We often hear about car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and similar on-road events causing broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries. However, some of the most commonly overlooked injuries are soft tissue injuries. Healing from these injuries may result in medical expenses and time spent off of work.
If you suffered soft tissue injuries in an accident of any kind, you may be entitled to compensation. Below, our St. Augustine personal injury attorneys discuss some common types of soft tissue injuries and factors that may impact your settlement offer.
Various Types of Soft Tissue Injuries
In general, soft tissue injuries occur when there is damage or trauma to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. Even seemingly “minor” accidents, such as fender benders, can lead to soft tissue injuries. Some of the most common examples include:
- Strains
- Sprains
- Whiplash
- Bursitis
- Contusions or bruising
- Tendinitis
- Torn ligaments
The time it takes for a soft tissue injury to heal can vary depending on the severity of the injury and other factors, including a person’s age, overall health, and how quickly medical treatment was received. Typically, recovery can take months or up to one year. If there is permanent damage, certain long-term effects may include:
- Chronic pain
- Chronic numbness or tingling
- Limited mobility
- Loss of function
- Loss of muscle strength
- Disfigurement
Factors that May Impact Personal Injury Settlements
Despite what the insurance company may lead you to believe, soft tissue injury cases have value. However, because soft tissue injuries cannot be seen on x-rays, successfully proving your claim will require the right documentation, recording evidence, and medical records that back up your official claim.
Additionally, several other factors will impact the settlement you may be offered by the insurance company for a soft tissue injury. Such factors may include:
- How quickly you received medical treatment
- Whether the injury will impact your life for an extended period of time
- Whether you are still in pain
- Whether you have missed work or will continue missing work in the future
- Whether you are unable to perform the job you did prior to the accident
Ultimately, a personal injury attorney can review the details of your specific case to determine what a fair settlement offer would be and ensure that you do not accept a lowball settlement.
How to Hold the Insurance Company Accountable
Pursuing compensation for your soft tissue injuries is not about being opportunistic—it’s about recovering the money you need to cover the costs of your related damages so you are not left with out-of-pocket medical expenses. While these cases may be difficult to prove by yourself, know that you don’t have to carry this legal burden by yourself.
At Canan Law, our dedicated legal team has decades of legal experience protecting the rights of those injured across Florida. When the expected happens, you can count on our attorneys to advocate tirelessly on your behalf every step of the way.
Have you been injured and need help filing a claim? Contact our team at (904) 849-2266 to schedule your free consultation!