Do I Still Have a Case Even if There Was No Damage to My Car?
Suppose another vehicle had hit your car on the road but caused no visible damage.
It makes you wonder if you should forget about the minor incident or treat it as a possible legal case?
A reasonable auto accident attorney in Burbank will reveal some points worth remembering in such a situation. It helps you avoid unexpected costs and hassles that minor road accidents can cause.
Why Treat an Accident a Legal Case Even If Your Car Has No Damage
There are cases when a minor accident causes no visible damage to a vehicle. However, the slight impact may inflict problems to your car and some hidden injuries to you.
Hidden Damages a Car May Sustain from a Minor Accident
A minor impact can affect a lot of a vehicle’s delicate parts and inflict damages like:
- Transmission and suspension problems
- Damage car fluid containers and cause leaks
- Knock off car alignment
- Disrupt car electrical system
- Shaking the battery and shortening its lifespan
These problems can cost anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars to fix. And claiming compensation from the other driver can help you with repair costs.
Hidden Injuries You May Get from a Minor Car Accident
The light impact from a minor car accident may also inflict critical injuries to you like:
- Whiplash injuries
- Herniated disc
- Sprains and strains
- Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD
Some of these injuries don’t show symptoms immediately but demand significant treatment expenses. That makes it critical to collect details from the other driver for you to use when filing a claim.
What to Do if Your Car Suffers No Visible Damage in an Accident
You now know why you have a legal case, even if your car has no visible damage after an accident. Here are the critical steps to follow if you end up in that situation.
1. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
The law requires both the involved drivers to swap insurance details. It makes it easier to file compensation claims directly to the other driver’s insurance carrier to cover injuries and damages.
Drivers must also exchange name, address, contact, and car information.
2. Gather Vital Information from the Accident
Take note of vital accident-related information like:
- Time and date
- Location
- Thorough descriptions of the incident
- Car’s computer diagnostic notifications such as check engine alert
- Other vehicle description
These details help if you need to file a case or if the other driver takes legal action against you.
3. Report to Your Insurance Carrier
Report to your car insurance provider about the accident regardless of how minor it is. It helps you avoid penalties or possibly losing your license.
The only exception is when the accident happens on your property, like your car bumping the gate or mailbox.
Moreover, it must not involve other vehicles like a visitor’s car in your home. And you must be able to shoulder the car repair expenses with out-of-pocket cash.
4. Have Your Car Checked by a Mechanic
Take your car to a mechanic for a check-up too.
It helps ensure your car sustains no hidden damages. Your mechanic can also make timely repairs if they detect some problems.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Set an appointment with a doctor immediately after the accident, even if you don’t feel any pain. It helps you directly detect hidden problems like soft tissue injuries.
Keep all medical reports from your physician to support a possible case too.
Call a Burbank Auto Accident Lawyer for Any Car Accident Case
Remember the points above if you are involved in a minor car accident. These can help you address hidden injuries and car damages right after the accident. And these can support you when claiming compensations too.
Consult a reliable auto accident attorney in Burbank for better advice befitting your case.