Severity of Soft Tissue Injuries from Car Accidents

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 10, 2013

There are many types of injuries that may be suffered in a Washington car accident and many of them have long-term consequences. Soft tissue trauma is one of the most common injuries to overlook because it is not as obvious as a broken bone or a bleeding laceration. Many soft tissue injuries are mistakenly dismissed as minor and easily treatable with painkillers and rest. Unfortunately, it is common for soft tissue injuries to get worse over time and for the victim to suffer from chronic pain.

A soft tissue injury is any damage involving the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A majority of injured car accident victims suffer some form of soft tissue injury. This type of trauma does not show up on X-rays and often manifests as nothing more than discomfort shortly after the crash.

If you are involved in a rear-end collision, it is possible that you are suffering from one of the most common soft tissue injuries – whiplash. This occurs when the rapid jerking of the head results in severe soft tissue damage to the neck. It is possible in these types of incidents to sustain strains or tears to the tendons and ligaments of the neck or the discs in the vertebrae.

Other common soft tissue injuries involve bruises, strains, sprains, and tears. This type of trauma can happen when the body is jolted or twisted during a collision. This can occur even during low-speed collisions. A number of these injuries also surface days or weeks after the accident. Early diagnosis and treatment will increase your chances of making a full recovery. If you have questions about pursuing your legal rights, please contact the experienced Seattle car accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. at (888) 228-3860. We offer free consultations to injured victims and their families.