When Accidents Happen: Soft Tissue Accident Injuries In Kansas Collisions

In a nutshell, soft tissue is everything except bone. The most common soft tissue injuries occur to muscles and to the ligaments that connect muscles to bone or to other muscles. Because muscles and ligaments stabilize our joints, an injury can have far-reaching consequences. For example, an injured muscle may tighten up so much for so long that it can gradually pull bones out of alignment. A good example of this is a muscle injury in the neck or back that pull the spinal column out of alignment.

How do soft tissue injuries occur?

Soft tissue injuries occur by a sudden movement (or great force) that is too rapid for the muscles and ligaments to overcome. A well-known example is whiplash associated with car accidents. Injuries can be classified into four main categories: strains, sprains, cramps and overuse injuries.

Sprain injuries

Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of movement. Sprains most commonly occur in the leg, knee and ankle.

Strain injuries

A strain or ‘pull’, occurs when muscle or tendon fibers are torn. These soft tissue injuries are the most common type of sports injury as they involve muscles. Injuries can range from minor strain to major rupture.

Cramp injuries

Cramp injuries are involuntary muscle contractions that suddenly occur and can be temporarily debilitating. Triggers may include dehydration, low potassium or low sodium levels, inadequate carbohydrate intake or an excessively tight muscle.

Overuse injuries

Athletes doing too much intense training can suffer from overuse injury. Common areas of injury are shin splints and stress fractures.

Complications with soft tissue injuries

Soft tissue injuries can sometimes conceal a bone fracture, particularly around the wrist, fingers or toes. It is therefore important that you see your physician if you are in any way concerned about your injury or the rate of your recovery.

How we can help you following a soft tissue injury?

If you have suffered your soft tissue injury in an accident that was someone else’s fault, we can help you make a claim for compensation. Typical claims often include medical expenses, physical therapy or other rehabilitation, and reimbursement for prescription drugs such as pain killers and muscle relaxers. If your soft tissue injury has prevented you from working we can also help you make a claim for lost wages and future loss of earning potential. Additional out-of-pocket expenses associated with the accident such as taxi fares to and from appointments, special equipment to help you do the things you used to be able to do, and the like may also be covered, so keep careful records of your costs.

If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, call Ray Hodge & Associates at (316)269-1414. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if we recover money on your behalf. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your rights.

Ray Hodge & Associates proudly represents victims and their families across the state of Kansas, including Wichita, Andover, Derby, Goddard, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Newton, El Dorado and Hutchinson. Call today for a free consultation all over the state of Kansas. We have proudly served clients in Sedgwick, Butler, Sumner, Harvey, Kingman and Reno Counties.