Getting to the Bottom of Car Accident Myths

Mar 18, 2013

There are a variety of misconceptions regarding car accidents and the injuries that they cause, and in many cases, they are used in deciding insurance claims.

By understanding the facts regarding car accidents and exposing the myths, accident victims may be better able to advocate for themselves and speak confidently with law enforcement and insurance claims adjustors.

Is it true that if there are no immediate symptoms, there is no real whiplash?

No. While symptoms of whiplash injury may be immediately evident, in some cases they can manifest several days or even weeks later. This is true even with severe cases. Whiplash can occur even if x-rays and MRIs don’t indicate that the neck has experienced trauma.

I was told that women and men have an equal likelihood of experiencing a neck injury when in a car accident. Is that true?

A study conducted by Umea University of Sweden actually detected that women suffer from whiplash more frequently than men. This has been attributed to the difference in the way female vs. male drivers sit in a vehicle. Female drivers are more likely to be sitting vertical and closer to the steering wheel than male drivers.

Since little damage was done to my vehicle in a car accident, I shouldn’t have injuries, right?

There is no known correlation between vehicle damage and extent of injuries in an auto accident. While a vehicle may look like it has only been in a minor crash, extensive trauma can be experienced by the driver or passengers.

Is it just an urban legend that the most car accidents occur close to home?

No. Statistics have shown that most car accidents really do happen closer to home. It is thought that being overly familiar with the streets can cause drivers to miss certain traffic precautions, forgo wearing seatbelts, and not notice certain things like new traffic signals in their neighborhood.

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