Greene & Phillips: Property Damage vs. Injuries

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - After an accident, one of the first things people often look at is the damage to the vehicles. And if the cars don’t appear badly damaged, many assume no one could have been seriously hurt. But is that really true? David Greene from Greene & Phillips Injury Lawyers joined us to explain why vehicle damage doesn’t always tell the whole story.

The following questions and answers are provided by Greene & Phillips:

Is it common for people to assume that if the cars aren’t badly damaged, nobody could be injured?

Very common. We hear it all the time. People look at a bumper with a small dent or scratch and assume everyone walked away fine. The reality is that vehicle damage and physical injury don’t always go hand in hand.

Why is that?

Because your body absorbs force differently than your vehicle does. Modern vehicles are actually designed to absorb and distribute impact energy in ways that may reduce visible damage. But even in what appears to be a relatively minor collision, the occupants inside the vehicle can experience significant forces.

What kinds of injuries are common in those situations?

Neck injuries, back injuries, shoulder injuries, and soft tissue injuries are very common. We also see concussions and other injuries where symptoms don’t fully appear until hours or even days after the accident.

So just because someone feels okay immediately afterward doesn’t necessarily mean they’re uninjured?

Exactly. Adrenaline can mask pain immediately after a crash. We’ve seen many situations where someone felt fine at the scene, went home, and woke up the next day with significant pain or stiffness.

Do insurance companies sometimes focus on the amount of vehicle damage when evaluating a claim?

They can. That’s why it’s important to have proper medical documentation and evidence showing how the injury affected you. The focus should be on the person’s injuries and recovery, not simply on photographs of the vehicles.

What’s the biggest mistake people make after what they think is a minor accident?

Ignoring symptoms or waiting too long to seek medical treatment. If you’re hurting, get checked out. Your health should always come first. Waiting weeks to see a doctor can make both your recovery and your injury claim more difficult.

At Greene & Phillips, do you find that some clients are hesitant to call because they think their accident wasn’t serious enough?

Absolutely. People sometimes tell us, “The cars weren’t that damaged, so I didn’t think I should call.” But every accident is different. One thing we’re happy to do is answer questions and help people understand their options. There’s no obligation, and we’d rather someone get good information than make assumptions about their situation.

What’s the biggest takeaway you want viewers to remember?

Don’t judge an injury solely by looking at the vehicles. If you’ve been involved in an accident and you’re experiencing pain or symptoms, take it seriously, get medical attention, and don’t assume you know the full impact of the crash based on the damage you can see.

If someone has questions after an accident, how can they contact Greene & Phillips?

You can stop by our office at 51 North Florida Street anytime, no appointment needed. You can also call or text us at 251-300-2000, or visit GreenePhillips.com.