Can a driver in Metairie, LA sue for a soft tissue injury?
If a motorist in Metairie suffered a soft tissue injury in an accident that involved another driver, they may have the grounds to file suit against him/her. In order to file a lawsuit against a driver, the person who suffered the injuries must be able to prove the other driver was negligent in some way and their negligence caused them harm. For example, if a driver made an unsafe lane change and the maneuver initiated the accident, the injured driver could use this as their proof of negligence.
Now, although most people associate lawsuits with severe or catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, a driver may have a valid case against another motorist if their injury is classified as an acute soft tissue injury. Acute soft injuries happen when someone experiences sudden trauma, such as a car accident. Some common acute soft tissue injuries include:
Sprains
A sprain is defined as a “stretch and/or tear of a ligament, a strong band of connective tissue that connects the end of one bone with another.” The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says the ankles, knees, and wrists are most vulnerable to sprains. Because ligaments provide support and stabilization, when they are stretched or torn, it can cause a person to become immobilized as sometimes, these injuries may require surgery. Not only is surgery painful and scary, but it is also costly.
Strains
A strain happens when a muscle or tendon becomes injured. Strains range in severity from a “simple stretch” to a “partial or complete tear of the muscle and tendon.” Some of the symptoms that are often associated with a strain include “pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness, swelling, inflammation, and cramping.” If an individual who was involved in a car crash suffered a strain, they may be required to undergo medical treatment and even take a few days off from work to recover. Again, this can be costly to the injured party, especially because they didn’t plan for the incident to happen which could have been avoided had the other driver operated their vehicle more carefully.
Contusions
A contusion happens when “a direct blow by a blunt object strikes part of the body, crushing underlying muscle fibers and connective tissue without breaking the skin.” Although the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests that most contusions heal with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, they could lead to “permanent damage to the soft tissues.”
How does a driver know when they have a valid case against another driver?
If a driver was recently involved in an accident in Metairie that left them with an acute soft tissue injury or another type of injury, they should contact Walker Daly, LLP to discuss the matter with a Metairie, LA personal injury lawyer. A LA personal injury attorney is the professional who is best to determine whether legal action is warranted. Walker Daly, LLP works to protect the rights of those who have been injured by negligent drivers and is capable of helping a victim obtain the compensation they are due.
Walker Daly, LLP can be reached at:
3939 N. Causeway Blvd., Ste 200
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: 504-832-0999
Website: www.walkerdalyllp.com
