If you recently suffered an injury in an Ohio car accident, you might be wondering how much your soft tissue injury settlement could be worth. These types of injuries, such as whiplash or muscle strain, can be excruciating, even if they don’t show up on an X-ray. And while you may have avoided broken bones, that doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to compensation.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all number for soft tissue settlements. Each case is different. However, several factors can affect how much you can recover, and understanding those can help you make smart decisions about your next steps.
To learn more and schedule a complimentary consultation, please call (419) 455-1410 or contact us online.
What Is the Average Payout for Soft Tissue Injury?
One of the most frustrating things about researching injury claims online is that you’ll see a wide range of numbers—some say $5,000 to $10,000, others say $20,000 to $50,000 or more. There’s no universal average soft tissue injury settlement because no two accidents are alike.
Your case depends on many unique factors, including:
- The severity and type of injury,
- The impact on your daily life and ability to work,
- The strength of the medical documentation,
- Whether the at-fault party disputes liability,
- How long your recovery takes, and
- Whether it results in a permanent condition.
In other words, your settlement isn’t just about your injuries. It’s about how well your case is built, documented, and negotiated.
Common Soft Tissue Injuries in Car Accidents
Soft tissue damage in car accident settlements often involves injuries that don’t show up on X-rays but still cause significant pain and disruption.
These include:
- Whiplash—a neck injury caused by a sudden jolt, common in rear-end crashes;
- Muscle strains or sprains—typically in the back, neck, or shoulder;
- Tendon or ligament injuries—like torn ACLs or rotator cuff injuries;
- Contusions—like severe, deep bruising;
- Herniated or bulging discs—which may not be visible on initial scans; and
- Myofascial pain syndrome—chronic pain in connective tissue.
These injuries may not seem dramatic, but can result in weeks or months of recovery, physical therapy, and lost income.
Damages You Can Recover Compensation For
In a soft tissue injury car accident case, the goal is to make you financially whole again.
That means you can pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including doctor visits, imaging, chiropractic care, and physical therapy;
- Lost wages if you missed work due to your injury;
- Future medical treatment for ongoing care or long-term issues;
- Pain and suffering to compensate for the physical and emotional toll; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life if the injury limits your daily activities or hobbies.
Even without broken bones, these damages can add up quickly and should not be minimized by the insurance company.
Factors That Affect Your Soft Tissue Injury Settlement
Your settlement amount can vary widely depending on several key factors:
1. The Severity of the Injury
A minor strain might heal in a few weeks, while a torn ligament requiring surgery will increase your compensation. The more invasive the treatment and the longer the recovery, the higher the potential settlement.
2. Medical Documentation
Your medical records matter. Gaps in treatment, failure to follow through with care, or lack of diagnosis from a qualified provider can weaken your claim.
3. Time Off Work
If your injury kept you from working for weeks or permanently affected your ability to do your job, you may recover more for lost income and diminished earning capacity.
4. Liability
Ohio follows a comparative fault rule. That means your compensation can be reduced if you were partly to blame. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault, your total settlement would be reduced by 20%. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation for your injuries.
5. Insurance Policy Limits
Even a strong case can hit a ceiling if the at-fault driver has limited insurance coverage. If you have underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your policy, you may be able to file a claim to recover additional compensation for your damages.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer at Bensinger Legal Services
Insurance companies are notorious for minimizing a soft tissue injury settlement. The adjuster may argue that your pain is exaggerated, unrelated to the crash, or not severe enough to warrant compensation. That’s where having an experienced personal injury lawyer matters.
At Bensinger Legal Services, we understand how real and disruptive these injuries are. Aaron Bensinger doesn’t treat your case like a number and won’t let an insurance company get away with lowballing your claim.
Whether your case settles or goes to trial, we’ll fight to make sure the insurance company takes your soft tissue injuries seriously. Call us at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online to schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can help.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
Loading...