What Is a Soft Tissue Injury in a Car Accident?

A soft tissue injury is any injury that affects the soft tissue in your body versus the hard tissue and bones. These types of injuries include bruises, sprains, and muscle contusions. Soft tissue injuries can be just as debilitating as hard-tissue injuries, though they may be more difficult to diagnose and prove as part of a car accident lawsuit. If you sustain soft tissue injuries in a motor vehicle crash, it’s best to consult with a qualified lawyer who can help make sure you gather proper medical documentation to verify the full extent of your injuries.

How do you get soft tissue injuries in an accident?

There are two types of soft tissue injuries. Acute soft tissue injuries are those that are caused by sudden trauma, like when you fall or experience some sort of blow or twist to the body. Examples of acute soft tissue injuries include strains, sprains, and contusions.

The other type of soft tissue injuries are overuse soft tissue injuries. These are usually caused by things like repetitive athletic activity or some sort of other physical activity where the body is not able to heal in between injuries. Examples include bursitis and tendinitis.

When people get into car accidents, they usually suffer acute soft tissue injuries, ending up with bruises, joint and ligament sprains, muscle strains, and damage to the fascia (connective tissue). This usually leads to symptoms like swelling, soreness, inflammation, and stiffness. People with acute injuries often end up with visceral pain, digestive pain, and headaches.

Acute soft tissue injuries in car accidents are usually caused by sudden, unexpected impacts that cause your body to be thrown backward and forwards.

Why are soft tissue injuries so problematic?

One of the reasons soft tissue injuries are so problematic is that they can be very difficult to diagnose. If you have a broken bone, a brain injury, or a damaged organ, those injuries show up on x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs. With a soft tissue injury, the injury is not always evident or detectable through modern imaging equipment.

Another reason that these injuries are difficult to prove or quantify is that the symptoms for these types of injuries vary from person to person. Another issue is that people with these injuries respond differently to treatment. Some people may heal completely from physical therapy, while others may experience short-term relief from physical therapy before the pain comes back.

Another reason that soft tissue injuries can be so problematic is that the symptoms are often located far away on the body from where the injury actually happened, making it hard to pinpoint the source of the pain.

Keep records of your soft tissue injury

There are a number of guidelines to follow to help your soft tissue injury case. Keep absolutely detailed records of everything that you do to treat your injury. These records will help prove that you did everything you could to help yourself, and they’ll provide proof of diagnosis.

Follow ALL of the treatment recommendations provided by your doctor, including physical therapy and other types of therapies. This will help show that you took your injuries seriously.

Work with a lawyer who has experience with soft tissue injuries.

Soft tissue injuries can create long-lasting damage if not treated properly, causing you serious medical issues for years to come. Partner with a car accident lawyer who understands the implications of this injury on your life. An attorney who has experience working with accident victims who’ve suffered from soft tissue injuries can give you the best chance of getting the compensation and support you deserve. Contact us via our contact form, or give us a call to schedule a free personal injury consultation.