If you were in what felt like a minor fender bender, others might be wondering whether you are really hurt. Many people assume that if the cars did not have much damage and the police report calls it minor, then any pain or strange symptoms must be something else. That assumption can be dangerous.

At Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys, we see this situation regularly. A client comes in after a low-speed rear-end collision, often 10 to 15 miles per hour, and tells us they are not feeling right. They may have headaches that will not go away, trouble concentrating, memory lapses, dizziness, or neck pain that radiates into their shoulders and arms. The insurance company has already called or sent a letter suggesting the claim is not worth much because there was only a few hundred dollars in property damage. That response is common, and it is almost always inappropriate.

How the Brain Can Be Injured Without a Direct Blow to the Head

The brain sits inside the skull surrounded by fluid. When your car is struck from behind, your head and neck snap forward and then backward in a whipping motion. That sudden acceleration and deceleration can cause the brain to move inside the skull even if your head never hits anything. This is often called a coup-contrecoup injury. The brain can bruise or stretch on one side and then rebound and bruise on the opposite side.

If you have had previous concussions or other brain injuries, the threshold for another injury drops. Each prior event makes the brain more vulnerable. The next impact does not need to be as strong to cause problems, and the symptoms are often more significant and take longer to resolve. We see this pattern frequently in our practice. A person who seemed to recover from an earlier concussion years ago suddenly finds that a relatively small crash leaves them struggling with focus, word-finding, balance, or emotional regulation.

These injuries are real even when they are invisible on a standard CT scan or MRI in the early days. That is why we often involve neurologists and neuropsychologists who perform detailed testing. The testing measures memory, attention, processing speed, language, and coordination. When the results show clear changes from what would be expected for that person, it creates a foundation for the claim that goes far beyond what the insurance adjuster sees in photos of dented bumpers.

Neck and Spinal Injuries in Low-Speed Crashes

The same forces that affect the brain can damage the neck and upper spine. Many Oregonians already have some natural wear and tear in their necks from years of work, sports, or simply aging. A sudden whiplash movement can turn a small fissure or early disc problem into a symptomatic herniation or nerve compression. What the insurance company calls “preexisting” may have been completely asymptomatic until the crash. However, Oregon law still allows folks to be compensated when they find themselves in that situation.

We regularly work with neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine specialists who review imaging and help us show the difference between old changes and new trauma. Imaging taken soon after the crash, combined with a careful review of your medical history, often tells the real story. Insurance companies like to argue that low property damage means low injury. That argument ignores basic physics and medicine. The human body does not always follow the same rules as metal and plastic, especially when the victim is aged or has prior injuries.

Why Insurance Companies Focus on Property Damage

Adjusters are trained to look at repair estimates and photos. When they see only a few hundred dollars in damage, they often conclude the impact could not have been serious. They may offer a quick, low settlement and pressure you to sign a release. They may also suggest that any ongoing symptoms are from stress, aging, or something unrelated.

This approach can leave you paying for medical care out of pocket while you try to recover. It can also mean lost wages that are never replaced and a future that feels uncertain. That is why we step in early. We make sure the medical records tell the full story and that every specialist who needs to be involved has the chance to evaluate you. We also handle all communication with the insurance company so you can focus on healing.

What You Should Do If You Were in a Low-Speed Crash

Even if you feel mostly okay in the first day or two, pay attention to how you are really doing. Headaches that worsen, sensitivity to light or noise, trouble sleeping, irritability, difficulty remembering things, or a sense that your thinking is slower than usual are all worth checking. Neck stiffness that does not improve, pain that shoots into your arms or hands, or numbness and tingling should also be evaluated promptly.

See a doctor who understands these injuries. Tell them exactly what happened and how you have been feeling since the crash. Keep notes about your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse. These records become important later.

Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney. What seems like a simple conversation can be used later to limit your claim, especially when they try to use words or legal concepts that you may not fully comprehend. You have the right to have someone on your side who understands how these cases work.

How We Help Clients in These Situations

When you come to Dwyer Williams Cherkoss, we listen to your full story. We arrange for the right medical evaluations, including neurological exams, imaging when needed, and neuropsychological testing when brain function is in question. We work with neurosurgeons and orthopedists to connect the crash to your injuries in a way that insurance companies cannot easily dismiss. While we don’t make stuff up, we have the knowledge and experience to uncover facts and clues that others might miss - or in the case of insurance companies, totally ignore or misrepresent.

These cases require attention to detail and an understanding of both medicine and the law. We coordinate the pieces so your claim reflects the real impact on your life, not just what shows up in a repair estimate. Our goal is always the same: to make sure you get the care you need and the compensation that covers your medical bills, lost income, and the ways this injury has changed your daily life.

You should not have to fight the insurance company alone while you are trying to recover. That is what we do for our clients every day all across Oregon.

If you were in a crash and you are still dealing with symptoms that do not make sense for a “minor” accident, reach out. We offer free consultations, and there is never a fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today. We are ready to both listen and help.