Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident

The term “soft tissue” describes practically anything in your body that is not bone. These soft tissues can include tendons, muscles, fat, and ligaments. Soft tissue can be injured just like any other part of your body, even though it may not fracture. Soft tissue injuries can still impact your life and impose significant costs on you, financial and otherwise. Many people underestimate the effects of soft tissue injuries. A car accident lawyer would properly value your case and your life's impacts when you seek financial compensation.

How Can Soft Tissue Be Injured?

Soft tissue can be injured much the same as bone would in the event of a sudden impact. Additional things can cause soft tissue injuries, such as sudden and jarring movement. Soft tissue may tear or be disturbed when your body is forced to move unnaturally. You would often experience this movement in a car accident when the impact suddenly causes your body to move out of position.

What Are the Different Types of Soft Tissue Injuries?

There are numerous types of soft tissue injuries that can affect your body, including:

• Ligament tears: Your ligaments hold your bones and joints in place. A tear can cause instability and reduce your range of movement. Ligament tears may require surgery to repair, especially when they occur in your knees.
• Cartilage tears and damage: Cartilage is the tissue that lines your joints and acts as a shock absorber. Cartilage damage can result in persistent joint pain. Some cartilage tears are more serious than others. For example, a tear in the meniscus of your knee often requires surgery.
• Sprains and strains: A sprain occurs when soft tissue stretches. Sprains can impact one's ability to move and require extensive rest to heal.
• Contusions: A contusion is another way of saying that your soft tissue is bruised. Contusions can cause pain. You can be in a considerable amount of discomfort, depending on the severity of a contusion.

Soft Tissue Injuries Can Be Serious

Soft tissue injuries may not be any less serious than certain types of fractures. For example, if you have torn a ligament in your knee, it could affect your ability to put weight on it and even move. Torn ligaments do not heal on their own with rest, and they may need surgical intervention. Thus, you may encounter a significant disruption in your life and considerable pain and suffering.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that a soft tissue injury is not serious when it comes to seeking financial compensation. If you are unable to work because of your injury or you experience physical pain, you are legally entitled to be paid for it. The party responsible for the car accident may even be required to compensate you if you miss out on things you enjoy in life.

What Should I Do if I Have Suffered a Soft Tissue Injury?

Soft tissue injuries may not be immediately apparent in the days after a car accident. You may only begin to feel pain and soreness at some point in the future, and not necessarily at the end of the accident. It is essential that you see a doctor as soon as you begin to experience pain and discomfort because soft tissue injuries can grow worse without medical treatment or rest. If you wait too long to get medical treatment, it could affect your legal case because the insurance company could argue that you failed to mitigate your own damages.

Contact a Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyer at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. Today for Help with Your Case

If you have suffered a soft tissue injury in a motor vehicle crash, reach out to a Monmouth County car accident lawyer at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. You can schedule a free initial consultation by filling out our online form or by calling us today at 732-906-1500. We have offices in Brick, Freehold, and Edison, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout New Jersey, including Point Pleasant.