The range of injuries that can result from a car accident is almost limitless. Depending on the force of the impact, a car collision can result in anything from minor strains and sprains to catastrophic trauma like a brain injury or paralysis One very common type of injury sustained in Montana motor vehicle accidents is injury to the soft tissues of the neck and back.
The term “soft tissue” refers generally to muscles, ligaments and tendons. These tissues are vulnerable to trauma in a car accident because of the way occupants are thrown around inside the vehicle at the moment of impact. The soft tissues can sustain bruises, strains and sprains from overextension.
Whiplash is a form of soft tissue injury. It results when a vehicle occupant’s head and neck are thrown violently back and forth in a rear end collision. A whiplash victim will typically experience neck pain and stiffness, back pain and possibly even cognitive problems with concentration and memory.
The severity of a soft tissue injury is not always apparent immediately after the accident. It is very common for the victim to feel only minor discomfort at the accident scene but develop more severe pain and stiffness days later. Soft tissue injuries can also be difficult to diagnose, because they do not show up on x-rays. Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident who feels any pain or discomfort at all would be wise to seek medical attention right away.
When a soft tissue injury is caused by the negligent driver of another vehicle, the victim has the right to recover monetary damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help a victim get the compensation they are entitled to under the law.
Source: Findlaw.com, “Soft Tissue Injuries Caused by Motor Vehicle Accidents,” accessed April 24, 2016
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