Car accidents often cause soft tissue injury, leading to pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you’ve suffered soft tissue injury from a collision, contact the car accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm today to start a free case review. We’ve recovered over $1 billion for clients. Call us 24/7 at (800) 501-3011.
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What Is a Soft Tissue Injury in a Car Accident?
Soft tissue injury is a common injury that can occur during a car accident. Soft tissue refers to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the body, and damage to these tissues can result in pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion.
Soft tissue injuries in a car accident are due to various factors, including the force and angle of impact and the body’s position at the time of the collision. For example, if the car sustains a side impact, the occupant’s body turns sideways, causing the muscles and ligaments in the neck and shoulders to strain or tear.
Types of Soft Tissue Injury
Several types of soft tissue injuries can occur during a car accident or other traumatic event. These include:
- Strain: A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon stretches or tears [1]. This type of injury is commonly called a “pulled muscle.” Symptoms of a strain may include pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Sprain: A sprain occurs when ligaments tear or stretch beyond their limit. Ligaments are the tissues that connect bones, and a sprain can result in pain, swelling, and instability in the affected joint.
- Contusion: A contusion, also known as a bruise, occurs when a muscle or other soft tissue sustains compressive forces, often due to impact. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and discoloration of the skin.
- Bursitis: occurs when the bursae, tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints, become inflamed. This condition can result in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint [2].
We encourage you to seek medical attention if you suspect you have suffered a soft tissue injury. A doctor can diagnose the extent of your injuries and recommend a course of treatment to help you recover.
Reasons for Soft Tissue Injury in a Car Accident
Soft tissue injury is a common injury that can occur during a car accident, and there are several reasons why this type of injury may occur. Some reasons for soft tissue injury in a car accident include:
- Sudden impact: During a car accident, the body can experience a sudden impact that causes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to stretch or tear. This process can result in soft tissue injury.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a common soft tissue injury that occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jolted back and forth, often resulting from a rear-end collision. This injury can cause strain or tear of the neck muscles and ligaments.
- Twisting or contorting of the body: If the body is twisted or contorted during a car accident, it can cause strain or tear of the soft tissues.
- Seat belt injuries: While seat belts can save lives in a car accident, they can also cause soft tissue injuries. The force of the seat belt against the body can cause bruising, strains, or tears in the soft tissues.
- Airbag injuries: Airbags can also cause soft tissue injuries. When an airbag deploys, it results in a sudden and forceful impact that can cause soft tissue injury.
If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injury
The symptoms of soft tissue injury can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some common symptoms of soft tissue injury include:
- Pain: Pain is one of the most common soft tissue injury symptoms. The pain may be mild or severe and can be constant or intermittent. The pain may also accompany tenderness or swelling in the injured area.
- Swelling: Soft tissue injuries can cause swelling in the affected area. This is due to an accumulation of fluid in the tissue as the body responds to the injury.
- Stiffness: Soft tissue injuries can cause stiffness in the damaged area, making it difficult to move or use the body part.
- Bruising: Soft tissue injuries can cause bruising. The bruising is due to broken blood vessels beneath the skin.
- Weakness: Soft tissue injuries can cause weakness in the affected area, making moving or using the involved body part difficult.
- Numbness or tingling: Soft tissue injuries can cause numbness or tingling, which may signal nerve damage.
- Headaches: Injuries to the neck and head can cause headaches, which may signify soft tissue damage.
Treatment of Soft Tissue Injury
- Rest: Rest is an integral part of the healing process. It allows the injured tissues to recover without being further stressed.
- Ice: Applying ice to the injured area can help reduce swelling and pain. Applying the ice for 15-20 minutes several times daily is essential.
- Compression: Wrapping the affected area with an elastic bandage can help reduce swelling and support the injured tissues.
- Elevation: Elevating the injured area above the heart can help reduce swelling and promote healing.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve the affected area’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility. It may include exercises, stretches, and other treatments.
- Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe stronger pain medications.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or remove damaged tissues.
Pursue a Soft Tissue Injury Car Accident Settlement
If you suffer a soft tissue injury in an auto accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your trauma. Damages are the losses you might suffer from the accident, including economic and non-economic ones. Some examples of damages that you may be able to recover after a soft tissue injury in a car accident include:
- Medical expenses: You may be entitled to recover the economic cost of your medical treatment, including hospital bills, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and prescription medication.
- Lost wages: If your injury has prevented you from working, you can recover your lost wages. These economic losses include the income you have lost to date and any future income you may lose due to the injury.
- Pain and suffering: Soft tissue injuries can be painful and impact your quality of life. You may be able to recover non-economic damages for the physical pain and emotional distress you suffer due to the accident.
- Property damage: If your vehicle or other property incurred damage in the accident, you might be eligible to recover the economic cost of repairs or replacement.
- Loss of consortium: If your injury has impacted your relationship with your spouse or partner, they may recover non-economic damages for loss of consortium.
You must prove the other driver was at fault to recover damages after a soft tissue injury in a car accident. This recovery requires gathering evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and medical records and presenting your case to the insurance company or a court. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Free Case Review for Soft Tissue Swelling and Contusions
Our award-winning lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm are here to help if you experience soft tissue injury in a car accident. Call us at (800) 501-3011 to schedule a free case review. Our legal team can evaluate your case, answer questions and discuss future options. You can also reach us online. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tissue Injuries
Can soft tissue injury cause you to miss work?
Yes, it can. While usually treatable, soft tissue injury can cause significant pain, making it hard to perform work duties.
Can you file a lawsuit for soft tissue injury?
Yes, you can. Soft tissue injury can cause a financial drain with medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. All such costs can be recouped in a successful personal injury claim.
