Not long ago, I received a call from an attorney needing documentation of damages on a car that had been injured in a rear-end impact.  The amount of damage written and presented as an offer of settlement by the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster was meager – slightly more than $100 – yet the driver and passenger complained of significant neck and back injuries that were confirmed by medical testing. 

Although only a minor scratch was visible on the rear bumper cover during a visual inspection, a more thorough analysis of this late-model car revealed that energy traveled more than forty inches from the point of impact through the frame rails and rear floor panels, almost to the rear seat! 

The car was hit low, not high, and the damage was conspicuously hidden beneath the carpet, under the upholstery on the rear body panel, and even in the spare wheel well.  Yet, surprisingly, the gaps between the sheetmetal panels appeared to be undisturbed to the naked eye.  Viewing the top surfaces and outer panel alignment, most folks would agree that the car suffered a minor bump, certainly nothing major.  But, this car’s undercarriage had suffered serious trauma.  So too, had its occupants. 

It is not uncommon to find damage a great distance away from the primary point of impact on unibody cars.  The reason for this is that these cars are designed to fold sacrificially to dissipate energy, thereby giving occupants the best chance of survival in a severe crash.

We were advised a few weeks later by the law firm that retained us that our documentation and reporting on this particular auto was compelling enough to cause the insurer to total out the vehicle and pay the occupants a significant sum for settlement of their personal injuries.  This was another job well done!

Factual reporting of all damages pertaining to an injured auto helps lawyers substantiate their client’s complaints of personal injury.  Let’s face it, it’s easier to prove personal injuries when there are thousands of dollars of damage as opposed to a few hundred dollars of damage to an auto.  Not surprising, the more damages we find during our investigation, the more likely it is that the insurer’s offer of settlement will grow. 

If you are a personal injury attorney and getting the most for your client is a priority for you, give us a call and put us to work on your team.  The few hundred dollars that you pay for our services will likely net you and your clients thousands of dollars that you probably would not have known you had coming. 

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

content & design 2002-2008 David Williams and SafeCollisionRepairs.com

About Safe Collision Repairs

For more than ten years, David Williams of Wheelersburg, Ohio's Safe Collision Repairs has worked with consumers and attorneys in the tri-states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia to expose unsafe auto repairs and maximize recovery on auto insurance claims. Some of the company's services include Post-Repair Inspections, Prepurchase Inspections, Auto Damage Assessments, Lemon Law Investigations, Expert Court Testimony and Diminished Value Calculations using an advanced version of Network Information Communication's WreckCheck program.

Inquiries can be directed to: Safe Collision Repairs David A. Williams Post Office Box 70 Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694 (740) 456-1111 (740) 355-4056

Disclaimer

The content expressed on this website and in the article above represents the opinions of David A. Williams. Williams is neither an attorney nor public insurance adjuster, but is an expert, consultant, and writer specializing in the field of automotive collision repair and valuations. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Because collision repair is a continually evolving science, any text, materials or links found herein are provided without claim or guarantee to their accuracy or completeness.