How Serious is Soft Tissue Damage from a Car Accident?

The human body is made up of many different parts that are capable of performing a wide variety of complex functions. Part of what allows our bodies this ability is soft tissue. Soft tissue is located in ligaments, muscles, fascia, and tendons. Injuries that affect the soft tissues are separated into two categories: overuse injuries and acute injuries. Overuse injuries happen mainly due to constant athletic activity or other rigorous physical activity, where the injured tissues are not given ample time to heal properly in between injuries.

Common overuse injuries include tendonitis and bursitis. Acute injuries are the sort of soft tissue injury that we observe in people who have been involved in car accidents. This is because these soft tissue injuries are caused by unexpected, one-time trauma. The most common soft tissue injury that people experience as the result of a car accident is whiplash. There are several other examples of soft tissue damage that could result from being injured in a car accident. Some examples of these damages to the soft tissue are:

Back Sprains and Strains

A back sprain happens when the ligaments, the tough groups of fibrous tissues inside of your joints that attach one bone to another, in the back are stretched past their usual range or are torn altogether. A back strain is the complete tearing of a muscle or a tendon that connects a muscle to a bone.

Torn Ligaments (Ankles, Knees, Shoulders)

If groups of tissue in the primary joints are torn or stretched, they undergo a form of injury known as a sprain. These sorts of injuries are classified into one of three different groups, according to the severity of the injury. Based on information collected from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the three classifications are:

• • Grade 1 Sprain (mild) – Minimal stretching and minimal injury to the fibers of the ligament in question.
  • Grade 2 Sprain (moderate) – The ligament exhibits partial tearing. When the primary joint is moved in specific ways, it presents unnatural looseness.
  • Grade 3 Sprain (severe) – This determination means that there has been a full tear of the ligament. Eventually, this injury will make the joint non-functional until it has had time to heal properly.

Contusions

A contusion is the formal medical terminology for a bruise or any other injury that creates damage to the skin and to the soft tissues underneath of it, as well, without breaking the skin. Contusions develop when blood vessels that have been damaged begin leaking blood, which pools in the neighboring tissue. This pooling leaves obvious blue, black, and purple-colored areas on the outside of the skin. Injuries like this are considered fairly minor unless the injured person suffers from a blood clotting disorder. Hospitalization is nearly always needed for any contusions to the brain or to the lungs.

If you or someone you love has suffered from a soft tissue injury due to the carelessness of another driver then you need to make sure that you receive medical attention as soon as possible. You should also contact a qualified personal injury attorney from the Los Angeles Injury Group. Our hard-working attorneys endeavor to get you the maximum amount of financial compensation. If you think you would be interested in a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, please give us a call today at 310-954-7248 and find out what we can do to help you.