Sprains and Strains After a Car Crash: What to Know

What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?

Your body relies on ligaments and tendons to hold joints together and allow you to move. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue that connect one bone to another at a joint. A strain involves a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are the tissues that connect muscle to bone. Both injury types can range from a mild stretch to a complete tear.

Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries seen after traffic collisions. The sudden, uncontrolled forces of a crash can push joints far beyond their normal range of motion in a fraction of a second, stressing ligaments and muscles before they have any chance to respond.

Why Car Crashes So Often Cause These Injuries

When two vehicles collide, the energy of the impact transfers through the car frame and into the bodies of anyone inside. Even a low-speed rear-end impact can generate enough force to injure the cervical spine. The neck is especially vulnerable because the relatively heavy head sits atop a flexible column of vertebrae with little time to brace.

Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain, according to the National Library of Medicine. During a rear-end crash, the head is thrown backward and then snaps forward, stretching and sometimes tearing the muscles and ligaments of the neck and upper back.

The lower back is another area frequently affected. A seat belt holds the pelvis in place while the torso and head continue to move. That differential motion can strain the lumbar muscles and spinal ligaments. Shoulder sprains, wrist sprains, and knee sprains are also possible when a driver grips the steering wheel tightly at impact or when an occupant is pushed against a door or dashboard.

Symptoms to Watch For, and When to Call 911

Common signs of a sprain or strain include:

• Pain or tenderness at the injury site
• Swelling or bruising
• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness or limited range of motion
• A popping or tearing sensation felt at the moment of injury

One critical point: symptoms often do not appear right away. The body releases adrenaline during a traumatic event, which can mask discomfort for hours or even a day or two. Many people feel fine immediately after a crash and then wake up the next morning with significant pain and stiffness. For this reason, clinicians generally recommend an evaluation shortly after any collision, even if you feel uninjured at the scene.

Call 911 immediately if you or anyone at the scene has severe or worsening pain, numbness or tingling spreading into the arms or legs, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or any sign of a possible fracture or spinal injury. Do not move someone who may have a neck or back fracture.

How Chiropractic Care May Help

For many people recovering from a car accident, seeking chiropractic after accident Los Angeles care is an early step in the evaluation and treatment process. A licensed chiropractor can assess the spine, muscles, and joints and coordinate with other health care providers as needed.

One approach chiropractors often use is spinal manipulation, a hands-on technique that applies a controlled force to a spinal joint. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes it as a technique where practitioners use their hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust to a joint of the spine. Clinicians may also use soft tissue therapy, rehabilitative exercises, and other approaches. Your clinician decides which combination of care fits your specific injuries and overall health.

No outcome is promised with any form of treatment. Recovery varies widely depending on the severity of the injury, the person's general health, and other individual factors. Talk openly with your clinician about your symptoms, any concerns, and your care options.

To confirm that a chiropractor holds a valid California license, visit the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners website at chiro.ca.gov.

Steps to Take After a Crash in Southern California

1. Get medical attention promptly. Do not wait to see if pain resolves on its own. Some soft tissue injuries worsen when left without early care.
2. File your accident report. California law requires you, your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative to complete an SR-1 form and send it to the DMV within 10 days if someone is injured or if property damage exceeds the required threshold. Visit dmv.ca.gov for details.
3. Keep thorough records. Save copies of medical records, bills, insurance correspondence, and photos from the scene.
4. Ask a licensed California attorney about legal questions. Questions about claims, fault, or compensation are legal matters. This website does not provide legal advice, and no claim outcome is promised.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tissue that connects one bone to another at a joint. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, the tissue that connects muscle to bone. Both involve stretching or tearing and both can occur in the same crash. Your clinician determines which type of injury you have and what care may be appropriate.

Why do some crash injuries not hurt right away?

The body often releases adrenaline after a traumatic event, which can temporarily reduce your awareness of pain. This is why soft tissue injuries from a car crash sometimes do not cause noticeable symptoms until hours or even a day or two after the collision. Getting an evaluation soon after any crash, even when you feel fine, is something many clinicians recommend.

How do I find a licensed chiropractor in Los Angeles, Orange County, or the Inland Empire?

You can check whether a chiropractor holds a valid California license by visiting the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners website at chiro.ca.gov. No specific provider is recommended here, but license verification is a reasonable first step before scheduling care.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care after a car accident in California?

Coverage depends on your specific policy, the other party's coverage, and the circumstances of the collision. This site does not provide legal or insurance advice. Ask your insurance company about your benefits, and consult a licensed California attorney if you have questions about claims or compensation. No payment outcome is promised.

Sources

• MedlinePlus: Sprains and Strains
• MedlinePlus: Neck Injuries and Disorders
• California DMV: Report of Traffic Accident SR-1

More on this site

• Neck and Back Pain After a Crash: When to See a Doctor
• Delayed Whiplash Symptoms After a Car Crash in Los Angeles
• What Chiropractors Evaluate After a Car Accident in LA

General information only. This article is not medical advice, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This website is informational, is not a medical practice and names no doctor. Talk to a licensed physician about your own care. In an emergency call 911.