Soft Tissue Injuries in a Car Accident

A car accident can cause a host of injuries, but many people seem to overlook soft tissue injuries. Your soft tissue includes the skin, fat, tendons, muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, and blood vessels.

Soft tissue injuries are not always immediately noticeable. You may feel fine right after the crash, but develop soreness and pain a few days or even weeks later.

The most common soft tissue injury is whiplash. Whiplash is a term used to refer to a neck injury; it most often refers to either a sprain or a strain of the neck. It’s caused by the force of a car stopping suddenly. The resulting motion for the occupants inside the car is like a cracking whip.

The impact of a car crash can cause a person to suffer a wide range of injuries, and they can range from minor to severe. Here’s a look at some of the most common types of soft tissue injuries.

Soft Tissue Sprains

These occur when the sudden impact of a car crash jolts your body so greatly that your ligaments become overstretched. In a car accident, a sprain is most likely to occur in your neck Symptoms of sprains include pain or bruises around the area, inflammation, and impaired flexibility.

Soft Tissue Strains

Strains occur during car accidents due to the abrupt strike to the vehicle. They refer to injuries to the tendons. Strains commonly occur in the lower back. Symptoms of strains include tenderness or bruising in the area, inflammation, muscle spasms, and reduced range of motion.

Lacerations

Lacerations are the most common soft tissue injuries from car accidents. Lacerations can range from minor cuts to major gashes that require stitches or even surgery. Lacerations can be caused by broken glass, road debris, and contents inside your vehicle. You should always seek emergency treatment if you have a laceration.

Contusions

Also known as bruises, contusions occur when your blood vessels are struck with enough force to damage them This causes the blood to leak into the surrounding tissue, leading to a bruise. Bruises will go away on their own, but they can sometimes indicate more severe injuries, such as broken bones.

Torn ACL

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a connector in the middle of your knee. These knee injuries are fairly common in car accidents due to contortion of the knee. A sudden change in direction caused by a rollover or rear-end accident can cause the ACL in one or both knees to tear. Symptoms include swelling of the knee, pain when walking or standing, and a popping noise from the knee.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

While broken bones and head trauma are common, soft tissue injuries can also occur and be very painful. They can be hard to diagnose and treat.

A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can help you deal with the effects of soft tissue injuries. Get the help you need so you can recover. Schedule a consultation by filling out the online form or calling 281-347-3247.

Source:

sterlingmedgroup.com/soft-tissue-injuries-car-accidents/