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Average Soft Tissue Injury Settlement Amounts

What Is the Average Settlement Involving Soft Tissue Injuries?

There is no definitive answer to how much a soft tissue injury car accident settlement will be on average because there are many potential variables. For example, an ankle sprain might cost $10,000 while damage to shoulder tissues could be $20,000+. Also, whiplash injuries caused by a rear-end accident can result in settlements between $2,500 and $10,000 while herniated discs can cause expenses up to $350,000. It’s important to understand that every car accident payout is different. Many people mistakenly believe that their payouts will be similar to what they’ve seen or heard about elsewhere, but this is not always the case. To avoid this issue, it’s best to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer who can tell you what to expect for your specific situation.

There are many factors that affect how much you could receive from an injury settlement, including medical bills, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and more. Someone who only had an x-ray and diagnosis will get less money than someone who needed surgery and months of PT. If you’re not sure whether it’s worth filing a claim, contact the Law Offices of J. Robert Davis, P.C. for a free consultation with our personal injury attorney. We’ll be able to give you a potential settlement amount based on the information we learn about your case during this meeting.

Did you know that if you have a personal injury lawyer, you’re significantly more likely to receive compensation for your accident? In fact, over 91% of victims who had legal representation received a successful payout, and these payouts were on average $60,000 higher than those without lawyers. Our legal team is here to help you get the justice – and compensation – you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?

Though soft tissue injuries–any damage to the ligaments, tendons, or muscles–can result from a small car accident, they aren’t always visible immediately. They might show up on an x-ray but not always. Oftentimes, people don’t realize they have this type of injury because there is no visible laceration, and adrenaline/shock can set in following an accident.

Without a speedy diagnosis, the victim is likely to experience additional injuries that could have been avoided with proper medical attention. Soft tissue injuries might not produce symptoms including pain, reduced mobility, and swelling for days or weeks after the accident occurred. If the other driver’s insurance company denies or discredits your injury claim, it will be more difficult to win your case in court if you haven’t contacted a personal injury attorney yet.

Most Common Soft Tissue Injuries Caused By Car Accidents

Many bodily injuries are classified as soft tissue damage and can be compensated through a personal injury claim. These are some of the most common types of injuries:

Contusion

Contusions, more commonly referred to as deep bruises, are a type of tissue injury caused by blunt force trauma. This can lead to pain and swelling in the affected area, along with purple discoloration. A serious contusion like this can take weeks or even months to heal properly.

Whiplash Injury

Whiplash is a widespread soft tissue injury that involves being hit in the back of the head, which then forcefully whips the neck. This commonly takes place in car accidents and can result in long-term problems such as chronic neck pain, headaches, and weakness. For some people, these detrimental effects might even become irreversible.

Sprains

If you’ve ever twisted your ankle or fallen awkwardly and felt a sharp pain, then you might have experienced a sprain. A sprain is caused by stretching or tearing of the ligaments, usually from an awkward fall or quick turn. The resulting pain can be severe, and most soft tissue sprains occur in the ankle, knee, or wrist—or sometimes all three at once! In bad cases, surgery might be required to repair the damage.

Bursitis

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that serves as a buffer between your muscles or tendons and the bones. This organ becomes inflamed when there is direct pressure and friction on a joint.

Burns or Abrasions

If a wound is sustained from rubbing or scraping against something, it’s referred to as a burn or abrasion. In more severe cases, there may be permanent marks, infections, and require skin transplants to heal the injury.

Lacerations

Deep cuts that occur from an accident are called lacerations. The depth of the wound will determine if stitches are required.

Symptoms Of Soft Tissue Damage

If you’re questioning whether you have a soft tissue injury from your car accident, understand that these injuries can affect any area of the body. Thus, there are various potential symptoms. Some frequent signs that you might have experienced a soft tissue injury include:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain and swelling
  • Inability to bear any weight
  • Weakness in your muscles
  • Limitations in your range of motion
  • Muscle cramping

However, you must see a doctor right away after your car accident. This way, you can get an accurate picture of which injuries you have and how severe they are. It’s also important to document any damage done to soft tissue, as this kind of injury can be difficult to assess without proper records. If your case goes in front of a jury, having clear evidence of the injuries caused by the accident will help them make a fair decision about damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Calculate Pain And Suffering In Soft Tissue Injury Settlement?

You may be able to get compensated for pain and suffering after a minor car accident. The most common method of calculating pain and suffering damage is multiplying the economic damages, such as lost earnings and medical bills, by a multiplier that ranges from 1 to 5 based on how severe the injuries are.

For example, a 1 or 2 is usually the multiplier used for minor injuries. So if medical expenses are $5,000 in total and the multiplier is 2, you would get a settlement of $10,000. However, cases with more catastrophic or permanent injuries—like damage to the spine or brain—would have a 4 or 5 multiplier.

What Does A Car Accident Investigation Involve?

With our experienced team, the Law Offices of J. Robert Davis, P.C. has the resources and networks necessary to investigate your personal injury case and get you the settlement you deserve. At our firm we will:

  • Identify and interview any possible witnesses
  • Obtain a copy of the police report, if there was one
  • Analyze any physical evidence
  • Enlist the help of professionals such as economists, medical experts, etc.
  • Use pre-existing photos or videos of the accident scene and your injury, if available. If not, take your own
  • Gather evidence of your injury-related losses and expenses

Contact Our San Antonio Personal Injury Attorney Today

We want to help you if you’re wondering about the average settlement for a soft tissue injury from a car accident. No amount of money can fully erase the memory or pain of an accident, but it is still a step in the right direction. With over three decades of experience with these types of cases, our personal injury attorneys are ready and waiting to take on your case. Don’t hesitate to reach out today so that we can answer any questions you may have—the consultation is free!