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How car accidents can cause soft tissue injuries

On Behalf of | Mar 7, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

People who suffer a soft tissue injury in a New York car accident might not realize the extent of the injury until hours or even days later. These types of injuries are not as easy to detect as broken bones, and it is only as soreness and inflammation set in that people may realize they have strained or sprained tendons, ligaments or muscles.

Since the impact of car accidents can cause these soft tissues to stretch, these types of injuries are not unusual. Besides pain, symptoms may include swelling and loss of function.

Whiplash is one of the most common types of soft tissues injuries. When one car is hit from behind, it can cause a person’s head to snap back and forth. Heads are heavy, and this motion strains the neck muscles. The result can be headaches, dizziness, stiffness and a burning sensation. People with whiplash may experience shoulder, back and neck pain. Some people have reported additional symptoms such as fatigue and depression. More serious conditions can result from whiplash including joint dysfunction, chronic pain and herniated discs.

A car might rear-end another and cause this type of injury because the driver is distracted, drowsy or driving under the influence. In such an event, the driver’s insurance company should offer compensation to the injured person. However, in practice, this process might be less straightforward. The insurance company may offer too little to cover the injured person’s expenses. The company might dispute injuries that do not show symptoms until several days later. This could be particularly serious if a person later shows signs of a debilitating traumatic brain injury. Therefore, after a car accident, a person might want to contact an attorney who may be able to assist in negotiating with the insurance company or filing a lawsuit if necessary.

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