Car accident victims can suffer injuries that range from serious to catastrophic. Unfortunately, car accidents are not at all uncommon, which is why injured car accident victims need to be prepared to protect themselves and also be familiar with the different types of injuries car accident victims may face.
Whiplash and soft tissue injuries are common types of car accident injuries. Whiplash injuries are the most common type of soft tissue injury. Other types of soft tissue injuries include contusions, sprains and strains. Contusions are also referred to more commonly as “bruises.” Sprains refer to ligament damage due to overextension of a joint. Strains refer to injuries that result from overuse of a muscle or tendon. Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the soft areas of the body, including the ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Soft tissue injuries are referred to as cervical strains or sprains or hyperextension injuries. They can occur, for example, when a car accident victim’s head is thrust violently back and forth during a car accident. Symptoms of a soft tissue injury include stiffness in the neck, sharp neck pains, back problems and cognitive challenges, such as problems with memory, focus and concentration. Soft tissue injuries and whiplash injuries can worsen over time and the full extent of the injury may not be immediately obvious following the car accident.
Soft tissue and whiplash injuries require treatment and medical care, which can result in medical expenses for injured car accident victims facing time away from work while they recover. A personal injury claim for damages may help injured car accident victims with their physical, financial and emotional damages suffered in a car accident.
