Soft tissue injuries are a common injury that car accident victims suffer from, ranging from mild to severe. Also, various soft tissues in the body can become injured.
The type of compensation you can recover from a soft tissue injury can vary from one case to the next, as multiple factors can affect a personal injury claim, such as the severity of the injury, who was at fault for the accident, and how much time off work you need while recovering.
In most cases, the best way to get a high-value car accident soft tissue injury settlement is to work with a personal injury attorney.
At Zirkin & Schmerling, our team of legal experts has handled numerous Maryland car accident cases, including those involving soft tissue injuries. We can evaluate your case and help you navigate your claim to ensure the best possible outcome.
What is a Car Accident Soft Tissue Injury?
Soft tissue injuries occur when the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the body sustain trauma or damage. And as there are muscles, tendons, and ligaments all over the body, there are many areas where a person can sustain a soft tissue injury, including the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Even the neck has soft tissues that can become damaged.
In most cases, soft tissue injuries are the result of a sudden unexpected movement, like tripping and twisting your ankle. However, they can also result from impact trauma, which is how most people sustain soft tissue injuries in a car accident. Even if there is no blunt force trauma, the violent whipping motion of the body that occurs in an accident can also lead to soft tissue damage.
What Are the Most Common Soft Tissue Injuries that Result from Car Accidents?
Again, as the entire body is made up of soft tissues, there are numerous places where a soft tissue injury can occur. However, some soft tissue injuries are more prevalent in car accident victims than others.
Some of the most common car accident soft tissue injuries include the following:
- Contusions (bruises)
- Sprains and strains
- Whiplash (soft tissue injury in the neck)
- Muscle tears
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
Any of these soft tissue injuries can range in severity. A minor soft tissue injury will likely result in mild tenderness and minimal swelling. A moderate soft tissue injury could mean partial tears, moderate pain and swelling, and some limited mobility. A severe soft tissue injury can mean a complete rupture of the affected area, significant pain and swelling, instability of the joint, and inability to move or use the affected area.
How Are Soft Tissue Injuries Treated?
How a soft tissue injury is treated will depend on the area affected and the severity of the injury. For many soft tissue injuries, doctors will simply have you follow the PRICE method:
Protect: Minimize the use of the affected area.
Rest: Rest the affected area as much as possible and avoid activities that cause pain.
Ice: Place ice or a cold compress on the affected area for 15-20 minutes every three to four hours.
Compression: Wrap the affected area in a firm bandage, but not so tight as to restrict circulation.
Elevation: When resting, keep the affected area elevated above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
For more severe soft tissue injuries, medication, surgery, and physiotherapy might be required. If this is the case, treatments can get expensive. This is why it’s important to file a claim and work with an attorney. A soft tissue injury settlement can help you pay for your medical expenses and other potential damages.
Types of Compensation for a Car Accident Soft Tissue Injury Settlement
How much your car accident soft tissue injury settlement will be valued can vary greatly depending on several factors. Who is at fault, for example, can affect your claim. If someone else was at fault, you could file a claim against their insurance company or even file a lawsuit against them for compensation. However, if you are at fault for the accident, you may only be able to recover compensation through your own no-fault insurance policy, if you have one.
The damages you suffered as a result of the accident and your injuries can also determine the type of compensation you can recover. Such damages can include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain & suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment
- Loss of consortium
Essentially, the more the accident has affected your life and your finances, the more money you should be able to recover. However, there is never a guarantee that you will be awarded the full amount you deserve, which is why it helps to work with a personal injury attorney.
An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal matters involved in your case, protect your rights, and ensure sufficient evidence is provided to prove how severe your injury is and how much you have suffered as a result.
Have a Legal Question About a Personal Injury? We Have Answers.
If you sustain a soft tissue injury from a car accident in Maryland, the team at Zirkin & Schmerling can help you navigate your claim. Our compassionate team has experience handling a wide variety of Maryland car accident cases, and we are dedicated to ensuring every one of our clients gets the full and fair settlement they deserve.
Contact us or call us at 410-753-4611 to set up an appointment with one of our personal injury attorneys today.