When you are injured in an accident in Kentucky, you can file a claim with your own no-fault insurance to recover compensation. You may even be able to file a claim against another party, such as another driver, so long as they are the one responsible for the accident and your injuries.
However, in either of these cases, you still have the burden as the victim of proving the extent of your injuries to ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve. With some injuries, this might not be that difficult, but with soft tissue injuries, it can sometimes be more of a challenge.
This is because many insurance companies view soft tissue injuries as minor injuries that don’t affect the victim’s life much, which means they don’t think the victim deserves to be awarded much money, if any. But soft tissue injuries can still require medical treatment that you should not have to pay for out of pocket. And some soft tissue injuries can even be serious and debilitating.
So, how then can you prove a soft tissue injury after a Kentucky car accident to win the compensation you deserve? Continue reading to find out.
Common Types of Soft Tissue Injuries From Car Accidents
Soft tissue refers to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in your body. So when any of these parts of the body are damaged, it is considered a soft tissue injury. And as the body is full of soft tissues, many different kinds of soft tissue injuries can occur, depending on what part of the body was impacted.
Some common types of soft tissue injuries that can occur in an accident include the following:
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc
- Sprains and strains
- Contusions and swelling
- Muscle tears
- Lacerations
- Joint dysfunction
How a Soft Tissue Injury Can Affect Your Life
While some soft tissue injuries can be minor and may only require rest, ice, and elevation, others can be quite painful and lead to longer-term symptoms and even complications. Such symptoms can include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Joint stiffness and limited mobility
- Back problems
- Numbness and tingling
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Cognitive issues
Severe soft tissue injuries could require long-term treatment to heal, such as surgery or soft tissue injury physical therapy. And in some cases, symptoms can linger long-term and may never fully go away. This means you could have to pay expensive medical bills, and your injury could even affect your ability to live your life—which is why it is crucial that you prove your soft tissue injury to get the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Proving Soft Tissue Injuries to Win a Fair Settlement
The key to proving causation in a personal injury case, including a soft tissue injury, is to provide as much evidence as possible. This way, insurance will have no doubt of your pain and suffering or any other potential damages you have suffered as a result of the injury, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
Such evidence that you can and should use to prove your soft tissue injury includes:
- Medical records: As soon as you know that you are injured, you should seek medical attention right away. Documentation showing you were in enough pain to go to the doctor can help prove that you deserve compensation for your injury. Medical records can also prove the extent of your injury and what treatments are required, which can also help you get a higher settlement.
- Doctor’s statements: In some cases, it can even be helpful to get a doctor’s statement that discusses your injury, your treatment, and your recovery outcome. This can also include a doctor’s statement saying whether or not you can work while recovering from the injury. If the injury limits your ability to work, then you deserve more money to compensate you for potential lost income.
- Imaging test results: Actual photos or scans from imaging tests can also help show insurance companies or the court how severe your injury is.
- Photos of your injuries and the accident scene: You should also take pictures of the accident while still on the scene, if possible. Showing how bad the accident was can also help prove what happened and that you were injured. You can also take pictures of your injuries if they are apparent, such as bruising, swelling, redness, etc.
- An injury journal: An injury or pain journal can also be useful when trying to prove a soft tissue injury. If you can document how much pain you are in every day and how much the injury is affecting your day-to-day life, it can prove that your injury should be taken seriously and is more than just a minor inconvenience.
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
If you suffered a soft tissue injury car accident and are struggling to get the compensation you deserve, a soft tissue injury lawyer from McCoy & Sparks can assist you. We can help you file your claim, gather evidence, and stand up to the insurance company to ensure they pay you fairly.
McCoy & Sparks is continually recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms. We represent thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service. Our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs to help achieve the best possible outcome.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our Kentucky car accident attorneys today.