In this latest opinion piece in Road Safety GB, Steven Akerman from Brian Barr Solicitors, provides food for thought as to how even ‘minor’ collisions can have catastrophic consequences for those suffering injuries.
We can all understand the need not to speed and to drive carefully from the perspective of collisions at high speeds. We can all understand the danger of being engaged in texting or on one’s mobile device generally, as it relates to causing a serious collision. However, there can sometimes be scepticism around low impact and thankfully, ‘minor’ collisions where it seems like everything will be fine.
What do I mean by ‘minor’ collision? I am referring to those collisions where initially, both the collision itself and the injuries sustained, seem relatively straightforward. There is some damage to the car, say to the bumper, and some cosmetic damage that is easily repaired. Those involved seem fortunate enough to be suffering from nothing but a relatively modest whiplash injury, which should resolve itself within a few months to a year. Perhaps a couple of days off work is needed. Perhaps some physiotherapy. However, it is nothing more than an inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
To be certain, no one advocates that these collisions are no big deal, but when it comes to discussing road safety, the focus (understandably) is on the very severe collisions and catastrophic injuries involving paralysis, brain injury and death.
However, I believe there is also room to focus, to a degree, on the other end of the spectrum. As a solicitor dealing with patients suffering with chronic pain or subtle brain injuries, I see firsthand how ‘minor’ collisions can have catastrophic effects on the lives of those involved. Seemingly innocuous injuries can develop into extremely debilitating and life changing conditions.
An individual can initially suffer from a whiplash injury from a crash that occurred, at say 10-15mph,, and expect to make a full recovery.
However, I have experience of cases where not only can a person not recover, but such a collision can also lead to the development of a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia.
This condition affects all aspects of one’s life. Symptoms include widespread pain accompanied by fatigue, as well as memory and mood issues.
Indeed, I had a client who initially suffered from a whiplash injury. However, over the intervening months and years, the pain became more widespread and radiated from the back into the neck, hip, spine, and legs along with severe headaches and disrupted sleep.
This led to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The condition significantly impacted both the individuals professional and personal life – my client had to reduce their working hours and family had to provide ongoing care and assistance with everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning. My client also had a hobby that they were looking to develop into a self-employed business, which was now looking more and more unlikely.
A life turned completely upside down by a ‘minor’ collision.
This is but one of many cases I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Lives are irrevocably damaged as a result of what some perceive as a ‘minor’ collision.
We should be mindful of the fact that collisions at all speeds and types can have serious and life changing consequences down the line. It is never ‘safe’ to pay a little less attention or to glance at a mobile or simply not to concentrate on anything but the road and those around you. Doing so can have catastrophic consequences.
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