To put it simply, soft tissue injuries make it harder for you to live your life. That’s bad enough on its own, but when the injury comes from an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s even worse.
By understanding soft tissue injuries and speaking with a Long Island whiplash and soft tissue injury attorney, you can give yourself a better chance of getting your life back the way you want it to be.
Read on to learn more, or reach out to the trusted team at Jacoby & Jacoby for help.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles found throughout your body.
Unlike other injuries, soft tissue injuries do not affect your bones. But they do affect the soft tissue structures that attach to, and connect, your bones and muscles.
Some of the most common soft tissue injuries are as follows:
- Sprains
- Contusions
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Strains
- Lacerations
- Partial tears
- Complete tears
A Long Island car accident can lead to all of the injuries in the list above. A car accident can also lead to far more serious injuries. But regardless of the source of the injury, it is of the utmost importance that these injuries are treated. If you haven’t already, seek medical attention right away.
Are Soft Tissue Injuries Serious?
All of the activities you participate in are dependent on the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your body.
If one ligament, tendon, or muscle is injured, then your day-to-day life can change dramatically.
Just as an example, if your leg is sprained, walking becomes harder. This can make it harder for you to walk to work, go on your daily runs, or ride your bike to work — among many other activities.
If you cannot bike or walk to work and, as a result, have to spend extra money on taxis or rideshare rides, then you are taking home less money. Taking home less money affects other aspects of your life, such as housing, your diet, and overall happiness.
The above can occur after a relatively “simple” leg sprain. But if another one of your ligaments, tendons, or muscles is injured, then things can become far more serious.
Some of the most common problems that can arise after a soft tissue injury are as follows:
- Frequent and/or consistent pain on the injured soft tissues
- Being unable to walk or run in the manner you are accustomed to
- Frequent swelling that creates further discomfort
- A numbness or abnormal sensation on the injured soft tissues
- Bleeding that occurs under the skin, creating further bruises
- Nerve damage caused by the torn soft tissues
- Stiff movement that requires physical therapy to treat
None of the problems listed above are pleasant. But with the assistance of a medical practitioner, and the legal assistance of an effective attorney, you may be able to not only deal with them, but recover compensation to help you do so.
How Can a Car Accident Cause a Soft Tissue Injury?
A car accident can cause a soft tissue injury in several ways. Some of the most common are as follows:
- The impact of a car accident can force part of your body to move violently, causing an injury to that part.
- Debris found within your car — like glass from your window — can hit a part of your body, causing an injury.
- Grabbing the steering wheel before an impact can sprain or strain your wrist.
- If you are hit by a car from behind, you could be forced onto the dashboard, causing a soft tissue injury.
- Stopping your car suddenly can lead to “whiplash,” which is when your neck is sprained or strained.
Other types of car accidents can lead to other soft tissue injuries. But the above tend to be more common than others.
Why Does Legal Help Matter After a Soft Tissue Injury?
A soft tissue injury can prevent you from living the life that you wish to live.
Returning to our first example, a leg sprain can prevent you from walking and/or riding your bike. This can deprive you of the joy that these activities bring, while also making it more difficult for you to get to work.
On top of that, many soft tissue injuries require some form of medical treatment. And certain soft tissue injuries require physical therapy, which can occur across multiple weeks, months, or even years.
A car accident can lead to soft tissue injuries. But many car accidents lead to even more significant injuries that greatly affect your mobility, wellbeing, and happiness.
But if someone else was at fault for the accident that caused your soft tissue injury, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. And an attorney can help you pursue that compensation.
This compensation can cover any number of negative effects caused by your soft tissue injury:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Reduced quality of life
Contact a Trusted Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injury Attorney
The Long Island personal injury attorneys at Jacoby & Jacoby are ready to help you recover after your soft tissue injury. We’ll keep you informed at every step, fight hard for every dime you deserve, and act as not just a legal ally, but a trusted friend.
Ready to get started? Contact an experienced Long Island whiplash and soft tissue injury attorney today. Contact us online or call 888-452-2629 to schedule a free consultation.