Soft tissue injuries are damage to the body's non-bone structures: muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia. The most common after a car accident are cervical strain (whiplash), lumbar strain (low back), and shoulder strains. These injuries are real and painful, but they don't appear on standard X-rays.
Insurance carriers know this and routinely undervalue soft-tissue cases. The defense playbook: 'no fracture means no real injury.' The plaintiff's response: properly documented MRI findings, physical therapy notes, functional limitations, and treating-physician testimony.
Recovery times vary widely. Some soft-tissue injuries resolve in weeks; others develop into chronic pain syndromes that last years. The case value reflects the duration and severity of treatment, plus any lasting impairment.