When thinking about injuries sustained during a car accident, many people often first think of broken bones, concussions, and more. However, soft tissue injuries are also extremely common after a crash. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you can hold them liable for paying damages for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses.
Claiming damages after a car accident is rarely easy, though, particularly when trying to obtain them for soft tissue injuries. This is largely because these injuries are not as visible as others. Below, our West Virginia car accident lawyer explains further.
Understanding Injuries to Soft Tissues
Soft tissue injuries include damage to the soft tissues in the body, such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Soft tissues are made up of separate fibers. When these fibers are torn, stretched, or inflamed, it results in a soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are often caused by trauma resulting from an accident, blunt force, or overuse of a certain part of the body. Soft tissue injuries are particularly common in car accidents because the occupants of the vehicle absorb the impact of the accident.
Even when an accident seems fairly minor, the force of the impact can cause the people inside a vehicle to jolt violently. These motions can cause soft tissues to stretch beyond their typical range of motion, which causes complete or partial tears in the individual fibers of the tissue. Blood cells can also become damaged due to the force of impact.
Strains
A strain of the soft tissues refers to damage to the tendons and muscles. Tendons connect the bones in the body to the muscles. Strains are caused when the tendons are stretched and torn, either partly or completely. Knee strains are very common after car accidents, as the knees often slam into the dashboard during a crash. Muscle weakness, muscle pain, and an inability to move the tendon or muscle are some of the most common symptoms of strains after car crashes. Muscle spasms are also common after a strain.
Sprains
Sprains are caused by damage to the ligaments. The ligaments are the connection between the bones and joints. They also make joints more stable by controlling their movement. Many car accident victims grab the steering wheel when trying to brace themselves against the impact, so wrist pain due to a soft tissue injury in a car accident is very common after a crash.
A sprain can either be complete or partial. Partial tears often heal on their own in just a few weeks.
However, when the soft tissue is torn completely, it may require surgery to fully repair. Redness and bruising, swelling, and a reduced range of motion are a few of the most common symptoms of a sprain.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that affects the soft tissues in the neck. This is the most common type of neck injury after a car crash. Whiplash occurs when the neck snaps violently back and forth, tearing the fibers of the soft tissues located in the neck. Neck joints and ligaments can also become damaged due to the motion. Neck stiffness, neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash after an accident. To stabilize the soft tissues after a crash, a neck brace is often required.
It is important to note that symptoms of whiplash often do not appear right away. Instead, accident victims often do not experience symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after an accident. Sometimes, it may take a full week before the injury is discovered. Accident victims should seek medical attention immediately after any car accident so injuries can be discovered right away.
Contusions
More commonly known as bruises, contusions refer to broken blood vessels underneath the surface of the skin. Blunt trauma is usually the cause of contusions. During a car accident, the body slamming against the dashboard, steering wheel, or window can cause contusions. Skin discoloration is the most common sign of a contusion. The skin can also change color from black to blue, purple, green, and yellow. Contusions are also typically tender to the touch.
Medical Treatment for Car Accident Soft Tissue Injuries
It is critical to contact law enforcement to report the accident and then seek immediate medical treatment after any car crash. Soft tissue injuries are not as visible as other types of injuries, but a doctor will be able to detect them so you can receive the treatment you need as soon as possible. Additionally, if you wait until a soft tissue injury starts to feel painful, it could worsen the initial injury. Obtaining medical treatment will also document your injuries, which can help you prove the nature and severity of them when you file a compensation claim.
Soft tissue injuries are often diagnosed through diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan or x-ray. A doctor may order one of these after hearing about your symptoms and where you are experiencing pain. While some soft tissue injuries are very minor and require only anti-inflammatory medications, other injuries require surgery to repair them.
You may also require more than just initial treatment for a soft tissue injury. You may also require chiropractic care and physical therapy in the future. You mustn’t file a claim until you fully understand the type of medical treatment you will need.
Our Car Accident Lawyers in West Virginia Can Help with a Soft Tissue Injury Settlement
If you have sustained a soft tissue injury after a crash, you are entitled to fair compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. After seeking the medical attention you need after a crash, it is important to speak to a West Virginia car accident lawyer. At Kaufman & McPherson, our experienced attorneys can determine who is liable for the crash and hold them accountable for paying the full and fair settlement to which you are entitled. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation and to get the legal advice you need.
