The chance of getting into a car accident is always possible, particularly with the number of cars on the road at any given time. With any car accident, there is always the risk of an injury.
Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of injury you can suffer in a car accident. The body’s soft tissue includes skin, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. When impacted by the force of a car accident, many injuries are likely to occur.
A soft tissue injury can occur in two ways: overuse or sudden trauma. Sudden trauma, or an acute injury, happens when something impacts the body, whether in a car accident or a slip and fall. An overuse injury occurs over time, where the body part does not have time to heal while being overused, which will eventually become bursitis or tendonitis.
The sudden force felt in a car accident can cause a traumatic, acute injury. These injuries include the following.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury caused when an impact is felt so forcefully it “whips” the head back and forth. This can happen from minor car accidents and is one of the more common soft tissue injuries and can be severe. It is a neck sprain that can lead to severe pain, neck stiffness, back pain, and cognitive issues.
Sprains and Strains
Ligaments connect your bones, and the force in a car accident can cause these ligaments to overstretch, otherwise known as a sprain. Trauma in a car accident can be so severe that the ligaments can tear. Symptoms of a sprain include pain, swelling, inflammation, and immobility to the affected area.
Strains are similar to sprains but affect the muscles and tendons that connect to the bone. More severe impacts can lead to muscle tears as well. Symptoms of a strain include tenderness or bruising, pain, inflammation, or loss of motion in the affected area. It is more common to feel a muscle strain in the back or neck than in other body areas.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
Many people following an accident do not seek medical attention. If there was minor damage, the person might feel that their pain is tiny, or the adrenaline from the accident masked their injury. It would be a mistake not to seek medical help immediately following an accident. Many soft tissue injuries begin to show up hours, if not days, after a crash.
Consulting a doctor following an accident is highly recommended. Even if the soft tissue injury is minor, you could begin treatment right away and prevent any damage from getting worse. Treatment will likely include physical therapy, medication, and surgery if needed.
Getting medical attention is necessary for insurance and legal purposes as well. Some insurance companies might deny an injury claim if there is a delay in seeing a doctor. Medical documentation is necessary if you need legal assistance or decide to pursue any lawsuit for the accident.
West Chester Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello Help Clients Suffering From Collision-Related Soft-Tissue Injuries
A car accident can happen in a blink of an eye, and so could injuries. Accidents commonly cause soft tissue injuries, and getting help is essential. If you have been injured in an accident, speak with our West Chester car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello. Call us at (610) 892-4940 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve the communities of Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster, Montgomery County, Norristown, Philadelphia, Reading, and West Chester.
