How To Prove Soft Tissue Injuries After A Car Accident
Medical documentation will be key in proving your soft tissue injury. You will need to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible following the accident, especially if the crash was severe or you are unsure of the extent of your injuries.
If you are involved in an accident and suspect soft tissue damage, begin collecting evidence as soon as possible. Photograph any visible signs of injury, such as swelling, redness, or bruising. Note your pain levels and the circumstances under which the injury occurred. What action, specifically, caused the trauma? For example, did your shoulder collide with the door, and now it hurts to move it? Noting this information will not only help your doctor treat you more effectively, it will also help your insurance company understand the seriousness of your injuries.
Also make a note of any new behaviors you notice as a possible result of your injuries. Are you suddenly taking ibuprofen every day? Are you having trouble finding a comfortable position? Is your work affected because you can no longer tolerate sitting for long periods?
Be sure to save all medical bills for treatment of your injuries as well. These will further demonstrate the need for medical compensation from your insurance company.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Involved In An Auto Accident
If youve been in a car accident and feel sore or experienced a sprain, you should always go immediately to receive a medical evaluation either at your doctors office or a hospital emergency room or urgent care center. While you might think that your injuries are minor, they could actually be more serious than you supposed. Moreover, if you fail to get early medical care, you could be deemed negligent the other drivers insurance company could suggest that your failure to get proper medical care actually led to a more serious injury than the one you incurred in the accident, making for a messier legal argument.
The documents associated with your medical visit will become evidence in the event that you or your insurance company sue or negotiate for a soft tissue injury car accident settlement. However, thats not the only step to take in the matter.
After receiving medical care, you should contact your car attorney. Your attorney will advise and represent you and may provide services such as:
- Speaking with insurance companies on your behalf
- Procuring accident reports
- Collecting evidence
- Maintaining all documents associated with your case
- Negotiating for a soft tissue injury settlement
- Litigating for a car accident soft tissue injury settlement
What Exactly Is A Soft Tissue Injury
If were getting technical, soft tissue injuries can be classified as sprains, strains, or bruises. A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or forced beyond its normal range of motion. In the case of an auto accident, the traumatic, sudden force can cause some of the ligaments in our bodies to move well beyond their normal range. A strain involves injury to muscle or to the band of tissue that connects a muscle to the bone. Again, these injuries can easily occur from the trauma of an accident. Finally, a bruise is perhaps the easiest to spot with your own eyes, as the black-and-blue markings signal trauma to the skin from burst capillaries below the surface.
The one commonality between all soft tissue injuries they all require medical attention. The degree of seriousness can vary greatly between each individual circumstance, and the only way to really have a handle on what is going on with your body is to seek medical treatment immediately. Essentially, dont delay getting medical help following a car accident, even if your injuries seem minor.
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How Do You Tell If A Soft Tissue Injury Is Catastrophic
A catastrophic injury is defined as one that prevents a person from living their life in the same manner they did before the accident. If a soft tissue injury has permanent or long-term disabling effects, it may be considered catastrophic. If a person is in chronic pain, experiences chronic numbness, or has some loss of function after an accident, the soft tissue injury could be catastrophic.
Due to the severe nature of Grade III soft tissue injuries, they may rise to the level of catastrophic injuries with long-lasting effects on a personâs quality of life.
Begin Building Your Case
Your personal injury claim, and trail of documentation, begins right at the scene of the accident. Determination of who is at fault has a significant impact on your lawsuit and could bar your claim altogether if you are considered a hundred percent at fault. It is important that you dont let the other party bully you into not contacting the police. A police report often becomes a key part of evidence and developing a proper claim.
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Soft Tissue Injury Symptoms
A soft tissue injury after a car accident produces identifiable symptomsâpain, for example. Symptoms might be delayed for hours or even days after an accident. Common symptoms include:
- A sharp neck pain
- Joint pain occurs whenever you put weight on it.
Soft tissue damage in a car accident can be difficult to prove. Seek medical treatment immediately to make it more difficult for the defendant to assert that the accident is not what caused your symptoms.
What Is The Value Of A Soft Tissue Injury Case
First and foremost, stay away from online injury value calculators that you input some information in, and the calculator gives you a number. An injury victim cant possibly input all relevant information into one of those calculators. Theyre made to get clients in the door of the attorneys law firm. They should probably be noted as being for amusement purposes only. Second of all, if you consult with an attorney and he or she places a value on your case in that initial conference, youre either being told what you might want to hear, or the attorney has no real experience in personal injury law. A value shouldnt be placed on any personal injury case without a thorough evaluation of all appropriate information by an experienced California car accident attorney. Thats because a soft tissue injury case can carry a value of four figures up to $1 million or more. Here are a few examples of some soft tissue settlements and verdicts:
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Cerebral Contusions And Concussions
Cerebral contusions and concussions are known as closed head injuries. This is bruising, swelling, or bleeding inside the skull around the brain. Vehicle wrecks are the most common cause of these life-threatening injuries. These are dangerous because there may be no visible sign of injury on the outside. Head injuries can easily be confused with a strokeeither way, you need to call 911.
