With the fast-paced, hustle and bustle of life, car accidents often occur. Some are high impact and others are low impact. Most frequently, when low impact car accidents occur, the end result is little visible damage... however soft tissue injuries abound. As a result, it is important to understand car accidents and soft tissue injury claims.
What is a Soft Tissue Injury?
A soft tissue injury (also known as soft tissue damage) is bodily injury to soft tissue areas, such as the neck or back. The term soft tissue refers to ligaments, tendons and muscles. A soft tissue injury can be a sprain, strain, scratch, scrape, bruise or contusion. Most commonly people may refer to whiplash as a soft tissue injury, because it is something that can result from a low impact car accident in a soft tissue region of the body. Soft tissue injuries do require treatment. Such treatment may include chiropractic treatment or massage therapy, as well as immediate hospital care if there is a wound or contusion.
How Can I Make or Prove Soft Tissue Injury Claims
At the scene of the accident a police report should be taken. In order to make a claim for a soft tissue injury then, the injured person(s) should also consider seeking medical attention as soon as the police report has been filed. Insurance companies weigh heavily on the opinions and diagnoses of orthopedic surgeons. Most people will go to the emergency room and ask for a referral to a doctor or chiropractor, but it might be better to ask for a referral to an orthopedic specialist or surgeon. Some insurance companies may even want an IME Medical Exam.
What Can I Expect for a Settlement?
There is no ballpark figure when it comes to soft tissue injury settlements. You have to take into consideration several factors when attempting to calculate a possible settlement and nothing is guaranteed.
An insurance company might take into account the actual injury, medications you have bought to treat the injury, time off from work because of the injury, your doctor’s assessment and diagnosis and a host of other variables. You might consider keeping a journal to record the money that you have lost due to medical bills, prescriptions and therapy treatments.
Getting Help
If, after you sift through any receipts and reports that are related to your post-accident health, you find that you are unclear on how to file a soft tissue injury claim or about the appropriate damages, then you should definitely consult with an attorney experienced in car accidents and soft tissue injury claims. An accident attorney can let you know what your rights are, give you solid advice regarding possible settlements as well as take a look at the supporting documentation for your claim. If you secure an attorney than you can sit down and discuss how the medical treatment has impacted your income as well as a possible settlement for your soft tissue injury claim.
