Minor car accident injuries are not subject to a single definition. Rather, what constitutes a minor car accident injury is defined by the judge, jury or prior cases litigated in your area. Below is an explanation of the most common definitions of a minor car accident injury.
The Amount of Property Damage
Oddly enough, sometimes the amount of property damage is looked to as an indication of whether a car accident was minor and, if so, it could have caused the claimed injury. Minor car accidents often cause small amounts of property damage. Small amounts of property damage indicate that the potential for personal injury was slight. As such, the injury claimed must be rather insignificant.
The Type of Injury
It is usually not difficult for courts and juries, as well as insurance companies, to identify whether an injury is minor. Bruises, a broken bone or lacerations are commonly considered minor because serious car accidents can include permanent damage, limb loss and even death. Injuries that do not significantly impair an individual’s ability to perform normal, daily functions are minor.
Comparison with Major Injuries
One of the most common ways of determining whether an injury is minor is by comparing it with what is considered significant in the area. A rollover accident in the middle of a rural area may be unusual, but this same accident in a high traffic area may be quite common. The type of accident in the where it occurred and the injuries it causes can determine whether or not an injury is minor.
The Amount of Medical Bills
Injuries that require little to no medical care, thereby not creating large medical bills, are typically minor. There is no magical number assigned to injuries that once surpassed constitutes a major injury. Small medical bills indicate a minor injury.
However, do not overlook the fact that sometimes major injuries cost very little money for treatment merely because the treatment method is simple or commonly done. In this situation, the injury may be major even though the medical bills would not indicate such.
The Injured Party’s Recovery
If the injured party’s recovery was relatively quick, painless and complete, chances are that the injury was minor. Major injuries often require more treatment time and methods and sometimes an injured party will never fully recover.
Obtaining Legal Advice
If you have been involved in a car accident and wonder whether your injuries are major or minor, seek legal advice. An attorney will review the facts of your case and your injury and discuss the potential views of your injury by an insurance company or court.
