Have you noticed an aching neck after a car accident? Perhaps some soreness or tension in your ligaments? If so, you might have sustained soft tissue injuries. People who experience these types of injuries might just shrug them off, as they don’t appear severe. However, such injuries can worsen over time and could warrant civil action in New Jersey.
In NJ, you can often file a lawsuit for soft tissue injuries after a car accident. Unlike other injuries, soft tissue damage can be harder to identify after a collision. That’s why it’s important for the success of your case that you immediately visit a doctor after being involved in a car accident. However, it’s important to check your car insurance information. If you have a no-fault insurance policy, New Jersey’s no-fault insurance laws might prevent you from suing.
At Legal Care New Jersey, we seek to help victims with minor and severe injuries alike. Even the simplest injuries can worsen over time and severely impact your life. For a free consultation with our experienced team, call the NJ car accident attorneys at Legal Care today at (732) 838-9769.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident in NJ?
Car accidents can cause all sorts of injuries. From physical to emotional damages, experiencing a car accident can be life-altering in many ways. But what about the injuries that are harder to see? If you’ve noticed soft tissue injuries following a car accident, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver.
Any time you’re injured in a car accident or taxi accident caused by a negligent driver, you should consider legal action. Personal injury lawsuits generally revolve around the medical costs for treatment and the potential lost wages the injury caused. With soft tissue injuries, the damage may not be immediately apparent following an accident. Victims of a car accident can believe they’ve been left unscathed, but then notice soreness and discomfort weeks or months later.
Soft tissue injuries from car accidents are often the result of whiplash. Whiplash is a common car accident injury caused by quick movements of the head. Left untreated, whiplash can become degenerative and result in further soft tissue damage. The relief of not being seriously injured can cause people to ignore more subtle injuries like whiplash that might worsen over time.
Of course, soft tissue injuries can manifest in other ways apart from whiplash. You might have soft tissue injuries if you notice soreness in your ligaments or tendons after a car accident. In that case, you might also be able to sue for damages.
Suing for soft tissue injuries can be more complicated than filing a lawsuit for other traumatic injuries caused by a car accident. That’s why it’s important to enlist the help of experienced NJ car accident attorneys to help with your case.
How to Identify Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident in NJ
Remember, soft tissue injuries can take a while to show. That’s because the initial relief of not being more severely injured after a car accident can overshadow your pain or discomfort. Adrenaline also helps mask injuries, and many soft-tissue injuries take time to “set in.” However, if soft tissue injuries are left untreated, they can worsen. But how can you begin to pinpoint soft tissue injuries if they’re so difficult to identify?
First, following a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention. The adrenaline and shock you might experience after a collision can prevent you from noticing soft tissue injuries right away. That’s why it’s necessary to visit a hospital after an accident. There, a medical professional can better assess your potential injuries and recognize less obvious damage.
Even if a doctor clears you following a car accident, that doesn’t mean that you haven’t sustained soft tissue injuries. So, monitor how you feel over the coming days and weeks. If you notice any soreness or pain that isn’t going away, visit a doctor again.
Persistently seeking medical attention can prove that your injuries were a direct result of the car accident and that you consistently took action to get yourself help. Because soft tissue injuries can be more difficult to receive financial compensation for in a lawsuit, it’s important to take the initiative and receive the treatment you need. Doing so can support your case if you intend to sue the negligent driver.
Keep a lookout for any bruises, soreness, or tension. Ignoring soft tissue injuries from a car accident can cause worsen the damage. Be vigilant in monitoring how you feel after a collision. Doing so can prevent your injuries from getting worse and can help support your potential case.
If you’re unsure whether or not your injuries warrant litigation, reach out to an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer. The team of NJ injury attorneys at Legal Care offers free consultations.
Restrictions on Car Accident Lawsuits in NJ
Each state has its own laws revolving around auto accidents. There are fault states, no-fault states, and no-fault choice states. These laws can determine whether or not an injured person can sue for damages at all after a car accident.
In no-fault choice states like New Jersey, drivers can decide whether or not they’d like to purchase PIP, or personal injury protection, coverage. This additional insurance can help cover the medical costs of a car accident, regardless of who is to blame for the collision. However, having no-fault insurance can restrict your ability to sue in New Jersey.
After an auto accident in New Jersey, all parties involved must file a claim with their insurance provider. No-fault laws can eliminate the need to file civil charges for damages following an accident. Your PIP insurance can help cover medical costs for injuries sustained in an accident. However, you should always talk to a lawyer to see if you have other options, as these damages might be lower than you need.
If your PIP insurance fails to cover all of your expenses following an accident, you can still sue a negligent driver in New Jersey, depending on the severity of your injury. That’s why it’s important to understand the fault laws in your state. Opting to purchase PIP can help protect you from financial difficulties following an auto accident and remove the need to sue for damages.
Our New Jersey Attorneys Can Help if You Sustained Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident
When you’ve been hurt in a car accident, no injury is insignificant. To seek the financial compensation you deserve after a car accident, call the NJ car accident attorneys at Legal Care New Jersey today for a free consultation at (732) 838-9769.
