Soft tissue injuries are among the most common consequences of motor vehicle crashes. A whiplash, sprain, or strain may not be visible on an X-ray but can still cause a victim serious pain and, potentially, keep them off the job for weeks, months, or even longer. If you suffered a soft tissue injury in a motor vehicle collision, you need to know how to protect your rights and your interests. In this article, our Summerville car accident attorney provides a guide to navigating soft tissue damage after a crash in South Carolina.
Soft Tissue Injury Car Accident: Know the Most Common
Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, tendons, or ligaments. In a car accident, the sudden force placed on the body can stretch, tear, or strain these tissues. There are among the most common car accident injuries reported in Summerville, South Carolina. Some of the most common examples of soft tissue injuries in traffic collisions include:
- Whiplash: One of the most common car crash injuries, whiplash is a soft tissue injury that primarily affects the cervical spine. It is caused by the rapid acceleration-deceleration motion that occurs during a collision. The injury involves damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck. Victims can be left with long-term impairments due to whiplash.
- Sprains: Sprains occur when a ligament, which connects bone to bone, is stretched or torn. In a car accident, the force of impact can destabilize major joints. The knees, wrists, and ankles are all common areas where sprains happen. Severe sprains may require extensive physical rehabilitation or even surgery.
- Strains: Strains involve damage to a muscle or tendon, which attaches muscle to bone. A sudden crash can overstretch or tear these tissues. The victim may suffer pain, muscle spasms, and serious weakness. Strains in car accidents often impact the back, shoulders, and hamstrings. Though other types of strains happen as well.
- Contusions: Contusions are deep tissue bruises caused by blunt force trauma during a collision. Blood vessels rupture beneath the skin and within the muscle fibers. The victim is often left dealing with swelling, discoloration, and pain. While many contusions heal with rest, severe contusions can impair mobility and cause long-term health complications.
You Need Medical Care for a Car Accident Soft Tissue Injury
All car accident injuries should be evaluated by a doctor. With suspected soft tissue damage, medical care should come immediately after a crash. Soft tissue damage may feel mild at first. However, it is common for symptoms to grow worse with time. Untreated injuries stiffen, swell, and cause lasting pain. A doctor can confirm the injury and record the diagnosis. Imaging, such as MRI, may be required when damage is severe. These medical records will be key evidence in any claim.
With soft tissue damage, it is imperative that victims are able to get the right ongoing support. Indeed, follow-up care is also critical. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries often require weeks of therapy. Victims may need physical therapy, chiropractic sessions, and/or some form of pain management. All of a car accident victim’s medical care that is reasonable and necessary after a car accident should be covered by their claim (and that includes any follow-up care).
What is the Average Soft Tissue Damage Settlement for a Car Accident?
It depends. Car accident injury settlements for soft tissue injuries vary. There is no set formula that is used in South Carolina to determine exactly how much financial compensation the victim should receive. Compensation depends on several factors, including fault for the crash, the severity of the injury, the cost of treatment, and the time lost from work. Minor sprains may resolve within weeks. That means there will be a smaller settlement. On the other hand, more serious injuries that prevent victims from working and require ongoing care can lead to greater compensation.
The Challenge You Need to Be Ready For: Insurers often attempt to undervalue soft tissue claims. Along with other things, they may argue that the injury is exaggerated or unrelated to the crash. Strong medical evidence is the best response. Victims should preserve all treatment notes, therapy bills, and wage records. It is imperative that you are able to present a strong, well-supported case. An experienced Summerville car accident lawyer can help you negotiate a fair settlement. Do not agree to settle a soft tissue injury car crash claim in South Carolina for less.
South Carolina is a Fault-Based Car Accident State
How and why an accident happened is a big part of any soft tissue injury claim in South Carolina. South Carolina is a Fault-Based Car Accident State. South Carolina follows a fault-based system for motor vehicle collisions. The driver who causes the accident is legally responsible for the damages. An injured victim can pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver, through that driver’s insurance, or by filing a lawsuit. The state also applies a modified comparative negligence rule. A victim can recover compensation if less than fifty percent is at fault. However, their award (settlement or verdict) will be reduced in proportion to their share of blame. Every serious crash in Summerville should be carefully investigated by an experienced attorney.
Why Trust Our Summerville Auto Accident Lawyer for Soft Tissue Injuries
A soft tissue injury can be painful, even debilitating. After a crash in South Carolina, it is imperative that any person who suffers whiplash, a sprain, a strain, or any other type of serious soft tissue injury get immediate medical attention and the proper follow-up care. At the West Law Firm, we have the experience needed to hold big insurance companies accountable. Our case results tell the story best. Your initial consultation with our South Carolina soft tissue injury lawyer is free and confidential.
Our office is conveniently located in Summerville. Summerville is part of the Charleston metropolitan area. The town is known as the “Flower Town in the Pines,” and it has grown into one of the fastest-developing communities in South Carolina. Accidents are hard to deal with. Some good news is that victims in our region have access to major hospitals and medical specialists for any ongoing treatment that they need to recover from their soft tissue injury.
Contact Our Summerville Car Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
At the West Law Firm, our Summerville auto accident lawyer has the knowledge, tenacity, and commitment to personalized representation that you can trust. If you were hurt in a crash and you suffered a serious soft tissue injury, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online to set up your free, no obligation initial appointment. With an office in Summerville (29483, 29484, 29485, 29486), we handle car accident claims throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina.