to the vehicles, then you’ve had a minor crash. The issue that many people don’t comprehend, though, is that a minor crash is not without injuries.
You can have a minor crash and still sustain serious injuries such as TBI, whiplash, and spine damage. These injuries happen more often when the crash happened with a stopped vehicle. One car moving at 10 miles per hour and hitting a stopped car can lead to serious spinal damage, including nerve damage that can hinder that person for the rest of their life.
If this sounds like your crash or similar, then you need to take action against the at-fault driver. In Ohio, the person who caused the crash takes financial responsibility for injuries and property damage, as well as pain and suffering.
If your insurance company was less than helpful, then you need to move on to the next step in the process. Contact an attorney and provide them with all the information available, including your insurance policy information and the insurance info from the other driver. They can initiate your claim even when your insurance company argued that the crash was too minor to file anything.
Exercise Your Rights for a Pain and Suffering Claim
Pain and suffering are becoming more common after crashes, and it’s present in minor crash claims as well. When handling a pain and suffering claim, it’s vital that you evaluate options such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and more.
Even a minor crash can leave people afraid to drive or leave them, feeling that driving is unsafe. Therapy for PTSD and anxiety is often necessary after severe accidents, but it’s not always available to people after a minor crash. If you were in a minor crash in Ohio and found yourself unable to get into a vehicle because of the fear of another crash, then you need medical help for this issue.
Because every car crash is different, the pain and suffering claims act as an umbrella. Not only can pain and suffering includes mental trauma such as PTSD and anxiety, but it can also include other injuries and damages. Damages such as economic losses fit in here as well.
Set Up Your Consultation Today with a Car Wreck Attorney in Ohio
A car wreck attorney in Ohio might have more insight that your insurance company or friends. Never take someone’s word on the matter of getting the compensation that you need. After a crash, your insurance company, the other driver, or even your friends, might downplay your crash. They do this for a wide number of reasons, but the most common is to make it seem like your crash isn’t a big deal.
The fact is, your crash was a big deal. Even a minor crash can leave you with injuries, trauma, and property damage. It’s vital that you get the compensation that you deserve after any crash, and that includes minor instances.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call our office today. An experienced car wreck attorney in Ohio can get you the compensation you deserve.