If you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury from a recent car accident, you probably want to know what your settlement could be worth.
In Texas, you could expect sums around the tens of thousands, but your final payout really depends on the specific circumstances of your personal injury case and several critical factors, which we’ll break down in detail below.
The only way for a car accident victim to get an accurate estimate of their case’s value is to have an experienced lawyer review the details—and that starts with a free consultation with No Bull Law. We’ll carefully review your situation and help you understand exactly what compensation you might be entitled to.
What’s the Average Settlement for Soft Tissue Injuries in Texas?
Pinning down an exact amount for soft tissue injury car accident settlement in Texas can be tricky, mainly because settlements typically include more than just physical injuries. That said, the average settlement for car accidents in Texas is about $22,000, while the median payout is closer to $15,000.
As mentioned earlier, the only way to determine how much your soft tissue injury claim could be worth is to consult with a personal injury attorney, as they’ll take into account every factor related to your case.
Several important factors shape the value of a soft tissue injury case, including:
1. How Badly Were You Hurt?
The more serious and long-lasting the injury is, the higher the potential settlement amount.
Insurance companies look at how serious the physical damage is, whether there’s lasting impairment, and how your symptoms have evolved. Even a minor injury can develop into a more complex condition. That’s why it’s important to have your condition properly diagnosed and documented.
2. What Medical Costs Did You Incur?
Your settlement should cover all medical costs related to your injury, including emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medications, and any necessary medical devices like braces or slings.
Future medical expenses also play a role, especially if you need ongoing treatment for chronic pain. Higher medical bills generally lead to higher settlements, but only if they are well-documented and directly tied to the auto accident — and will be capped by the available coverage.
3. Did You Miss Time at Work?
If your soft tissue injury from a motor vehicle accident caused you to miss work, your settlement should include economic damages. These should cover the time you took off and any long-term impact on your ability to earn.
If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or reduces your working capacity, that loss must factor into the settlement.
4. Who Caused the Accident?
Texas uses modified comparative negligence laws, which means your settlement depends on how much of the accident was your fault.
You’re entitled to full compensation if the other driver was 100% responsible for the car crash. But if you share some of the blame, the insurer will reduce your payout based on your percentage of fault.
The catch is that if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault in the auto accident, you won't be allowed to recover any damages.
5. How Much Pain Did You Experience?
Soft tissue injuries don’t always heal quickly. Beyond the initial physical pain, they can lead to significant long-term discomfort that may limit mobility, disrupt sleep, or create problems handling everyday tasks.
Texas allows compensation for pain and suffering, which is classified under non-economic damages. Insurance adjusters typically use either the multiplier method (where medical bills are multiplied by a factor of 1 to 5, depending on the severity of pain and suffering) or the per diem method (assigning a daily dollar amount for each day the injury affects you).
6. What Are the Insurance Limits?
In Texas, drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injuries. This is just the minimum requirement, and many drivers opt for policies with higher coverage limits.
However, you may still face compensation caps if damages for your injury exceed the at-fault driver's policy limits, whether that's $30,000 or more. You may need to find alternative avenues like underinsured motorist coverage or filing a lawsuit in these scenarios.
7. Do You Have a Good Lawyer on Your Side?
Having a personal injury attorney on your side can make a huge difference in your settlement.
Insurance companies are in the business of paying out as little as possible after a motor vehicle accident, and without legal representation, you might not get the full compensation you deserve.
This is often the case if you're dealing with a soft tissue injury case, a neck injury settlement, or ongoing chronic pain that isn’t immediately visible on medical scans.
A lawyer experienced in personal injury law knows how to push back against lowball offers, negotiate for a fair payout, and bring in expert medical opinions to strengthen your case. If your soft tissue injury claim involves significant non-economic damages, having legal representation can help factor these losses into your settlement.
Aside from taking the weight of dealing with a claim off your shoulders, having a personal injury lawyer advocate for you can also increase your payout by 3-3.5 times more.
For a better idea of how a lawyer can help strengthen your case, chat with the experienced team at No Bull Law. We’ll thoroughly evaluate your personal injury claim and help you secure the payout you deserve.
Understanding the factors that affect your settlement is a great start. To turn that knowledge into a higher payout, you’ll need a strategic approach.
Tips to Maximize Your Soft Tissue Injury Settlement
Here are some practical strategies to help ensure you receive the maximum payout:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Even if you don’t feel severe pain immediately, soft tissue injuries like whiplash injury can take hours or even days to set in fully. Insurance adjusters look for gaps in treatment to argue that your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Getting medical care right away ensures your medical record accurately reflects the impact of your car crash.
- Document everything: Since soft tissue injuries don’t always show up on X-rays or MRIs the way a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury might, clear documentation is key to strengthening your personal injury claim. The more evidence you have, the harder it is for the insurance company to dispute your injury.
- Follow the doctor's advice: If your doctor recommends physical therapy, chiropractic care, or other treatments, stick with it. Missing appointments or stopping treatment early can be used against you, with insurers arguing that your injury wasn’t serious enough to warrant a higher payout. This can be especially important for a mid or moderate injury, where insurers might try to downplay the severity of your condition.
- Hire an experienced lawyer: Hiring a personal injury lawyer can make a huge difference in your case. From day one, a lawyer can help you with the claims process, handle negotiations, and work to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
- Don't settle too quickly: Insurance companies often start with a lowball offer, hoping you’ll take it quickly. Soft tissue injuries can take weeks or months to heal, and accepting a settlement too soon could mean missing out on compensation for future medical costs if your condition worsens.
Take the Pain Out of A Soft Tissue Injury Settlement with No Bull Law
Since soft tissue injuries aren't always obvious, insurers often underestimate their severity and offer amounts that barely cover your medical bills, let alone the long-term pain or disruption to your life.
But even if soft tissue damage isn't as visible as a broken bone, the pain, medical expenses, and lost wages you experience are very real, and your settlement should reflect that.
At No Bull Law, we understand exactly how insurers operate, and we won't let them shortchange you. Reach out today for a free consultation.
