Soft tissue injuries — including whiplash, strains, sprains, and muscle tears — are common
and often underestimated. Important considerations:
- Delayed onset: Symptoms like neck pain, headaches, or limited range of motion can emerge
hours or days after the crash. - Diagnostic limits: X-rays rarely show soft tissue damage. MRIs or clinical exams and
functional testing document soft-tissue injury severity. - Chronicity: Acute soft tissue injuries can become chronic, causing long-term pain, decreased
range of motion, and loss of employability in physically-demanding jobs. - Treatment plans: Physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain management, injections, and
sometimes surgery or pain clinics for complex cases. - Credibility: Insurers challenge the severity of soft-tissue claims. Consistent medical records,
timely treatment, and objective findings (ROM tests, validated scales) strengthen credibility. - Impact on damages: Even without visible injury, soft-tissue injuries can produce substantial
pain and suffering damages, lost wages, and future care needs.
Patients should document symptoms, attend all recommended appointments, follow care
plans, and be evaluated by specialists when recovery plateaus. Attorneys work with medical
experts to explain prognosis and treatment necessity to insurers or juries.