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Soft tissue injuries, such as cervical spine injuries, also known to many as whiplash, incurred as the result of  vehicle accidents may be painful. They can be proven with diagnostic studies like MRIs, CAT scans, or nerve conductivity studies. When a physician performs a physical exam, he/she may confirm trigger points, muscle spasms, and any limited range of motion. Proof requires documented medical diagnosis. Diagnostic tools such as x-rays which are used to find broken bones cannot typically show soft tissue injuries such as muscle tears, sprains/strains, nerve damage, deep muscle bruises and cervical spine injuries.

According to Medicinenet.com, a cervical spine injury generally occurs when a vehicle is stopped and is rear-ended causing the head and neck to be forced into a hyperextended (backward) position as the seat pushes the torso forward while the unrestrained head and neck are forced backward. The head and neck then are forced into a hyperflexed (forward) position. The symptoms of cervical spine injuries include neck pain and stiffness, headache, shoulder pain and stiffness, dizziness, fatigue, jaw pain, arm pain, arm weakness, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears and back pain.  More serious and chronic disorders are depression, anger, frustration, anxiety, stress, drug dependency, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and insomnia.

WebMD also reports that cervical spine injury patients may have: 

• Severe pain in the neck.
• Pain down one or both arms.
• Pain that comes back after being gone for a few days.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, chest, or legs.
• Weakness in the arms, hands or legs.
• Inability to more the head.

As with any vehicle accident injury, it is important to see a doctor immediately following the accident. A cervical spine injury may not be apparent to the victim the day of the accident because of "shock", but can appear later. However, a doctor will look for this type of injury when the accident victim visits his or her office. Following the doctor's orders exactly as they are given and keeping all appointments is important.

Keeping all receipts for payments such as for doctor's visits, diagnostic services, physical therapy, medications, co-pays, and medical equipment such as neck collars will also help in providing the documentation necessary to prove the severity of the injury(s).

Should a victim miss work because of the accident, he/she needs to keep careful documentation of being away from the job. Using a diary to document all visits related to the injury including physical therapy, how much medication is taken and how often, any limiting factors such as inability to walk or move around in the same way as done previous to the accident is all important information that will help document the severity of the injury(s).

Please visit our website: SpiveyLaw.com to see some of the verdicts and settlements we obtained for victims suffering from soft tissue injuries."

Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.