Why Even a Fender Bender Can Cause Serious Injuries

When people talk about car crashes, I often hear, “It was just a fender bender. My neck was sore, but I wasn’t REALLY hurt.” Or were they? If someone is rear-ended at less than 10 mph, it’s easy to assume they couldn’t have been injured. But when you ask questions like: Was their head turned? Have they had a neck injury before? Was the other car larger? The chances of injury go up significantly. For example, if the driver’s head was turned more than 15 degrees, even a 5 mph crash can have serious consequences.

Speed Isn’t the Whole Story

When it comes to whiplash and other car accident injuries, speed is just one of many factors. For instance:

Women are twice as likely to be injured as men, and smaller-framed individuals are at even greater risk.
Previous neck injuries can worsen dramatically, making the old injury feel like a minor issue by comparison.
Age matters. A frail older person in the same crash as a younger one is much more likely to be injured. The condition of the spine and the ligaments plays a huge role in injury severity.

If you’ve been in a “fender bender” and there are risk factors like these, your chances of injury are much higher than you might think. Ignoring the signs could lead to chronic pain or even permanent damage.

In Utah, you have access to a great resource called Personal Injury Protection (P.I.P.), which is part of every car insurance policy and cannot be opted out of. P.I.P. covers medical expenses in case of injury. If you’ve been in a crash, it’s essential to get checked out, even if you think you’re fine.

​The next time you or someone you know is in a car accident, no matter how small, remember this: The damage may be more serious—and more permanent—than it seems. Don’t take chances with your health.