Can a Soft Tissue Injury from a Car Accident Cause Long-Term Damage?
On behalf of Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer
Car accidents don’t always leave apparent wounds. No broken bones. No blood. Just lingering pain that won’t let go.
Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common and most underestimated outcomes of a car crash. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), soft tissue injuries are involved in more than 65% of all reported car accident injuries. They can leave you struggling for months or even years.
You might not notice the damage right away. That’s part of the problem. Whiplash, strained muscles, and torn ligaments often start with minor discomfort.
Then they spiral. Daily tasks become harder. Medical bills pile up. The insurance company delays or denies your claim.
If you’re dealing with a soft tissue injury from a car accident, you’re not alone. But here’s what many don’t realize: these injuries can have long-term effects. Some never fully heal without treatment. Others trigger chronic pain or mobility issues.
This article walks you through what qualifies as a soft tissue injury, how long symptoms can last, and what to do if you’re left dealing with chronic damage after a crash.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue injuries refer to damage to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons. These are the body’s connective tissues. The parts that allow you to move, flex, and function. They're different from broken bones or organ injuries because they’re harder to see on traditional imaging tests.
Common types of soft tissue injuries include:
- Sprains: Overstretched or torn ligaments
- Strains: Injuries to muscles or tendons
- Contusions: Bruising caused by blunt force
- Whiplash: A neck strain from rapid back-and-forth motion
Each one can range from mild to severe. Even moderate injuries can cause prolonged discomfort or pain without proper treatment.
How They Commonly Occur in Car Accidents
Soft tissue injuries are prevalent in rear-end and side-impact crashes. When your body moves faster than your seatbelt allows, your neck, shoulders, and back absorb the force. The sudden deceleration jerks your body, twisting muscles and overstretching ligaments.
Low-speed crashes, even under 15 mph, can cause whiplash. According to the National Library of Medicine, many rear-end collisions occur at relatively low speeds but still produce serious soft tissue injuries.
Missouri crash data supports this. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that over 50,000 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023, with many experiencing non-fracture musculoskeletal pain. A large portion of these were soft tissue-related injuries.
Symptoms That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Soft tissue injuries don’t always hurt immediately. Symptoms might show up hours or even days after the crash.
Watch for:
- Stiffness or limited range of motion
- Persistent neck or back pain
- Swelling, redness, or bruising
- Tingling or numbness in limbs
- Headaches, especially starting at the base of the skull
- Muscle spasms or weakness
If you notice any of these symptoms after a crash, seek medical attention right away. Early diagnosis and documentation are important if you need to file a claim later.
Long-Term Effects and Chronic Pain Risks
Left untreated, a soft tissue injury from a car accident can turn into a long-term health issue. Torn ligaments may never fully heal. Chronic inflammation can lead to lasting pain. In some cases, victims develop chronic whiplash syndrome, where neck pain and headaches persist for six months or longer.
The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy notes that nearly 30% of whiplash patients report pain and disability more than one year after their injury.
Other long-term effects may include:
- Joint instability
- Nerve irritation
- Reduced mobility
- Sleep disruption from pain
These symptoms can interfere with your ability to work, drive, or even sit comfortably for long periods.
Diagnostic Challenges and Medical Proof
One of the biggest obstacles with soft tissue injuries is that they often do not show up on X-rays or CT scans. Insurance companies may argue that if it doesn’t appear on an image, it isn’t serious.
But doctors often rely on physical exams, patient history, and MRI scans or ultrasound to assess soft tissue damage. The problem is that these are considered less definitive by some insurers. As a result, your medical provider’s notes and consistency in your treatment plan matter a lot.
Document everything. Follow up regularly. Ensure that your symptoms and pain levels are accurately recorded in your medical records. These are often the only proof you’ll have when dealing with insurance adjusters.
Compensation Challenges for 'Invisible' Injuries
Getting fair compensation for a soft tissue injury from a car accident is often more difficult than for visible or easily documented injuries. These are sometimes called “invisible injuries” because they don’t appear on X-rays and aren’t apparent to a claims adjuster. But they can be just as disruptive to your life.
Insurance companies know this. And they use it to their advantage.
Here are the most common tactics they use:
- Minimizing the injury: Adjusters may argue that whiplash or muscle strain is mild, short-term, or exaggerated. They often assume that if there’s no broken bone or visible damage, there’s no serious injury.
- Blaming pre-existing conditions: If you’ve ever had a previous back, neck, or joint issue, even years ago, they may claim your pain isn’t from the accident at all.
- Questioning delayed symptoms: If you didn’t seek treatment immediately after the crash, they may argue your injury isn’t real or wasn’t caused by the accident.
- Using your daily activity against you: They may cite photos from social media, gym check-ins, or your ability to go to work as proof that you’re not seriously injured.
- Challenging subjective symptoms: Because soft tissue injuries often involve pain, stiffness, or limited mobility, which a scan can’t always prove, the burden falls on you to establish the extent of your suffering.
These tactics are common in Missouri injury cases. While state law allows compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, proving a soft tissue injury requires more documentation and strategy than most victims realize.
Medical records alone are often insufficient. You’ll need:
- Consistent treatment over time
- A detailed diagnosis from a qualified physician
- Notes showing how the injury limits your daily life
- Expert testimony in some cases, especially for long-term pain
That’s why hiring a personal injury attorney can make a measurable difference. An attorney can help collect medical proof, work with specialists, and present your case in a way that insurance companies take seriously. They can also push back against low settlement offers and delay tactics intended to frustrate you into giving up.
If you’re dealing with a soft tissue injury, don’t go through the claims process alone. A lawyer who understands these challenges can help you document your injury, prove your losses, and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to under Missouri law.
Legal Steps for Protecting Your Claim
If you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury from a car accident, here’s how to protect your right to compensation:
- Get medical care immediately even if you don’t feel severe pain.
- Follow your treatment plan exactly and avoid gaps in care.
- Document everything including symptoms, doctor visits, and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to the insurance company without legal advice.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney before settling your claim.
An attorney can help you gather evidence, deal with adjusters, and make sure you aren’t pressured into a lowball settlement.
Talk to a Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Soft tissue injuries are real. They can disrupt your life, your work, and your health. Even when they don’t show up on a scan.
At Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer, we understand how hard it is to get fair treatment when your injuries aren’t visible. Our legal team has helped countless Missouri clients recover full compensation for soft tissue injuries, including chronic whiplash and back pain. We collaborate with trusted medical professionals to develop robust, well-documented cases.
If you're dealing with pain after a crash, talk to us before signing anything from the insurance company.
Call us today for a free consultation.
