Car Accident Injuries: Soft Tissue

Minor car accidents often seem harmless. However, just because injury symptoms do not appear at the time of the accident does not mean that they will not materialize at a later time. The experienced attorneys at the Murnane & O’Neill Law Firm outline soft tissue injuries that often go unnoticed after a car accident.

Soft tissue injuries occur on parts of the body including the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. These areas of a person’s body can suffer impact related injuries even in low speed collisions. This is because even a minor amount of force from a collision can cause an individual’s body to move in a way that places a large amount of stress on joints and other vulnerable areas.

Whiplash is one of the most common soft tissue injuries that people suffer during a car collision.  It is caused by the pressure placed on the neck muscles when trying to absorb the force of the collision during an accident.  Symptoms of whiplash may not be noticeable at the time of the accident, but generally appear within 24 hours after the incident occurs.  These include neck pain and stiffness, loss of range in neck movement, tenderness in shoulders and upper back, and dizziness, among others.

Other soft tissue injuries can take much longer to materialize.  Depending on the underlying condition, weeks can pass before symptoms such as pain, swelling, and reduced mobility affect an individual.  Since soft tissue injuries are not visible on X-rays, they can be difficult to detect and diagnose during post-accident examinations.

If you feel any level of pain or discomfort after being involved in a car accident, it is important to see a doctor right away.  Your doctor will perform an examination and additional diagnostic tests to determine if you have suffered any injuries from your accident. They will also document these injuries for legal purposes and provide you with advice on monitoring symptoms.  If it becomes necessary to file a personal injury claim related to your accident, it is important that your injuries and medical treatment have been documented. These records will help your lawyer to prove that you were required to seek medical treatment within a reasonable amount of time after the accident.

For more information on automobile accidents and personal injury claims, contact the experienced attorneys at Murnane & O’Neill.