Car crashes sometimes only damage vehicles. Frequently, collisions cause injuries to the occupants of vehicles. Some injuries are more serious than others. Someone with a broken bone or a spinal cord injury might not be able to exit the vehicle and has a long path to recovery after a crash. Brain injuries could render people unconscious and require substantial rehabilitation support to overcome.
Compared with those potentially catastrophic injuries, a soft tissue injury may seem minor. Yet, this is not always the case.
Soft tissue injuries can be debilitating
People often use the term soft tissue injuries specifically to discuss whiplash. However, soft tissue injuries belong to their own category of injuries that also includes contusions, sprains, strains, stress fractures, bursitis and tendonitis. Injuries to someone’s musculature or connective tissue can directly impact their ability to work or handle the responsibilities of daily life. Pain, issues with range of motion and other limitations from soft tissue injuries can keep someone from living their life like normal.
Soft tissue injuries can require hospitalization
Someone who has severe whiplash or other serious injuries to their joints or musculature following a car crash may require medical evaluation. Sometimes, the best course of treatment could include hospitalization. Doctors may need to observe someone or administer controlled substances as part of their treatment. In some cases, such as sprains that involve severe tearing, surgery may be necessary. Even outpatient treatment costs can quickly add up to thousands of dollars.
Soft tissue injuries may not resolve quickly
Contusions and minor injuries may heal in a few days. Sprains and strains may improve in a few weeks. Someone with whiplash might fully recover in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, not all soft tissue injuries lead to full recoveries. More severe strains and sprains, such as tears in connective tissue, can cause scarring and long-term pain or functional limitations. Soft tissue injuries with long-term symptoms can cost quite a bit in overall medical expenses and might also affect someone’s job performance and income.
People often seriously underestimate the financial impact a soft tissue injury can have on a crash survivor. To this end, having a realistic idea about the financial impact of crash-related injuries may help people handle the aftermath of a car crash more effectively.