Car accidents can easily cause broken bones, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Soft tissue injuries are also common following car accidents, and these injuries vary greatly in their severity and effects. Some soft tissue injuries are acute and require medical attention to prevent long-term complications, while others are degenerative and worsen over time. In some cases, a soft tissue injury can lead to significant complications later in life. It’s important to know what to expect after suffering such an injury.
What Are Soft Tissues?
Soft tissues are the ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the body. These injuries typically lead to severe pain, reduced mobility, and can sometimes even hinder range of motion later in life. Some of the most common types of soft tissue injuries include:
- Overextending a joint, or stretching it past its usual limits, can easily cause a sprain. When the tendons that hold muscles in place overextend due to impact, the location of the sprain will be painful and swollen. Additionally, sprains can cause cramping, inflammation, and can hinder movement.
- Ligaments are the strong bands of connective tissue at the ends of the bones of the body and stabilizer joints. Damaged or strained ligaments can cause the spine and other parts of the body to move outside their usual range of motion, and over time this can cause significant stress to the spine.
- Think of a contusion as a severe bruise. When a direct impact crushes muscle fiber and underlying tissue but does not break the skin, a contusion forms.
Soft Tissue Injury Treatment
Some soft tissue injuries are treatable using home and over-the-counter remedies, but advanced injuries require medical attention. Rest is an important treatment. After sustaining a soft tissue injury, it’s important to avoid using that part of the body more than absolutely necessary so the tissues have time to heal. Icing the affected area can also relieve pain and reduce swelling. When applying ice, use a compress to prevent swelling and provide relief to the deep tissues. Finally, elevation is helpful whenever possible as it helps mitigate swelling. A good rule of thumb is to elevate injured parts of the body higher than the heart.
After the immediate treatment, some soft tissue injuries will require ongoing care, reconstructive surgeries, or various other therapies to achieve maximum medical improvement. If you find yourself dealing with a soft tissue injury caused by another party, it’s essential that you consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
Soft Tissue Injury Lawsuits
Soft tissue injuries are common among people involved in car accidents, so if your injuries happened this way or due to the actions of another party, it’s vital to speak with an attorney about your situation as soon as possible. Soft tissue injuries, although less severe than broken bones, burns, or other serious wounds, can still be extremely painful and have long-term effects. A torn ligament or serious sprain can prevent an injured victim from returning to work for an extended period of time. If your injury led to any financial losses, it’s important to find a lawyer who can hold the responsible parties accountable.
If you file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party, you can secure compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damaged in the incident in question. Soft tissue injuries may seem relatively minimal compared to your other losses, but it’s still important to secure compensation for your pain and suffering. If a soft tissue injury led to decreased mobility, poor range of motion, or a diminished quality of life, contact a personal injury attorney about your options for legal recourse.