Port Charlotte Soft Tissue Injury Attorney
Soft tissue injuries may initially seem small in comparison to the emotional impact of being hit by a driver on the road or the frustration of having your vehicle out of commission, but soft tissue injuries should not be ignored after a traffic collision. These injuries can impact your ability to maneuver through your daily life, whether it be with tasks at home or duties at work. If you were injured by another party on the road, they need to be held liable for their actions. A Port Charlotte soft tissue injury attorney can help you with your personal injury case so that you do not become burdened with the financial costs of seeking appropriate medical care.
WHAT IS A SOFT TISSUE INJURY?
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists the most common soft tissues injured as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Other soft tissue in the body includes the skin, fibrous tissue, fat, blood vessels, and nerves. In the case of a motor vehicle accident, the soft tissue damage is considered an acute injury because it happened suddenly as the result of a blow to the body. Examples of soft tissue damage include tears, strains, sprains, and lacerations. Often, soft tissues are damaged in tandem with other serious injuries. If you fracture bones or dislocate a joint, there will likely be soft tissue damage in that area as well. Symptoms to look out for include:
- Swelling;
- Pain;
- Bruising or discoloration;
- Numbness;
- Muscle spasms;
- Inability to control a body part; and
- Body parts that look like they have sustained a fracture.
Motor vehicle accidents, particularly rear-end accidents, are a frequent cause of whiplash. Harvard Health estimates that over a million Americans experience whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck and back caused by the head jerking forward and then snapping back rapidly. They report that 10 percent of those injured from whiplash experience chronic pain for years to come.
COMPENSATION FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES AND MORE
As you seek treatment for your soft tissue injuries, you will quickly find out that the medical expenses add up. Filing a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance will ensure you get compensated for the medical bills in addition to the following:
- Future physical therapy or medical appointments you may need;
- Lost wages and future lost earning potential;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering; and
- More.
Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means more than one party can be deemed responsible for a motor vehicle crash. For instance, if Driver A ran a red light and ran into Driver B, but Driver B was speeding excessively at the time, Driver A may only be found 80 percent at fault. As a result, Driver A would only be held liable for 80 percent of the damages. It is important prior to filing a claim that you are able to prove that you were following the rules of the road to maximize your claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you with investigating the crash and collecting all of the medical information, so that you get the best outcome possible.
CALL OUR PORT CHARLOTTE OFFICES TODAY
Vehicle accidents are traumatic and it takes time to recover from them. As you focus your attention on getting healthy again, let the Port Charlotte soft tissue injury attorneys at Hale Law handle the legal issues. Contact our offices at 941-735-4529 to schedule a free consultation today.