Internal injuries that people sustain in car accidents can be life-threatening, even though they might not be visible—getting evaluated as soon as possible after a collision is essential. The symptoms could finally be apparent after the injury progressed and require more extensive medical treatment.
The severity of an internal injury depends on the speed and other factors related to the crash. The driver or passenger might have blunt force trauma if an airbag deployed when the vehicle was going 65 miles per hour during the crash, or their seat belt may have malfunctioned. Many different scenarios cause different points of impact and amounts of force.
These are some of the more common kinds of internal injuries associated with car accidents:
- Brain bleeds
- Fractured ribs
- Internal damage
- Organ damage to the kidney, liver, lungs, or spleen
- Traumatic brain injuries
What Are the Symptoms of Internal Injuries?
Any kind of bodily trauma can cause internal bleeding, even low-impact car accidents. After an automobile accident, the body can experience an adrenaline surge that masks what is going on internally or go into shock that overshadows the injuries.
Some common symptoms of internal injuries include:
- Pain: Post-car accident pain from internal injuries typically comes from the neck, back, abdomen, and chest but can also come from other body parts.
- Bruising: These can take several days to show up. If they are dark purple, there is probably bleeding into the skin and soft tissues.
- Nausea: Internal injuries frequently cause nausea and vomiting. Blood in the vomit is usually a sign of trouble.
- Blood in the stool or urine: Never assume this will go away, as it may indicate injuries to the bowels or kidneys.
Why Are Internal Injuries So Dangerous?
Internal organ injuries to the liver, gallbladder, liver, and spleen can be deadly. Patients can also go into hemorrhagic shock.
If not diagnosed and treated within specific time frames, internal injuries can quickly escalate and be more challenging to treat. A diagnosis may require an X-ray, MRI, angiography, and a CT scan to analyze possible damage to tissues, blood vessels, and bones.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Internal Bleeding?
Certain risk factors make people more likely to sustain internal bleeding. Blood thinners increase the chances of it and can weaken the stomach lining. Blood clotting disorders can cause the blood to clot slowly, leading to excessive bleeding after a car accident.
Contact a Mount Laurel Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman for Legal Advice
Internal injuries from a severe car accident can leave you and your loved ones struggling for months, if not years. Contact a skilled Mount Laurel car accident lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman for a free consultation. Complete our online form or call us at 856-751-2345. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients in Burlington County and the surrounding areas.