Many car crashes result in damage to muscles, tendons and/or ligaments. Crash victims could suffer sprains, strains or even tearing as their back, head and neck are jostled around during and after the collision.

These are known as soft-tissue injuries and they can result in significant pain and limited mobility that could affect victims for quite a long time. Despite how severe these injuries may be, insurance companies often deny or devalue these claims.

At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, we understand how severe soft-tissue injuries can be and how important it is to recover full compensation for medical bills and other damages. Our Austin auto accident lawyers have helped countless crash victims secure compensation over more than two decades serving Texas residents.

Below, learn more about the challenges involved in securing compensation for a soft-tissue injury.

How do Insurance Companies View Soft-Tissue Injuries?

Insurance companies are always looking for a reason to deny a claim or at least make a lowball settlement offer. Sometimes they deny a claim and give the victim a flimsy excuse that may sound completely ridiculous based on the available evidence.

When you consider the insurance company’s motivation when victims file claims, you can see why it is often difficult for victims for recover fair compensation for a soft-tissue injury claim. Insurance companies are already skeptical of these injuries and they know judges and juries often are as well. Unfortunately, common stereotypes about these injuries from movies and TV shows feed into the idea these injuries are exaggerated.

It can be difficult to prove a soft-tissue injury because it does not show up in an x-ray or MRI. Doctors are relying on patients to explain the pain they are feeling and how it is responding to treatment.

Sometimes insurance companies have a set range of compensation they typically offer for soft-tissue injuries. If you reject an offer for a soft-tissue injury, they may be less likely to work with you on another settlement because they may like their chances if you were to bring the case before a jury.

Many crash victims recover the compensation they need for a soft-tissue injury. However, it is important to understand how insurance companies tend to view these claims and take steps to help protect your interests.

Steps to Help Validate Your Case

While an attorney can manage the legal process for you, it is important to take steps to help strengthen your case. For example, it is important to go to the hospital right after suffering a soft-tissue injury and give the doctor a detailed explanation of all your pain. Your statements will be documented in your medical record, which should make it harder for the insurance company to dispute the connection between your pain and the crash.

If you wait a day or more to seek treatment, you may be giving the insurance company room to dispute the connection between your soft-tissue injury and the crash.

After you seek treatment the first time, be sure to attend any follow-up appointments and see specialists the doctor refers you to. If you were instructed to avoid certain activities to avoid aggravating your injury, follow the doctor’s orders. If you start noticing new symptoms, report them right away.

If you can show you are sticking to the treatment regimen, it helps to prove the severity of your injuries. If you were to stop, the insurance company may use this is a pretext to devalue your claim. How badly can you be hurt if you stopped treatment? At least, that is how the insurance company is likely to view a stoppage or pause in treatment.

It is also important not to exaggerate your injuries when talking to your doctor, the insurance company or your attorney. Let the medical records speak for themselves. Insurance companies already think these injuries are exaggerated and if they find out you have been exaggerating, they may attack your credibility.

You should strongly consider finding experienced legal representation for your claim. An experienced attorney should know how to build a strong case and counter the insurance company’s attempts to deny or devalue your claim.

Need Help with the Insurance Company?

Many people find out insurance companies are not their friends when they file a claim after a crash. They may be shocked by the lowball offer the insurance company makes soon after the crash.

That is why it is important to review the situation with an experienced attorney. The lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC have helped many car crash victims secure compensation for their damages.

The initial consultation is free of charge and there are no obligations. We are not paid for representing you unless you get paid.

Give us a call today to learn more. 512-477-7333