Soft Tissue Injuries

Highly Skilled Savannah Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Assisting Clients Throughout Georgia

Soft tissue injuries are common motor vehicle accident injuries that can result in a range of symptoms—from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that affects your daily life. These injuries typically involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and while they may not be as immediately visible as broken bones, they can still cause significant pain and other long-term issues. At Suthers & Harper, our dedicated team of Savannah car accident attorneys recognizes the challenges you face after suffering a soft tissue injury, and we’re here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?

Soft tissue injuries refer to damage to the body’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons, often caused by trauma or sudden force. These types of injuries are common in car accidents, where the impact can stretch, tear, or otherwise injure the soft tissues in various parts of the body. Unlike broken bones, soft tissue injuries are not always visible on X-rays, which can make them harder to diagnose and treat.

There are two main categories of soft tissue injuries:

Acute Injuries: These injuries occur suddenly due to trauma, such as the impact of a car accident. They can involve sprains, strains, and contusions (bruises).

Overuse Injuries: While less common in car accidents, overuse injuries occur when repetitive stress is placed on muscles, tendons, or ligaments over time. In some cases, victims of car accidents may develop overuse injuries during the recovery process if they are compensating for another injury.

Common Soft Tissue Injuries Following an Auto Accident

Soft tissue injuries can vary in severity and location, but some of the most common injuries that occur in car accidents include:

Whiplash: One of the most well-known soft tissue injuries, whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly jerked back and forth during an accident. This sudden motion can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions and can take days or weeks to fully manifest.

Sprains and Strains: Sprains involve the stretching or tearing of ligaments, while strains refer to damage to muscles or tendons. These injuries often occur in the neck, shoulders, back, and limbs during a car accident. Sprains and strains can result in swelling, bruising, and pain that limits your ability to move normally.

Contusions: A contusion, or bruise, is caused by a direct blow to the body that damages the small blood vessels beneath the skin. While bruises may seem minor, deeper contusions can cause significant pain and swelling in the affected area, particularly if the injury occurs over a muscle or joint.

Tendonitis: Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, often resulting from overuse or repetitive motion. After a car accident, victims may develop tendonitis if they are compensating for another injury or overusing certain muscles during recovery.

Keep in mind that soft tissue injuries may not be apparent after an accident; however, they can cause lasting pain and discomfort. So, it’s important to seek medical care right away to ensure you receive the proper treatment.

The Importance of Prompt Medical Care After an Accident

After a car accident, it’s essential to seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel pain immediately. Soft tissue injuries, like whiplash and sprains, can take hours or even days to fully manifest. Without prompt treatment, these injuries can worsen and lead to chronic pain or long-term mobility issues.

In addition to safeguarding your health, seeking medical attention promptly helps establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries. Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of soft tissue injuries, especially if there’s a delay in treatment. By seeing a doctor right away, you can ensure your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented, which is crucial for your personal injury claim.

A Savannah car accident lawyer at Suthers & Harper can work with your medical providers to gather evidence of your injuries and build a strong case for compensation.

Are You Dealing with Lingering Pain Following a Savannah Car Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are dealing with lingering pain from soft tissue injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Soft tissue injuries can significantly impact your quality of life, making it difficult to work, exercise, or even complete everyday tasks. At Suthers & Harper, our team of experienced Savannah car accident attorneys can help ensure that you are not left with the financial burden of the accident. We are committed to helping accident victims effectively navigate the system and obtain the compensation they need to cover all of their accident-related expenses. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give us a call at 800-320-2384 or connect with one of our attorneys by filling out our secure online contact form. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.