You may have a "MIST" case and not even know it. What is a MIST case? It’s what insurance companies call auto collision claims involving connective tissue injuries, such as whiplash or sprains. MIST stands for "Minor Impact, Soft Tissue" insurance claims. These cases typically arise from collisions in which there is less than a few thousand dollars in property damage. And, more importantly, it’s the type of case the insurance company will often "red flag" to suggest they will offer you very little to settle your injury claim, despite the potential significance of your injuries.
Some lawyers hesitate to represent victims of MIST cases due to the inherent difficulty they present. You’ll also quickly learn that the insurance company will likely hardly budge, despite your pleas for fair compensation.
So what do you do? Your first step should be to contact a lawyer who has experience with these types of cases. The insurance company spends an exorbitant amount of money investigating, defending, and denying these types of claims, and by not consulting with a lawyer, you’ll likely be left very frustrated.
Just because your injuries don't involve broken bones or surgeries, it is not an indication of a low-value case. While they may be considered less severe than other injuries, connective tissue injuries can still result in long-term and expensive courses of treatment and rehabilitation. Some common connective tissue injuries resulting from auto collisions include:
SPRAINS. A sprain is a stretch or a tear of a ligament in a joint such as a knee or wrist. Sprains can be painful and require extensive physical therapy for recovery.
STRAINS. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often occurring in the back during an auto collision. Severe strains can require physical therapy and even surgery to repair torn tissue.
CONTUSIONS. Contusions are caused by a blow, such as contact with a steering wheel or dashboard in a car crash. Muscle fibers and connective tissue under the skin are crushed and could be permanently damaged without swift medical treatment.
"WHIPLASH." Known medically as a cervical strain or sprain, "whiplash" is a common auto collision connective tissue injury. Caused by the violent jerking of your neck back and forth, treatment is needed to prevent chronic pain in the back and neck. Victims also need to be evaluated for a possible coup contrecoup brain injury.
Any of these injuries could result in a permanent impairment loss of full function, which means that victims cannot perform their work duties, resulting in lost wages or even the loss of employment. MIST cases also emphasize the importance of prompt and thorough medical attention. No matter how you were injured, seek treatment for your injuries immediately. Often, the full extent of a person's injuries are not clear until days, weeks, or even months after the incident.
Whether you've suffered major injuries, such as broken bones, or simple back and neck pain as a result of a whiplash-type injury, you deserve to have your case evaluated by an experienced lawyer. Contact our office at 253.858.5434 for a free consultation. Although we are not currently scheduling in-person conferences, we are entirely available to meet by phone or video conference via Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger.