Soft tissue injuries from a car accident can be less serious than other injuries such as fractures and internal organ injuries. However, significant soft tissue injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation therapies, and a prolonged recovery period.  

If you suffered soft tissue injuries in a car accident that happened as a result of another driver's fault, and are now left with damages, you should consider consulting with a car accident attorney. You could potentially recover compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys at Labrum Law Firm to learn more and to help you determine whether you have a case: (615) 338-9500.

Types of Soft Tissue Injuries 

Soft tissue injuries can involve the skin, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other tissue in the body. Car accidents can potentially cause a variety of soft tissue injuries. Unfortunately, soft tissue injuries are not always harmless and can lead to long-term issues, chronic pain, and reduced mobility. Soft tissue injuries from a car accident can include whiplash, contusions, and sprains, among other medical issues. 

Whiplash 

Whiplash occurs due to the forceful back and forth movement of the head and neck during a collision. Symptoms of whiplash can include:

• Neck stiffness and pain
• Upper back pain
• Headaches
• Numbness and tingling in shoulders and arms

While mild whiplash can heal on its own, severe whiplash can cause debilitating and long-lasting symptoms as well as chronic pain. 

Sprains

Sprains occur due to stretching or tearing of a ligament and can be common soft tissue injuries from a car accident.  The wrists, knees, and ankles can be particularly prone to sprains. Mild sprains can possibly clear up with rest. However, when a ligament tears completely, an individual can experience excruciating pain and could face a long recovery period. Visiting with an experienced medical provider can help you determine the severity of your sprain or injury. 

Strains

A strain involves injury to muscles or tendons. Most, or even all of a muscle can be torn with a severe strain. A torn or nearly torn muscle can cause mobility issues as well as severe pain and inflammation. 

Contusions

A contusion describes extensive bruising that can happen when an individual experiences a strong blow during an accident. Seatbelt and airbag injuries can also cause extensive bruising. Contusions are caused by blood pooling in the affected area. 

Milder soft tissue injuries can heal with little medical intervention. However, a serious soft tissue injury may require surgery, physical therapy, and many weeks or even months of resting the affected body part resulting in pain and suffering as well as lost wages due to an inability to return to work.

What Is the Average Settlement for Soft Tissue Injuries?

While there is no average settlement for soft tissue injuries from car accidents, individuals could potentially recover economic and non-economic damages, depending on the facts of their accident, injuries, and losses. 

Healthcare Expenses

Some soft tissue injuries require considerable medical intervention and rehabilitation. Victims could recover medical expenses such as:

• Medical devices such as a neck brace or crutches
• Appointments with soft tissue specialists
• Medications
• Household assistance during recovery

Property Damage

If another driver negligently caused your accident, you are generally entitled to reimbursement for any property damage such as car replacement or repair.

Loss of Wages

Although a soft tissue injury may not be life-threatening, it can prevent victims from working during a long recovery, potentially causing significant income loss. Individuals can pursue compensation for lost wages and future lost wages. 

A car accident attorney at Labrum Law Firm can help victims gather and organize evidence that proves economic damages such as wage stubs, receipts, medical statements, and others.

Non-Economic Damages

Individuals who suffered serious soft tissue injuries from a car accident could seek non-economic damages. Victims may be able to seek awards for:

• Physical and mental suffering

• Permanent disfigurement and scarring
• Inconvenience

One way to find out what you could be entitled to in non-economic damages is by speaking to one of our experienced car accident lawyers at Labrum Law Firm. Call us today to find out what your case could be worth.

What Are My Next Best Steps After Suffering Soft Tissue Injuries?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the medical costs of car accident injuries totaled $23.4 billion in the year 2010 alone. However, there are not only medical costs to consider. Victims with severe soft tissue injuries may have considerable income losses and out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation costs, expenses for medical devices, lost wages, and having to pay for household assistance. If this has happened to you, consider holding the responsible party to account for your expenses and damages.

Seek Medical Help

While seeking medical advice immediately after an accident is always a good idea, some individuals make the mistake of simply ignoring minor symptoms, hoping they will go away. However, this can be a devastating and tragic idea for your health as well as your wallet.  

Firstly, some soft tissue injuries from a car accident have a delayed onset. Whiplash is one such injury, according to the Mayo Clinic, and can take several days before showing symptoms. Secondly, if you do not visit a medical professional, you will have no proof for your injuries making it next to impossible to recover compensation from the at-fault party. Thirdly, if you wait too long to see a doctor, you leave yourself open to claims from the other side that your injuries are unrelated to the car accident. 

Consider Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer After Suffering Soft Tissue Injuries From a Car Accident 

It can be hard to know where to turn after a car accident. One of your first steps can be talking to a car accident lawyer to evaluate your options. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Labrum Law Firm can assess your damages and the effect of your soft tissue injuries on your personal life and career. If you have a case, we can help you in the following ways as well as others:

• Identify all at-fault parties in your car accident
• Calculate your past, present, and future damages
• Gather evidence proving negligence 
• Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies
• Represent you aggressively at trial if necessary

Fighting with insurance companies and liable parties for your due can be stressful and lengthy. However, our dedicated team of attorneys can handle your claim from beginning to end so you are free to concentrate on your health and recovery. 

Do not wait to find out about your legal rights after suffering from soft tissue injuries in a car accident. Labrum Law Firm can advise you of your next best steps and whether you have a case against the at-fault party in your accident. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate team members: (615) 338-9500.