The vast majority of auto accident victims suffer sprain/strain injuries. While a car crash victim might suffer broken bones or a traumatic brain injury, the forces a car accident exerts on the passengers inside of the vehicle inevitably lead to sprain/strain injuries to muscles or tendons. Sprain/strain injuries can happen in simple accidents involving distracted driving as well as serious injuries with catastrophic property damage.
But many of the injury victims that suffer these injuries do not think they are worth pursuing. Insurance companies have told people for years that these injuries are not serious. They’ve also told people that car accident attorneys are just looking to scheme the insurance companies out of money. When people believe these lies, insurance companies save money, and people suffer long-term pain.
What are Sprain/Strain Injuries?
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases defines a sprain as an injury to a ligament where it is stretched or torn. It defines a strain as an injury to a muscle tendon where it is stretched or torn. Sprain and strain symptoms can include: pain, swelling, bruising, not being able to use a joint, muscle spasms, cramping, and trouble moving.
Sprained Ligaments
A ligament is tissue that connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint. When an injury victim suffers an impact the unexpected and sudden force can cause their body to contort in such a way that causes stretched or torn ligaments. When ligaments, which often are connecting bones to one another, are stretched or torn, victims can suffer intense pain. Sprains to injured joints and ligaments are often treated with rest and physical therapy.
Strained Muscle Tendons
A muscle tendon attaches muscles to bones and joints. When a person suffers a strain in an auto accident that connection to the injured area is stretched or torn. A motor vehicle crash can suddenly twist and pull the victim’s body. This can cause painful tears in back muscles, hamstrings, and other areas of the body. Like sprains, doctors will often prescribe rest and physical therapy as treatment.
What do I do After Sprain/Strain Injuries in an Auto Accident or Slip and Fall?
The first, and most important, thing to do after suffering an injury is to go to a medical professional. This is no different for sprain/strain injuries. Whether injured in a car crash or a slip and fall, the victim should immediately see a doctor. The doctor will examine them, assess their injuries, and prescribe treatment for their injuries.
It is important that an injured victim follow their doctor’s treatment recommendations. Often, when an injury victim ignores their treatment recommendations, they risk making their injuries worse and more difficult to treat in the future.
Typically, doctors will initially recommend physical therapy and other conservative treatments for sprain/strain injuries. Many medical professionals will recommend these treatments continue for eight to twelve weeks. However, somewhere during this treatment regimen, the victim’s doctor will likely send them for an MRI of their injured area.
The MRI will tell the doctor whether the treatments are helping and how severe the injury is. At this point, the doctor may recommend a specialist for the victim to see for more invasive care. In that scenario, the injury victim should follow up with the specialist to find out the next step to treat their pain.
Many sprain/strain injuries will heal on their own with the help of physical therapy. However, some soft tissue injuries will require more invasive care such as injections or even possibly surgery. Injury victims should know that doctors do not make recommendations for these types of care lightly. If your doctor recommends injections or surgery to treat your injuries, it is for a good reason.
What can I Recover for Sprain/Strain Injuries in an Auto Accident or Slip and Fall?
An injury victim can recover damages from the negligent party in a personal injury claim. Often, an experienced Tampa car accident attorney or slip and fall attorney can help the victim make a recovery without the need to file a lawsuit.
In order to recover, a plaintiff must show the economic and non-economic damages they’ve suffered as a result of the negligent party’s negligence. The most common damages for which a Plaintiff can recover are:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced personal injury attorney can help their client that has suffered a sprain/strain injury recover for all of the above damages.
Call Knapp Accident & Injury Law
If you or someone you know has suffered a sprain/strain injury in a car accident or slip and fall, you need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Only a qualified personal injury law firm can get you the compensation you deserve for your sprain/strain injuries. Call Knapp Accident & Injury Law today at (813) 568-3724. Our law firm is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
