In Virginia and across the United States, many auto accident victims suffer from soft tissue damage, sometimes without knowing it. The shock of a collision, combined with the sudden braking and the bracing of the body, can cause the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments to stretch and become strained, sprained or torn. Symptoms may not become noticeable until days after a crash.
Victims usually experience chronic aches, pain and inflammation. Since X-rays cannot detect soft tissue damage, victims should at least tell their doctor that damage from an auto accident might be a possible explanation for the symptoms. Delaying treatment will only hinder the healing process. In serious cases, victims may lose certain motor and sensory functions and even start bleeding from the mouth.
An injury to the neck tissue is called whiplash. It is a frequent outcome of rear-end collisions because the victim’s head snaps back. An injured neck can send out shooting pains, burn and become swollen. The pain could affect the back and shoulders, and the spine could be injured as well; two major symptoms of whiplash include disc herniation and joint dysfunction.
In addition to physical pain, whiplash victims may suffer from sleeplessness, poor memory and dizziness. Others may experience accident-related PTSD symptoms like depression and anxiety.
When a motor vehicle accident leads to soft tissue injuries, victims may want to know if they have a viable personal injury claim. This means showing that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. A lawyer might hire investigators to find proof of negligence, which could include police reports, evidence at the crash site and log books if the other party is a trucker. The lawyer may also be able to handle negotiations.