The muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the body are called the soft tissues, and these can be sprained, strained, and torn by sudden, uncontrollable movements. This is why soft tissue damage is a frequent outcome of car accidents, when the impact and braking toss the body back and forth. Drivers in New Jersey will want to know what the symptoms are.
Chronic pain and inflammation of the affected area are to be expected. Blood may even pool in the area. Some victims also report a loss or diminishment of function in their limbs. When the soft tissues of the neck are damaged, usually in rear-end collisions, the condition is known as whiplash. The head is heavier than some people think, and it can strain the neck tissues, causing shooting pains in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Other symptoms of whiplash include a burning and tingling sensation in the neck, headaches, dizziness, and even memory loss. In severe cases, whiplash can lead to disc herniation and joint dysfunction in the spinal cord. Others may experience PTSD-related symptoms, including depression and anxiety.
Symptoms can appear hours after an accident or days after, so victims may be deceived into thinking they don’t need treatment or that the symptoms are unrelated to the accident. Soft tissue injuries cannot be detected by X-ray and are hard to diagnose.
An auto accident lawyer may be able to determine, with the help of investigators, whether a driver was to blame for the injuries that the client incurred. Once the police reports, physical evidence, and other proof has been gathered, the lawyer might then proceed to negotiate with the auto insurance company for a settlement. If one can’t be reached out of court, the victim may consider litigation. A successful accident claim might reimburse the victim for medical expenses and even for more subjective factors like pain and suffering.