Soft Tissue Injuries - More Than Meets the Eye
Call A North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer
According to a 2002 study by the Insurance Research Council tears, sprains and strains, referred to as soft tissue injuries, are the most common type of injury reported to a car accident lawyer. 8 out of 10 persons injured in a car accident suffer this type of injury (Insurance Research Council, 2002). Our car accident attorneys have handled many claims arising from car accidents that caused these type of injuries.
Whiplash and Other Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue is the name given to those supporting parts of the body that are not bones. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are considered soft tissues. The force of impact from a car crash can stretch the fibers of soft tissues to the breaking point, damaging them considerably. The result of this damage is bleeding, swelling, pain and loss of function.
Injuries to soft tissues do not show up on x-rays, so it is very difficult to immediately determine whether these areas have been damaged. Symptoms may not be felt until hours or even days after a car accident. Once symptoms do appear, however, they can be extremely painful and persistent. Inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury, helps alert the injured person that the body part should be protected to avoid further damage, but it can cause considerable pain and even inhibit the healing process if it is not controlled.
The common soft tissue injury that occurs when a person is riding in a car that is hit from behind is known as whiplash. Upon impact, the head may snap forward in a recoil motion. It is easy to see why this damage can happen, when you consider that the head itself weighs up to 15 pounds, the equivalent of the average bowling ball. When the head snaps backward in this way, it can create as much as 500 lbs. of force on the neck. Whiplash can cause joint dysfunction, herniation of spinal discs, faulty movement patterns of the head and neck, and chronic pain and fatigue.
Should I Get a Personal Injury Lawyer for my Soft Tissue Car Accident?
A skilled lawyer’s experience dealing with many different types of accidents and insurance companies on a regular basis enables her to know what pitfalls may arise in your case and how best to defend you against them. Our law firm has a team of case managers who only deal with soft tissue injury car accidents, and know how insurance companies view them. They can speed up the process and take the pressure off you - giving you the time and space to get better.
Car Accident Case Review
Once we receive your information, we will route your inquiry to our car accident injury team. Every effort will be made to contact you within one business day. You will never be obligated to hire a car accident lawyer. For immediate help call us now, toll-free, at 1-866-780-3551.
