The sudden impact of an automobile accident can lead to many different types of injuries. Soft tissue injuries are particularly common after auto accidents, often leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. However, with prompt treatment, it’s possible to heal soft tissue injuries and prevent lasting damage. 

Some of the most common soft tissue injuries that can result from car accidents include:

Sprains

A sprain occurs when the ligaments, which are the bands of tissue connecting two bones together, are stretched or torn. Sprains can occur when a severe impact is placed on a ligament and may affect any area of the body. In car accidents, sprains most often affect the back or neck. Some people refer to neck sprains as whiplash.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that affects the neck. As one of the most common auto accident injuries, whiplash occurs when the neck is forced back and forth quickly. This causes damage to the ligaments, muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the neck. 

Symptoms of whiplash may take time to set in after an automobile accident. This is why it’s crucial to receive a medical examination promptly after the crash regardless of your symptoms. This will ensure that you get on the path to recovery quickly and that you’ll be able to use your PIP coverage for medical costs. Remember, in Florida, it must be used within 14 days of the crash.  

Strains

A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon tissue is stretched or torn. In addition to pain and inflammation, strains can cause muscle weakness and spasms. Lower back strains are particularly common in automobile accidents. Chiropractic care, therapeutic exercises, and electrical muscle stimulation can promote healing of the damaged muscle or tendon tissue to relieve pain from a strain. 

Contusions

A contusion is a bruise that results from a sudden, direct impact, which often occurs in car accidents. In a crash, many people get contusions from being thrown against the seatbelt. You may notice bruising across the neck, chest, and abdomen. While contusions generally heal quickly on their own, severe cases may lead to deep tissue damage that requires ongoing care. As experts in auto accident injuries, the team at Florida Spine & Injury Institute of Lakeland can help you overcome painful symptoms of a crash, including contusions. 

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