Minor Crash, No Injuries Evident at Scene. What to Do.

On December 7, two vehicles collided at the roundabout at E. Fifth Street and Fairview Drive in Carson City. Although there were no reported injuries at the crash, the vehicles did block traffic for some time, and officers were forced to temporarily perform traffic control. Motorists were advised to seek an alternate route until the area was cleared, around 4:55 p.m. [1]

Luckily, this crash was relatively minor and resulted in no injuries. However, because it was blocking traffic, it inconvenienced other drivers at commute time, when many individuals were making their way home from work. In a situation like this, where no one is injured, and the crash is relatively minor, many drivers may be unsure of the correct course of action. Should you call the police or try to work it out with the other driver? Should you place flares or reflective placards on the roadway to alert other drivers? Should you leave the cars where they are, or attempt to move them? (Consider the competing priorities of clearing the area safely and preserving the scene for law enforcement and civil liability purposes.)

Conventional wisdom provides that, if the car is drivable after a two-vehicle crash and no one is injured, you should attempt to move your car out of the way of other drivers. Moving your car out of the way keeps you safer from oncoming traffic and reduces roadway congestion overall. If you are on a major highway, you can move your vehicle to the shoulder. [2]

Once you are safely to the side of the road with your hazard lights blinking, remember a few simple steps to follow after any minor accident. Make sure to call 911 immediately. Even if no one is hurt, and the other driver is cooperating, it never hurts to call the police for a minor car accident. Police will make sure that the event is fully documented, creating a valuable record in case the other driver changes his or her story later on. Once you have notified the police of the incident, exchange information with the other driver, but don’t interact more than necessary. Take photos of the scene and gather witnesses who can attest to what happened if necessary. After the event, make sure to report the accident to the DMV as well. [3]

Sometimes, in the excitement and adrenaline rush of a car accident, an individual may not notice immediately the signs of injury. Other injuries emerge later, well after the individual has returned home. Whiplash, a common injury to the neck muscles resulting from the head being thrown back during an accident, sometimes takes days to manifest. Whiplash also isn’t visible on an x-ray, making it difficult to diagnose. [4]

Another injury that is common after a car accident is a concussion. A concussion occurs when a person is jolted so violently that their brain strikes the inside of their skull. Symptoms may not show up immediately but may include difficulty thinking or concentrating, headache, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, malaise, and abnormal sleep patterns. Concussions can be serious and can be a sign of more serious damage. [5]

It is a good idea to visit a doctor after any minor car accident, even if you don’t think you have suffered an injury. If you feel any amount of discomfort or pain, it’s a good idea to get checked out. Even if you don’t have any obvious injuries immediately, your doctor can advise you on how to monitor symptoms of potential injuries and give you red flags to watch out for. If you do end up making an injury claim later, it will be helpful to have documentation that you sought medical treatment soon after the accident. [6]

If you feel that you have been injured in a minor accident, consider contacting a personal injury attorney. An attorney can explain your rights and help you obtain the maximum amount for your claim. An attorney can also help guide you through the process if you end up in court or mediation. [7]

[1] https://carsonnow.org/story/12/07/2018/two-vehicle-accident-blocks-traffic-fairview-and-fifth

[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/should-i-move-my-car-after-an-accident…

[3] https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2018-07-03/7-steps-to-take-after-a-car-accident

[4] https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-if-my-accident-injuries-dont-show-up-right-away.html

[5] https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-if-my-accident-injuries-dont-show-up-right-away.html

[6] https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-if-my-accident-injuries-dont-show-up-right-away.html

[7] https://www.dmv.org/insurance/first-steps-following-a-personal-injury-auto-accident.php

Image Credit: BruceBlaus in Wikipedia Commons