Whiplash & Soft Tissue Injuries

Michigan Whiplash & Soft Tissue Injury Claims

Whiplash and soft tissue injuries are among the most frequently dismissed — and most frequently undercompensated — injuries in personal injury law. Insurance companies routinely characterize these injuries as minor, but anyone who has suffered a serious whiplash injury, torn ligament, or chronic muscle damage knows the reality: ongoing pain, limited mobility, inability to work, and a dramatically reduced quality of life. At Koussan Law, we fight to ensure these injuries are taken seriously and compensated fully.

Understanding Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries

Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are rapidly forced back and forth, stretching and tearing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the cervical spine. This commonly happens in rear-end collisions but can occur in any type of motor vehicle accident. Soft tissue injuries — including sprains, strains, tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and herniated or bulging discs — can cause debilitating chronic pain that persists for months or years after the initial trauma.

Michigan No-Fault and Soft Tissue Injuries

Under Michigan's no-fault insurance system, your own auto insurance covers medical expenses and wage loss benefits regardless of fault through PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits under MCL § 500.3107. However, to pursue a third-party claim for pain and suffering against the at-fault driver, you must demonstrate a "serious impairment of body function" under MCL § 500.3135. Insurance companies aggressively argue that whiplash and soft tissue injuries do not meet this threshold. We know how to prove otherwise with proper medical documentation, objective diagnostic imaging, and testimony from treating physicians.

Building a Strong Soft Tissue Case

The key to winning a whiplash or soft tissue case is thorough medical documentation from day one. We work with orthopedic specialists, neurologists, and physical therapists to document the full extent of your injuries, establish causation, and project future treatment needs. MRI findings, nerve conduction studies, and functional capacity evaluations are critical evidence that transforms a "minor" soft tissue claim into a case worth significant compensation.

Don't let an insurer minimize your pain. Call Koussan Law at (313) 800-0000 for a free consultation.