What is the definition of a minor accident? Many people don’t know that there are two significant types of accidents – major and minor. If you have been in a car crash, it is vital to know the type. This is because the nature of your crash is what ought to inform your consequent actions. Furthermore, it also affects your claim.

Major or minor, a car accident is always a terrible experience. It would be best to have the help of an experienced Maryland car accident attorney. An excellent lawyer can advise you on what to do after the collision and help you file your claim.

What Is a Minor Accident?

There is no clear definition of a minor accident. However, we can define the phrase from the meaning of both words. Therefore, an accident is minor if it is less important, serious, or significant in its effects. This definition implies that the damage to victims and their property determines an accident’s significance or otherwise.

How To Distinguish a Minor Accident From a Serious Accident

The distinction between these two types of accidents can be challenging. However, there are three factors you can consider to determine whether you were in a severe or minor accident. The distinction between the two lies in how severe these three factors are. They include:

• Personal Injury

It’s best to always expect some form of personal injuries in all car accidents. However, it is possible to escape a minor vehicular collision without even a scratch. If you sustain any injuries at all, they would be neither severe nor life-threatening, as with significant accidents. Furthermore, your wounds will be less likely to require that you be admitted to the hospital.

Some injuries you should expect in a minor auto accident include:

• Concussion
• Bruises and scratches
• Broken bones
• Strained muscles and ligaments
• Body pains
• Joint dislocations

Serious accidents, on the other hand, will cause more significant personal injuries. For instance, you may suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or suffer spinal cord injuries.

• Vehicle Damage

Minor car accidents often cause little damage to the vehicles involved. The damage is often so insignificant that it doesn’t affect the normal operations of the car. It could be a broken side mirror or bashed bumper. We’re confident that it would be nothing that can cause the car to pack up.

On the other hand, a major accident will leave your car with significant damage, sometimes irreparable. You may even have to tow the vehicle away from the crash scene, and in these cases, the car’s value will reduce significantly.

• Financial Loss

Just as with injuries, most accidents cause one or more of the involved parties financial losses. Financial losses primarily result from medical treatments and vehicle repairs. How much money you lose can be a pointer to your accident type.

If it were a minor accident, you wouldn’t have to pay much to treat your injuries, and the cost of repairing your car will also be low. This isn’t the same for severe accidents requiring extensive and costly medical bills and vehicular repairs or even replacement.

Examples of Minor Auto Accidents

Below we outline some prevalent minor auto accidents:

• Small fender benders
• Broken headlight/taillight
• Damaged tires
• Side dents on the vehicle
• Cracked windshields, windows, or other car glasses

Do I Have To Report a Minor Accident in Maryland?

You must be wondering whether you have to report a minor accident to the authorities if you’re ever in one. Maryland Code 20-107 contains provisions on accident reporting. This law requires drivers who have been in a car accident that results in death or bodily injury to file a written report of the accident within 15 days.

The drivers may not have to file an accident report where:

• The accident has been investigated by a police officer who then files a report, or
• The driver is physically incapable of making the report

So, it is clear that if your minor accident didn’t cause bodily injury to anyone, you don’t have to report it. However, it would be best to report the minor accident even if you don’t have to. This is primarily because the report can aid your compensation claim.

You Can Recover Compensation for Minor Accidents

Even if your accident wasn’t severe, you could still recover damages for any injuries and property loss you suffered. If you want to recover compensation from the at-fault driver, it would be best to engage the services of a Maryland car accident lawyer.

At Pinder Plotkin, our attorneys have dedicated their practice years to getting compensation for victims of Maryland accidents. If you hire us, you can rest assured that we will get you the maximum compensation. Call us today for a FREE consultation.