Why Do Car Insurance Companies Dispute Soft Tissue Injury Claims?

A medical professional in blue scrubs examining the neck and shoulder of an older woman who is wincing in pain.

Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common injuries people suffer in car accidents, yet they’re also some of the hardest to prove in a personal injury claim. Whether it’s whiplash from a rear-end crash or a torn ACL from hitting your knee on the steering column, these injuries can be painful, long-lasting, and expensive to treat. Still, insurance companies often dispute these claims or offer settlements that fall far short of what victims truly deserve and need.

At Twenge + Twombley Law Firm, our car accident lawyers know the stress that follows a crash in South Carolina: medical bills piling up, time missed from work, and insurance companies looking out for their bottom line. One of the biggest frustrations victims face is realizing just how quickly insurers begin to question their injuries, especially when those injuries involve soft tissue. Knowing what tactics insurers use can help you protect your claim and get the compensation you deserve.

What are common soft tissue injuries in car wrecks?

Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and they’re common after car accidents. Some common crash-related soft tissue injuries include:

Whiplash: Neck strain from sudden forward/backward motion.
Sprains and strains: Stretched or torn ligaments and muscles.
Bursitis and tendonitis: Inflammation of joints and tendons caused by sudden impact or repetitive strain.
Contusions (bruises): Soft tissue damage from impact, often accompanied by swelling and tenderness.

Why are soft tissue injuries easier to question?

Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Unlike fractures or cuts, they often don’t show up clearly on X-rays or other diagnostic imaging. Because there isn’t always a “picture” of the injury, insurance adjusters may say there’s no objective proof you’re really hurt, even when you are.

Do delayed symptoms create doubt?

Soft tissue injuries often don’t show symptoms immediately. Pain, stiffness, or trouble moving can appear hours or even days after a crash. Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes use this delay to claim the injury isn’t related to the accident, but a doctor knows these symptoms can take time to develop.

How do insurance companies try to undervalue your claim?

Insurance companies use a variety of tactics to weaken or deny soft tissue claims:

Delayed evaluations — hoping you delay care so they can argue your injury isn’t linked to the crash.
Lowball settlement offers — hoping you’ll accept less than the true value of your claim out of frustration or financial stress.
Questioning treatment necessity — disputing the need for physical therapy or specialist visits.
Focusing on car damage, not injury — implying that low property damage means low bodily injury

Insurance adjusters often push back when pain is hard to measure or when recovery takes time, even if your injuries are real and well-documented.

Contact a South Carolina car accident lawyer for help with your claim

When it comes to soft tissue injuries, insurance companies often use gaps in medical evidence to question your pain, delay claims, or offer far less than your case is worth. That's why having an experienced car accident lawyer matters.

At Twenge + Twombley Law Firm, our attorneys provide personalized attention and relentless representation for those injured in South Carolina. We take the time to understand your situation, build a strong case backed by evidence, and stand up to insurance companies who try to pay you less than you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and your claim is being challenged, contact us for a free consultation and take the next step toward fair compensation and peace of mind.

"Twenge and Twombley are awesome! They helped me with my case, and their communication was amazing!" - Caleb M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