In the blink of an eye, a routine drive can turn into a life-altering event. Vehicle accidents, characterized by their sudden and forceful nature, have far-reaching consequences.
This is particularly true when it comes to soft tissue and organ injuries.
Forceful collisions
When vehicles collide, the forces involved are immense. The abrupt deceleration or acceleration experienced during a crash can subject the body to severe trauma. Soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments and tendons, bear the brunt of this force.
Whiplash, a common result of rear-end collisions, illustrates this vividly. 3 million Americans suffer from whiplash injuries every year. The rapid back-and-forth motion of the head can strain and injure the delicate soft tissues of the neck, causing pain and limited mobility.
Seatbelts
While seatbelts are important for preventing ejection during a collision, they too can contribute to specific injuries. The force exerted by a seatbelt across the chest can lead to bruising and damage to underlying soft tissues. In severe accidents, the same seatbelt designed to save lives can cause rib fractures and internal injuries due to the sheer force applied to the body.
Airbags
Airbags, touted for their life-saving potential, deploy at high speeds to cushion the impact. While they undoubtedly reduce the risk of head and chest injuries, the force of deployment can cause injuries of its own. Facial abrasions, burns and upper extremity injuries are not uncommon when airbags deploy forcefully.
Long-term consequences
Soft tissue and organ injuries sustained in a vehicular accident can have lasting effects. Chronic pain, reduced mobility and impaired organ function may persist long after the visible wounds have healed.
Understanding the potential for soft tissue and organ injuries underscores the importance of immediate medical help in the aftermath of an accident. Talking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a crash is also beneficial.