- Symptoms of contusions: loss of memory, confusion, numbness, loss of speech.
- Diagnosis of contusions: A neurologist will order a neuropsychological examination, CT scan, and MRI. They will act swiftly to begin treatment immediately.
Compensation After A Car Crash
You should not have to pay for someone elses mistake if you are suffering from injuries of any kind after a crash. Although an insurance adjuster may try to brush off a soft-tissue injury as minor, only time will tell how much it truly costs you.
When we investigate your car accident claim, we will prepare extensive documentation of the losses you have suffered and will continue to suffer in the future. Based on our findings, we may demand compensation for:
- Medical bills, including emergency room visits, rehabilitative therapy, and medications
- Future costs related to treatment you may need as you continue to heal
- Lost income if you had to take time off work after your accident
- Diminished earning capacity if your injuries force you to accept a lesser paying job
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Pain and suffering physical, emotional, and psychological
- Punitive damages, which can be awarded in extreme cases as a way to punish the at-fault party
If an insurance company approaches you about your claim, do not give a recorded statement, sign anything, or accept payment without talking to our experienced car accident lawyers. Protect your right to full and fair compensation by scheduling a free consultation with our team now.
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The Most Common Soft Tissue Injuries Caused By Car Accidents
From a minor fender bender to a head-on collision, any car accident can inflict painful physical damage. Some of the most common injuries after a wreck include soft tissue injuries, like whiplash or sprains. Despite how often these injuries occur, it can still be difficult to determine if you have experienced a soft tissue injury from a car accident.
After an accident, some soft tissue injuries can take hours or even days to appear. To complicate matters even further, many soft tissue injuries can only be seen with the help of medical imaging, such as an ultrasound. If youre experiencing pain, swelling, bruising, or limited range of motion after an accident, do not hesitate to visit a medical professional. Seeking medical attention is the best way to guarantee your soft tissue injury receives proper treatment. A well-documented injury is also more likely to receive adequate compensation from the insurance company. To protect your health and your right to a settlement, you should learn more about soft tissue injuries from a car accident.
The Importance Of Seeking Medical Care After Suspected Soft Tissue Injuries
After a car accident, you shouldnt put off being evaluated by a doctor. Medical treatment is recommended even if you dont believe your injuries were serious.
Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, can cause delayed symptoms that may not be apparent at the accident scene. If you wait until you are in pain to seek medical treatment, the injury may have worsened, and more invasive treatment may be required. Also, by seeking medical treatment right after an accident, you have documentation of your injuries, which can be beneficial if you file a personal injury lawsuit.
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What Is Soft Tissue Damage
Soft tissue damage refers to injuries suffered to muscles and ligaments as opposed to hard injuries like broken bones. These softer body parts are more prone to injuries ranging in severity from minor bruises and contusions to tears and deep cuts. The main classifications of soft tissue injuries include the following:
- Contusions: discoloration that results from broken blood vessels under the skin from a direct impact
- Sprains: injuries to ligaments, muscles, or connective tissue from overstretching
- Tendonitis: irritation and inflammation of tendons from repeat exercise and overuse
- Bursitis: inflammation of the sacs that surround your joints from repeat motion and stress
- Stress Injuries: other types of repetitive motion injuries, overuse, and overstress
- Strains: traumatic stretching or tear of a ligament or muscle
What Are The Types Of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries sustained during a car accident are known as an acute injury because a crash is considered sudden trauma. The most common types of soft tissue injuries after a crash include:
Soft tissue injuries are difficult to identify, so it is important to always seek medical attention after a crash, particularly if you are feeling any pain at all.
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Starting A Soft Tissue Injury Claim
If you have decided to claim compensation for a soft tissue injury, you can call our advisors right now on .
If your claim is accepted, one of our No Win No Fee solicitors will handle everything on your behalf. You wont need to worry about facing complex legal or medical questions as your solicitor will deal with all communication for you.
Thanks for reading our soft tissue injury claims guide and if you need any further information, please feel free to connect with us via our live chat service.
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Need Help Finding The Right Lawyer Call Michigan Auto Law First
If you have suffered a soft tissue injury after a car accident and would like to speak with an experienced attorney, call toll free anytime 24/7 at 777-0028 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You can also get help from an experienced accident attorney by visiting our or you can use the chat feature on our website.
