Soft tissue injuries after a truck accident are often discounted as minor. Unlike broken bones, they don’t always show up on an X-ray. However, they can trigger pain, limitations, and disruption similar to that of severe injuries. Many truck accident victims in Aurora require months of treatment, and some injuries never fully heal.Â
Types of Soft Tissue Injuries After a Truck Accident
The force of a commercial truck accident can put enormous strain on muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body. These crashes can result in many types of soft-tissue injuries, including:
Sprains
A sprain occurs when ligaments are stretched or torn. The ankles, knees, and wrists are particularly vulnerable to sprains, especially in serious motor vehicle accidents. Sprains can require bracing, physical therapy, and, in serious cases, extended time away from work.
Strains
Strains involve damage to muscles or tendons rather than ligaments. Back strains are especially common after truck accidents, given how collisions can impact the spine. Strains may result in pain, muscle spasms, and reduced range of motion for weeks (or months).
Whiplash
Whiplash happens when the head and neck are forced rapidly forward and back, such as in rear-end truck collisions. Symptoms sometimes take days to appear, but can develop into chronic neck pain and long-term mobility problems if left untreated.Â
Contusions
Blunt-force impact can damage muscle fibers and surrounding tissue beneath the skin’s surface. This, in turn, can cause contusions or bruising. Contusions can be painful and can limit movement depending on the location.
Torn Ligaments and Tendons
High-impact crashes can result in partially or fully torn ligaments and tendons, particularly in the knees and shoulders. These injuries often require surgical repair and lengthy rehabilitation. A complete tear (e.g., ACL or rotator cuff rupture) can permanently alter a victim’s physical abilities.
How Soft Tissue Injuries Happen in Aurora Truck Accidents
Even a moderate truck collision is capable of causing serious soft tissue damage to occupants of the passenger vehicle.
Common causes of soft-tissue injuries in truck accidents:
- Being struck from behind by a tractor-trailer
- Absorbing a side-impact collision that twists the torso and neck
- Bracing against the steering wheel or dashboard at the moment of impact
- Being tossed about violently during a rollover
Soft tissue injuries are not always immediately visible. Therefore, they are frequently underdiagnosed after a crash. You should always seek prompt medical attention to enhance your recovery time and protect any future injury claims you intend to file.
What Compensation Is Available for Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue injuries sound minor, but they can result in major medical costs. If another party’s negligence caused your crash, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages for your injury-related losses. A successful claim could include compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy/rehabilitation, lost income during recovery, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
An experienced Aurora truck accident attorney can help you document your losses and seek compensation from all parties that contributed to your accident. Contact Feagans Law Group today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options after an Aurora truck crash.