If you've been in a car crash and suffered a connective tissue injury (what insurance companies call "soft tissue injuries"), you shouldn't hesitate to speak with a lawyer.

Connective tissue injuries (what insurance companies call "soft tissue injuries") such as whiplash are incredibly common after an auto collision. However, it might take hours, days, or even weeks to realize that you’ve been injured. The longer it takes to diagnose an injury, the harder it can be to prove that the collision caused it. As a result, it can be challenging to successfully recover the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve suffered a connective tissue injury in an auto collision, you should not hesitate to speak with a lawyer. We know how much a connective tissue injury can interfere with your life. We also know how important money can be as you fight to get back on your feet. Our goal is to make sure that you’re fairly compensated for your injuries.

HOW DO AUTO COLLISIONS CAUSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE INJURIES? Connective tissue injuries are those that affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When you’re in an auto collision, the force of impact can cause your body to overextend, stretch, or move in ways that aren’t natural. This overextension causes connective tissue damage.

Auto collisions can cause many different types of connective tissue injuries, including:

* Whiplash

* Sprains/Strains

* Contusions

* Brachial Plexus Lesions

* Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

* Tendinitis

* Bursitis, and

* Rotator Cuff Injuries

It’s important to be conscious of any side effects or pains that you experience in the days after a collision. If you believe that you’ve suffered a connective tissue injury, visit your doctor right away.

PROVING THAT YOUR COLLISION CAUSED YOUR INJURIES. You’re only entitled to compensation for injuries that were caused by the collision. Sometimes proving that a car crash caused an injury is straightforward. This typically happens when injuries–such as broken bones or amputated limbs–are visible and apparent immediately after a collision. There’s generally no question about whether or not the crash caused those injuries. Other times, it can be more difficult to establish a causal link between a collision and injury. This tends to happen when injuries aren’t visible or apparent right away. Since a connective tissue injury can take a while to manifest, it can be difficult to prove that the collision caused it.

An experienced lawyer will know how to handle these types of challenges. We know how to investigate your case and gather the evidence that’s necessary to establish a link between the collision and your injury. We’ll work closely with experts, including medical professionals and accident reconstructionists, to identify precisely how your injury was sustained.

UNDERSTANDING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF YOUR INJURY. Most connective tissue injuries will heal in the months after your collision. During this time, you may not be able to work and bring in an income. If this is true, you have the right to obtain compensation from the person who caused your injury. You can request to be reimbursed for:

* Lost wages and income during your recovery

* Vacation and sick days, and

* Other benefits you were forced to use while recovering.

There may be times when a connective tissue injury lingers and does not heal. If this happens, your ability to work could be compromised for a long time. You didn’t ask to suffer a debilitating injury. You shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences on your own.

If your connective tissue injury results in a temporary or permanent disability, you may be entitled to damages for your reduced earning capacity. In other words, you can be compensated for the difference between what you would have earned without your injury and what you are capable of earning now.

It can be tough to know how much your personal injury case is worth. If you decide to pursue compensation on your own, an insurance company will probably have the final say. In turn, you probably will not be fully compensated for your injury. The best thing you can do is to hire an attorney to handle your case.

FILING A TIMELY PERSONAL INJURY CASE. You could miss out on the compensation you deserve if you wait too long to file your personal injury claim. The statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to initiate a legal claim after a collision. Generally speaking, in Washington you have three years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury claim; in Idaho, it's only two years.

If you or a loved one has suffered a connective tissue injury and would like to learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us for immediate assistance. Call our office today at 253.858.5434 to schedule a free initial consultation.