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Time Limits For Claiming Soft Tissue Injury Compensation
There is a 3-year time limit when making a soft tissue injury claim. This begins from either the date of your accident or when you received a diagnosis from a doctor. The 3-year limitation period does not apply to cases involving children as an adult can claim on their behalf at any time before they turn 18-years old. Read more here on child injury claims.
We would suggest that you begin the soft tissue injury claims process as soon as possible rather than waiting. By doing so, you and your solicitor will have enough time to collect evidence and arrange for medical reports to be filed. Also, if needed, your solicitor might be able to secure funding for private medical treatment from the defendant before your claim is finalised.
Most claims can be settled in around 6-months if the defendant accepts that they were responsible right away. However, where extra negotiation is needed to prove liability or where your prognosis is not yet fully understood, claims can take longer than a year.
Seek Medical Attention And Treatment As Quickly As Possible
No matter what, getting the proper medical care immediately following an accident, and days after, should be your first priority. Certain injuries are time sensitive, and detecting them at an early stage and treating them quickly can be germane to recovery. Medical attention is critical to diagnosing and treating pain and if you do not seek it immediately, the insurance company may deny that your pain is related to the accident and might draw an inference it is from some other strenuous activity in your life or from a pre-existing injury.
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Other Auto Accident Injuries
There are a number of injuries you can sustain from a car accident. Not all of them are related to soft tissue damage. These include things like fractures and broken bones, brain injury and even mental health issues like PTSD.
Its critical you seek medical attention as soon as you can after an accident, and you document your car accident injuries in pursuant of your claim. If you are able to, its also prudent to have medical professionals certify expert witness testimony on your behalf. Taking these steps will help you get your medical bills paid by your insurance company.
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Common Types Of Soft Tissue Injuries
Considering, soft tissue injuries occur from unexpected and sometimes serious trauma. Like when a persons body gets jolted and twisted in a car accident or even a slip and fall. With this in mind, these injuries fall under the following categories:
- Sprains These injuries result from torn or stretched ligaments. And, ligaments connect our bones and help provide stability. Thus, when you have a sprain your bone will lose their support on the joints.
- Strains These injuries, affect the muscles and tendons. Like, sprains they can vary from simple stretches to complete tears. Thus, leaving the victim unable to move. Even though strains are common with the lower extremities, they also happen in whiplash accidents.
- Tears Are a severe sprain or strain that tears a muscle, ligament, or tendon. And, could result in a partial or complete tear of the area. Additionally, severe tears could require surgery to repair the damage.
- Contusions Also know as bruises and considered closed wounds. While the skin does not break, the damage is under the skin resulting in discoloration of the area. Thus, contusions occur in car accidents when parts of the body hit the steering wheel or other interior parts of the vehicle.
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Contact Heidari Law Group
If you have been involved in a collision and suffered injuries, contact Heidari Law Group. We have years of experience achieving successful outcomes for our clients. Your soft injuries, especially if extensive, can result in thousands of dollars out of your pocket. Let us help you file your claim and fight to help you achieve your fair soft tissue injury settlement. to today to schedule a consultation.
When Can I Get My Car Accident Settlement
Every case is different and takes various amounts of time to settle. Reaching a settlement in your case may take months or years depending on:
- How easy it is to find the liable party
- Whether the liable partys insurance company cooperates with your case or decides to drag out the processes
- Whether you can settle at the negotiating table or must take the liable party to court
- How complex your case is for example, cases involving multiple injuries or multiple liable parties may take longer to settle
Even before you start your case, there are timelines for you to consider. As O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 explains, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit on the basis of an injury, including a soft tissue injury.
The sooner you begin your case, the easier it will be for your lawyer to work within this statute of limitations, and the sooner you may be able to get your settlement.
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How An Accident Injury Doctor Treats Soft Tissue Injuries
When you visit an accident injury doctor after a car accident, they will want to perform a physical examination to determine what areas of the body were negatively impacted by the car accident. In order to diagnose a soft tissue injury, your accident doctor may want to run diagnostic imaging tests like an X-ray to get a clearer picture of the affected area. X-rays and other diagnostic imaging tools can also help to rule out other potential injuries like fractures or broken bones.
Once your accident doctor has determined the most appropriate diagnosis for your injuries, they will develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms and the root cause of your pain. Treatment for soft tissue injuries is typically minimally invasive and may include icing the area to reduce swelling and inflammation and immobilizing an injured area to allow healing to occur. Learn more about the next steps for healing from a soft tissue injury by visiting our team of accident injuries doctors at Pro-Care Medical Centers in San Antonio.