The force and mechanics of a motor vehicle accident can leave you with painful and serious injuries, including soft-tissue damage. Soft-tissue injuries range from whiplash to disk herniation. They can lead to mobility problems, expensive medical bills and the inability to return to work.
If you suffer a soft-tissue injury in a California car accident, it is important to know how to handle this type of injury claim. You may need to hire an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer to help you combat insurance company tactics used to underpay you.
Common Types of Soft-Tissue Injuries From Car Accidents
A soft-tissue injury affects a car accident victim’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, fat or blood vessels. Soft-tissue damage can occur as a result of impact injuries or blunt-force trauma, as well as penetrating injuries.
Common soft-tissue and orthopedic injuries complained of by car accident victims include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Muscle tears
- Sprains and strains
- Stretched or torn ligaments
- Tendon damage such as tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Joint injuries
- ACL and MCL tears (knee injuries)
- Back injuries
- Herniated or ruptured disks
- Nerve damage
- Bruises or contusions
Soft-tissue injuries may stand alone or be in addition to other types of car accident injuries, such as concussions, brain trauma, broken bones, lacerations, burns and internal injuries. Either way, the victim needs immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a Car Accident Soft-Tissue Injury
Symptoms that may arise in connection to a soft-tissue injury include pain, stiffness, loss of mobility in the limb or area, pain connected to movement, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, swelling or inflammation, muscle spasms, and bruising. Tingling, numbness or a burning sensation could also point to nerve damage from a soft-tissue injury.
Soft-tissue injuries in a car accident are notorious for having delayed symptoms. The victim’s shock and adrenaline can mask the initial pain of the injury. Sometimes, it takes a few hours or even days for the area of the injury to stiffen, ache, swell or bruise. For this reason, it is important for all car accident victims to seek medical care, even if they initially seem uninjured.
Soft-Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident
What Is the Average Settlement for a Soft-Tissue Injury?
If you are diagnosed with a soft-tissue injury after a car accident in California, the driver or party responsible for causing the crash can be held liable, or financially accountable, for your related losses. Under the state’s fault law, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for your injury-related medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Do not base the value of your soft-tissue injury claim on an “average” amount. There is no such thing as an accurate average settlement, as case values vary drastically from person to person. A minor soft-tissue injury case could result in $5,000 or less in compensation, while severe or permanent soft-tissue damage could lead to $500,000 or more.
Steps to Take to Strengthen Your Soft-Tissue Injury Case
Unlike a hard-tissue injury, such as a broken bone, soft-tissue damage may not be visible on x-rays and imaging scans. This can make these injuries more difficult to prove during car accident claims.
Instead of attempting to prove the existence and extent of your soft-tissue injury alone after a car crash, consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney. A lawyer can gather medical evidence, hire qualified experts, tell your story to an insurance company or courtroom, and take steps to maximize your recovery as much as possible.