Car accidents are known to cause a variety of injuries, and this is to be expected considering the sheer force that tends to be associated with collisions and the damage that the said force can do to the human body. Sometimes, extended courses of medical treatment are required that may involve physical therapy. Even then, there may never be a full recovery.
One of the more incognito injury types is that of soft tissue injuries, and this is because they can't be seen. This may lead people to believe that they're not very dangerous, but this could not be further from the truth considering they can cause challenges for many years to come if they are not treated effectively.
Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries
These kinds of injuries are characterized by strains and sprains of fat, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other similar tissue types in the body. Detection and diagnosis are not very straightforward, even when using imagery technology such as an MRI. Even so, they may be causing excruciating pain.
What Do Symptoms of Soft Tissue Damage Look Like?
Unlike the site of the injury itself, common soft tissue injuries will usually present symptoms that are easy to identify. Bear in mind that they do not always present themselves immediately. In some cases, it could be days after the accident that any symptom begins to take effect. Some of the common ones are as follows:
Back pain
Discoloration
Swelling
Joint pain whenever weight is introduced
Swelling
Inflammation
Sharp neck pain
Bear in mind that injured parties are reminded to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not doing so can make it easier for the negligent party to use the "the accident is not what caused the injury" defense.
Typical Soft Tissue Injury Types
Lacerations
These are gashes or cuts in the skin that may happen after an accident. Typically, sharp objects or shattered glass will be the reason for this because of the high speed at which they can collide with the skin. These introduce the possibility of internally severe injuries, which means that medical care is non-negotiable.
Whiplash Injury
Many car accidents will cause whiplash accidents to those involved. As the name implies, the head will quickly snap forward in a whip-like motion. Physical pain might be a part of the equation here, as is the potential for cognitive impairment. Some whiplash injuries can even cause death if left untreated.
Herniated Discs
This is one of the many potential spinal injuries that may occur. The spinal discs are meant to play the role of shock absorbers. However, a car accident could be the catalyst to shift one or more of them out of place. Once this happens, the vertebrae may begin to rub against each other or pinch a nerve, which can be incredibly painful. Whiplash injuries will typically accompany these.
Car Wreck Contusions
The word "contusion" implies a bruise, and it's not too difficult to understand why car accident victims may come out of the ordeal with one or more bruises. The body can strike many things pretty hard when an accident happens, and this can lead to blood capillaries being ruptured, which means that internal bleeding may occur, In most cases, no treatment is needed as these will disappear over time.
Soft Tissue Sprains
A sprain occurs when there is a ligament in the body is stretched or torn. Remember that ligaments are responsible for connecting bones. It's a good idea to have an x-ray done since it's valuable to know if there are any bone fractures present. A sprained ankle is an example of a very common injury of this type that can come out of a car accident.
Soft Tissue Strains
This is another similar injury type that is characterized by a tendon being stretched or torn. The diagnosis here is not too far removed from the method used for soft tissue sprains.
Proving a Soft Tissue Injury Claim Is Not Easy
This is where the visibility element of soft tissue injuries can present a problem. A personal injury claim will always require a certain level of proof. A soft tissue injury case can present quite a level of difficulty in this regard as it will require a substantial amount of direct medical evidence.
Whiplash is one of the harder ones to prove, while herniated discs or contusions are a little more obvious and easier to prove. Personal injury attorneys are incredibly valuable here in advising their clients on the kinds of data that need to be gathered. They can also explain an average settlement for non injury car accident.
This will include photos of the accident scene and injuries, medical bills and records, results of testing, and a "pain journal," which is used to record injury developments.
It's a good idea to stay off social media as the case develops.
What Does the Standard Soft Tissue Injury Settlement Look Like?
With a good personal injury lawyer, a claim can be valued at as low as $10,000 and as high as $200,000. Remember that there are a lot of variables that will influence the outcome. An insurance company will only be required to offer a better settlement if the situation regarding the soft tissue injury is clear. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can advise on an average settlement for shoulder injury car accident.
There's also the matter of the affected area. Injuries that include the neck or back tend to be on the lower end.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Secure a Fair Settlement in Soft Tissue Injury Claims
Having the right attorney is a good step in the right direction. Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering can be very difficult to prove and to value effectively. Thankfully, expert Houston car accident lawyers are experienced in the field and can make the process much more straightforward.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Houston Car Accident Attorney Today!
While soft tissue injury symptoms can be clear, proving that the injury is present and a result of the car accident is no easy feat. This is why legal representation is so important. If you have been injured in a car accident and are experiencing soft tissue injury symptoms, you may be entitled to compensation.
Schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys today so we can go to war for you!