There are many types of injuries that can result from a car or truck accident. Some injuries are minor and heal within a few days or weeks while other injuries may cause permanent disabilities. Regardless of the severity of your injury, if another driver is at fault for the crash, you have the right to be compensated for your losses including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, emotional suffering, and physical pain. It is important that you seek medical attention even after a minor car accident because you could sustained injuries that are not always easily recognized.
Soft Tissue Injury Defined
Any injury that causes damage to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the body is considered a soft tissue injury. Unlike other types of car accident injuries that are easily diagnosed such as broken bones and lacerations, accident victims with soft tissue injuries may not realize the severity of the injury. There may be some swelling and bruising at the sight of the injury; however, soft tissue injuries can also lead to more serious complications including chronic pain, loss of function, and loss of mobility. Damage to the nerves, muscles, tendons, and bones are common in multiple areas of the body because of the impact of the collision. You can suffer soft tissue injuries in multiple places depending on the accident.
Stages of Soft Tissue Injury Healing
Soft tissue injuries go through several stages as they heal.
- Acute or Protection Phase – This phase begins at the time of the injury and continues through the worst of the swelling, pain, and bleeding. The body is trying to protect itself from further damage. It can take two to four days to complete this state.
- Sub-Acute or Repair Phase – During the repair phase, the body is laying down new soft tissue to repair the damage. This phase can take up to six weeks depending on the severity of the injury.
- Late Stage – Remodeling Phase – This stage typically lasts up to three months after the repair phase. Your body is still healing and often needs to stimulate additional new tissues to support and strengthen the healing tissue. This is necessary to continue to meet the demands of increased movement, exercise, and stretching.
- Chronic Phase – Ongoing Repair and Remodeling – After three months, pain may still remain and your body is still repairing and remodeling tissue as you continue to heal from your soft tissue injury.
Have You Suffered a Soft Tissue Injury?
For most people, rest and time will heal a soft tissue injury; however, some people may require additional medical treatment including physical therapy. It is important that you do exactly as your doctor advises in order to avoid additional injury. During the time it takes to heal from a soft tissue injury, you may miss time from work, incur substantial medical bills, and suffer physical pain. You deserve compensation from the party who caused your injury.
The New Orleans car accident attorneys of The Olinde Firm can help. Contact our office for a free case evaluation. Call (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.