What Does The Insurance Company Consider A Minor Accident?

Yes and no. Car accidents do not occur in a single mold. Each crash is shaped by speed, vehicle weight, point of impact, weather conditions, and human response. There are similarities. To better understand the range of outcomes, it is helpful to think of accident severity along a spectrum.

At the low end of the spectrum are Baltimore’s “fender benders”. These typically occur at low speeds—often under 10 miles per hour—in parking lots, stop-and-go traffic, or at intersections where one vehicle fails to stop in time. Modern Bumpers don’t bend. The dynamics here are simple: because kinetic energy is proportional to the square of speed, the low velocity means relatively little energy is transferred. The insurance company will try to convince you, me, judges and jurors that the damage is always cosmetic, such as scratches, dents, or broken headlights. Injuries, which are impossible, but, if they occur, are often soft-tissue strains like whiplash.

Baltimore Trial Lawyer Tip: Despite their reputation as “minor,” even these incidents can cause lasting discomfort if medical attention is neglected.

Remember who want to set the tone. While commonly accepted “moderate” accidents happen at higher speeds—often between 20 and 40 miles per hour—and involve a more forceful exchange of energy, the label is misleading. Vehicle occupants may suffer broken bones, concussions, or significant sprains. These accidents often require emergency evaluation and can lead to extended recovery periods. Common examples include side-impact crashes at intersections or rear-end accidents on urban streets. The dynamics involve greater momentum transfer and sometimes intrusion into the passenger cabin. Repair costs are also much higher than in fender benders, as structural elements of the car, such as bumpers, axles, or crumple zones, may be compromised.

As speeds increase or multiple vehicles are involved, accidents become serious. These crashes often occur on highways, where vehicles travel 50 miles per hour or more.

Baltimore Trial Lawyer Tip: There is no accepted “minimum speed” below which a person cannot be injured. An insurance lawyer will argue otherwise.

The dynamics involve enormous kinetic energy and complex collision angles. A rollover crash, for instance, redistributes energy repeatedly as the vehicle tumbles, amplifying injury risk. Occupants may experience traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or internal bleeding. Vehicles in this category are often declared total losses because the frame or safety systems have been critically compromised. Medical intervention is urgent, and long-term impairment is common.

Severe accidents occur when vehicles collide at very high speeds, involve large disparities in vehicle size (such as a car struck by a tractor-trailer), or include secondary hazards like fire or hazardous materials. The dynamics here often overwhelm modern safety features. Seatbelts and airbags reduce risk, but the sheer force involved can cause multiple traumatic injuries simultaneously. Survivors may face amputations, paralysis, or permanent disfigurement. These cases typically demand intensive medical care, long rehabilitation, and, in legal terms, often involve substantial claims for damages due to permanent impairment and loss of income.

At the far end of the spectrum are catastrophic collisions. These are often multi-vehicle pileups, high-speed head-on crashes, or incidents involving pedestrians and motorcycles where protective barriers are minimal. The dynamics involve extreme energy transfer that exceeds the body’s ability to withstand impact. Fatalities are unfortunately common. For survivors, catastrophic accidents frequently result in life-altering injuries requiring lifelong medical support. Beyond the personal toll, these crashes can have community-wide consequences, shutting down major highways or sparking widespread legal and insurance battles.