You may have a MIST case and not even know it.
What is a MIST case? Insurance companies call car accident claims involving soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash or sprains. Minor Impact Soft Tissue cases typically arise from accidents with less than $1,500 in property damage. And, more importantly, it’s the type of case the insurance company will often "red flag" to suggest they will offer you very little to settle your injury claim, despite the potential significance of your injuries.
Some attorneys hesitate to represent victims of MIST cases due to the inherent difficulty they present. You’ll also quickly learn that the insurance company will likely never budge, despite your pleas for fair compensation.
What Do You Do If You Have a MIST case?
Your first step should be to contact a personal injury lawyer who has specific and extensive experience with MIST cases. The insurance company spends an exorbitant amount of money investigating, defending and denying these types of claims, and by not consulting with a lawyer, you’ll likely be left very frustrated.
Common Minor Impact Soft Tissue Injuries
The mere absence of broken bones is not an indication of a low-value case. While they may be considered less severe than other injuries, soft tissue injuries can still result in long-term and expensive treatment and rehabilitation courses.
Some common soft-tissue injuries resulting from car accidents include:
- Sprains. A sprain is a stretch or a tear of a ligament in a joint such as a knee or wrist. Sprains can be painful and require extensive physical therapy for recovery.
- Strains. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often occurring in the back during a car accident. Severe strains can require physical therapy and even surgery to repair torn tissue.
- Contusions. Contusions are caused by a blow, such as a contact with a steering wheel or dashboard in a car crash. Muscle fibers and connective tissue under the skin are crushed and could be permanently damaged without swift medical treatment.
- Whiplash. Known medically as a cervical strain or sprain, whiplash is a common car accident soft-tissue injury. Caused by the violent jerking of your neck back and forth, treatment is needed to prevent chronic pain in the back and neck. Victims also need to be evaluated for a possible coup contrecoup brain injury.
Any of these injuries could result in loss of full function, which means that victims cannot perform their professional duty, resulting in lost wages or even the loss of employment. MIST cases also emphasize the importance of prompt and thorough medical attention. No matter how you were injured, seek treatment for your injuries immediately. Oftentimes, the full extent of a person's injuries is not clear until days, weeks, or even months after the incident.
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