Unlike other injuries, soft tissue injuries are more difficult to prove and insurance companies may suggest that the victim is exaggerating his or her injury. Though soft tissue injuries may not be seen, you still have the right to seek compensation for this type of injury. Below, we discuss common types of soft tissue injuries and how to link your injury to the accident. At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our team has helped many of our personal injury clients prove and obtain fair compensation for their soft tissue injuries. We will work with you to establish your soft tissue claim by collecting necessary evidence and documentation to prove your injury and build a strong case. We will work hard to fight for the compensation that is rightfully owed to you. We offer a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights.
Common Types Of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries cause trauma to muscles, tendons, ligaments or skin. They are commonly associated with car accidents, even in low-impact collisions. Some common types of soft tissue injuries in automotive accidents include:- Whiplash – Whiplash is the most common type of soft tissue injury that typically happens during a car accident. Whiplash occurs when a person’s head and neck move back and forth in a violent fashion.
- Herniated disc – In other accidents, a disc may rupture and result in a serious injury.
- Sprain – A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament. Common sprains occur to a person’s ankles, wrists and knees.
Symptoms Of Soft Tissue Injuries
It is important for accident victims to recognize the symptoms of soft tissue injuries so that they can seek prompt medical attention. Symptoms may vary based on the type of soft tissue injury, but some of the most common symptoms include:- Stiffness of the neck
- Back problems
- Sharp neck pain
- Jaw pain
- Tingling feeling in the shoulders
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Cognitive issues, such as problems with memory and concentration
- Behavioral symptoms like nervousness, erratic behavior or restlessness
Why Linking The Accident To The Injury Can Be So Tough?
Soft tissue injuries can often be difficult to link to an accident, which is why it is critical to work closely with an experienced lawyer. Some complications that arise from proving soft tissue injuries include:- Lack of medical documentation – With soft tissue injuries, you cannot simply show an X-ray that proves the existence of your injury. You may be able to use imaging results, but these do not always show the presence of an injury even if there is one.
- Delayed symptoms – It might take hours or days for pain to arise after you sustain a soft tissue injury. Some accident victims may not initially seek medical attention, so there may not be an immediate connection documented between the injury and the accident.
- Subjectivity – Soft tissue injuries may cause a substantial amount of pain, but it may be difficult to get an objective medical opinion that establishes this degree of pain.
Evidence You Will Need To Prove Injury
In personal injury cases, victims must prove their injury resulted from the accident. You can do this by submitting the following evidence to help prove your injury:- Pictures of the accident scene – The accident scene may indicate how the collision occurred, so taking pictures of it is important. Combining this information with medical reports may help establish how the impact could have led to your injury.
- Imaging test results - Some imaging results may help show the presence of an injury.
- Medical records – It is important to contact a health care professional after an accident and to follow your doctor’s advice. Your medical records can document that you sought medical treatment and continue to experience pain and other symptoms associated with soft tissue injuries.
- Pain journal – Your personal injury lawyer may recommend that you keep a daily pain journal to document your pain over the course of your injury and treatment.
