Soft tissue injuries from a car crash can have dramatic effects. Often, we think of a car crash as a violent explosion of metal, glass, and plastic. But it is not always so. Some crashes do not have a lot of visible property damage to either car. Yet the personal injuries can be surprisingly bad. For those of us who have been in these low-speed crashes, we know how jarring they can be. The most common types of injury from low-speed crashes is whiplash, but they can also include injuries to the shoulder back, chest, head, and other parts of the body.
Whiplash Can Cause Serious Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash is no joke. It is caused by the sudden unexpected jerking of the head. It tears muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments in the neck. Although the injuries may seem minor at first, symptoms can take up to a day or longer to show up. They include:
• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder pain
• Low back pain
• Dizziness
• Pain in your arm or hand
• Numbness in arm or hand
• Ringing in your ears
• Blurred vision
• Concentration or memory problems (may be brain damage)
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Tiredness
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to see a healthcare provider right away for a proper diagnosis. Your injuries may be worse than you thought. Tell your doctor how you felt before the crash. Tell the doctor about the facts of the crash. And tell your doctor when your symptoms started. Be completely honest and do not exaggerate.
Diagnosing Soft Tissue Injuries
Your healthcare provider should take a complete medical history and physical exam. Unlike broken bones, tears in the soft tissues of your neck cannot be seen by an x-ray. So, it may not be possible to see your soft tissue injuries unless the doctors take magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses magnets to make images of organs and soft tissues in your body.
Treating Soft Tissue Injuries
Once diagnosed, your healthcare provider will come up with a treatment plan. You should work with your healthcare team and do everything you can to get better.
These injuries are serious, and poorly understood. The road to recovery from soft tissue neck injuries can be long and frustrating. Stick with it. If you have been in a car crash and have soft tissue neck injuries, call the attorneys at Stag Liuzza for a free consultation. We may be able to help you.
