Soft Tissue Injury from a Car Accident

You walked away from the crash feeling fine. No broken bones, no blood—just a little soreness you figured would disappear. But it doesn’t. Days, maybe weeks later, the pain is still there. Your neck is stiff, your back aches, your shoulders throb. Everyday tasks feel impossible. Sleep offers no escape. Unfortunately, this isn’t just soreness; you have experienced a soft tissue injury, and it’s disrupting your life.

Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. knows a soft tissue injury from a car accident can be just as devastating as any broken bone. With over a century of combined experience, our attorneys understand what you’re going through and are ready to help you secure the compensation you need so you can get back to living your life.

What Is a Soft Tissue Injury in a Car Accident?

You can’t see them on an X-ray, but soft tissue injuries are real. They affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that let you move and function. In a car accident, the sudden forces can wrench your body, stretching, tearing, and bruising these vital tissues.

Picture this: Your car screeches to a halt. Your head whips back and forth. Your back muscles tense as you brace for impact. Your hands clench the steering wheel. Each of these actions can cause the following soft tissue injuries:

• Whiplash. That jolting motion of your head? That’s whiplash, a common neck injury that can cause pain, headaches, dizziness, and memory problems.
• Sprains. When ligaments—the bands connecting your bones—are stretched or torn, it’s called a sprain. Ankles, knees, and wrists are often affected in car accidents.
• Strains. Muscle or tendon damage is a strain. Back strains are especially common after car accidents.
• Contusions. These are deep bruises, often painful and swollen, caused by the impact of the accident.

The tricky thing about soft tissue damage from a car accident is it doesn’t always show up immediately. You might feel okay after the accident, only to find the pain increasing in the days or weeks that follow. Don’t ignore it. Get medical help and keep records of everything. This documentation is essential for linking your injuries to the accident should you pursue a legal claim.

How Much Can You Get for a Soft Tissue Injury in a Car Accident?

A soft tissue injury car accident settlement aims to compensate you for how your injury has affected you. Damages include obvious costs like medical bills and lost wages, as well as hidden costs—the pain, the missed activities, and the emotional distress.

So, how much can you get for a soft tissue injury in a car accident? It depends. Here are the factors that influence the average settlement for a soft tissue injury car accident:

• How bad are your injuries? More severe injuries requiring extensive treatment or having long-term effects generally fetch higher settlements.
• What are your medical expenses? Ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medications—everything you’ve spent and might need to pay in the future because of the accident is recoverable.
• How much income have you lost? You can recover lost wages if you can’t work because of your injuries. This also includes if you can now only work part-time or at a lower-paying job.
• What about your pain and suffering? The physical and emotional impact is also compensable—the pain, the limitations, the effect on your quality of life. Colorado has a cap on this type of compensation (known as noneconomic damages in legal terms), but a good lawyer will help you get the most you can within these limits.

The amount you could ultimately receive in a soft tissue injury car accident settlement can vary significantly. Some cases settle for a few thousand dollars, while others with more severe injuries requiring ongoing treatment can result in much larger settlements.

Don’t Miss Your Chance: Colorado Laws and Deadlines You Need to Know About

Colorado law has specific rules about car accident claims, including those involving soft tissue injuries. These rules can be confusing, but they’re crucial to your case.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The clock is ticking. You have a limited time to file a lawsuit after a car accident in Colorado—generally three years from the date of the accident (though there are some exceptions). If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to compensation.
• Who’s at fault? Colorado has a modified comparative negligence rule, so if you’re partially at fault for the accident, your compensation gets reduced. But you can’t recover anything if you’re 50% or more at fault.

Don’t let the legal system and Colorado laws intimidate you. An experienced lawyer can help you understand the rules, protect your rights, and work to get you the best possible outcome.

Why Choose Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover for Your Soft Tissue Injury Claim?

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we know soft tissue injuries are often dismissed or minimized. We’re here to tell you that your pain is valid, your experience matters, and you deserve to be compensated fairly.

Here’s why we’re the law firm you can trust to handle your soft tissue injury case:

• Colorado roots, proven experience. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience representing injury victims in Colorado. We know the law, the courts, and the insurance companies.
• Your case is our priority. We’re committed to giving you the personalized attention and support you need during this difficult time.

Taking on an insurance company or presenting an injury claim without legal guidance often means added stress and lower settlements. We’ll handle the time-consuming aspects of your claim—including communicating with insurance adjusters, gathering medical records, and negotiating settlements—so you can concentrate on recovery.

Get the Help You Need, Start Your Recovery Today

Your case is about ensuring your injury is recognized, and you aren’t left managing expenses caused by someone else’s actions. Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your soft tissue injury from a car accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.