When you are injured in a car accident, you can suffer a variety of injuries. Some of the common injuries suffered in car accidents include head injuries, back and spine injuries, broken bones, lacerations, and fractures. However, accident victims can also suffer soft tissue injuries. Sadly, some medical professionals and insurance companies do not always treat soft tissue injuries seriously. However, a soft tissue injury can cause chronic pain and impaired mobility, which could cause substantial damages.
Therefore, if you have suffered a soft tissue injury in a motor vehicle accident, you may need assistance filing your insurance claim. For a free consultation, call 1-800-587-1889 to speak with a New Orleans car accident attorney.
What is a Soft Tissue Injury Caused by a Car Accident?
The ligaments, tendons, and muscles are referred to as soft tissues. In a car accident, these tissues can be injured. For many people, a soft tissue injury can heal with little to no medical intervention. Doctors may prescribe rest, OTC pain medications, compression, elevation, and ice to treat soft tissue injuries. However, some soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and other conditions that may impair a victim’s ability to work or perform normal activities.
Three common types of soft tissue injuries caused by car accidents include:
- Contusions — Contusions or bruises result when a blow injures the muscle fibers and connective tissue without breaking the skin.
- Strains — When the muscles or tendons are torn or over-stretched, a strain may occur.
- Sprains — When a ligament is torn or over-stretched, a sprain may occur. Sprains in the knees, wrists, and ankles are common.
There are other soft tissue injuries, such as bursitis and tendinitis, but those injuries are usually caused by repeated stress to a certain area of the body rather than a sudden, violent movement of the body like a car accident.
Whiplash and Car Accidents
One of the most common types of soft tissue injuries in a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash is caused when your head suddenly “whips” back and forth after a collision. The sudden movement can cause the soft tissues of the neck to over-stretch, rip, and tear. The result can be extremely painful. As with other soft tissue injuries, some cases of whiplash may heal with time and rest. However, you can suffer an acute case of whiplash that could last for months and result in long-term complications.
The symptoms of whiplash you need to look for after an accident include:
- Loss of range of motion
- Chronic pain in the neck and shoulders
- Difficulty turning your head from side to side or looking over your shoulder
- Dizziness or blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Headaches that may begin at the base of the skull and radiate upwards
- Tenderness in your arms, upper back, or shoulders
- Tingling or numbness in your hands
- Problem sleeping
- Ringing in the ears
- Memory problems or problems with concentration
It is always prudent to seek medical attention after any car accident. However, if you experience symptoms that you do not understand or your symptoms increase, you should see a doctor immediately. Remember, whiplash does not always appear immediately after the crash. It could take several days for whiplash symptoms to appear, or the symptoms could increase substantially over the days and weeks following the crash.
Filing a Claim for a Whiplash Injury
As discussed above, some insurance companies do not treat soft tissue injuries seriously. We urge you to contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm to discuss how our New Orleans car accident attorneys can help you file an injury claim for a soft tissue injury.
Call our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a New Orleans accident attorney.