After a car accident, you could have injuries that are painful, and you know are there. At the same time, your adrenaline could be pumping and masking your injuries, so you might not even know that you are hurt. In 2016, over 3 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Some of the most common injuries from car accidents are soft tissue injuries, but internal injuries are also common after a collision. Internal injuries are serious and can easily turn fatal if they’re not treated quickly, but they’re typically hard to spot because there aren’t many outward symptoms. That’s why it’s important to be evaluated by medical professionals immediately after an auto wreck.
Any injuries from a motor vehicle collision that you didn’t cause shouldn’t become a financial burden for you. A car accident lawyer from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm can help you navigate your claim and hold the liable party responsible for your injuries so that you don’t have to carry that burden.
Common Internal Injuries From Car Accidents
Much like adrenaline can mask soft tissue injuries and broken bones, it can also mask the pain of internal injuries. Even if your adrenaline isn’t masking your pain, you still might not know that you have one. Internal injuries are hard to detect, and usually require a medical examination to find them, which is why they can be so dangerous. Here are some of the most common internal injuries that are caused by car accidents.
- Internal bleeding. Also known as internal hemorrhaging, internal bleeding is just that—bleeding inside your body. Internal bleeding can be caused by trauma, aneurysms, or many other reasons, and can easily turn fatal if not handled immediately.
- Injured organs. Abdominal trauma can lead to injured organs. This can greatly affect your body if they are injured too severely because it can disrupt organ function, cause internal bleeding, and can potentially lead to death.
- Ruptured spleen. When your spleen is injured, it can rupture, which leads to internal bleeding. A ruptured spleen usually requires surgery to fix it.
- Abdominal aorta rupture. Your abdominal aorta is a major artery that supplies blood to the bottom half of your body. If this is compressed or ruptures, also known as an abdominal aorta aneurism, then you could have severe internal bleeding. This injury can be fatal.
- Punctured lung. If you break your ribs, or if you experience trauma from a sharp object, you could potentially puncture a lung. When this happens, it can be very hard to breathe and is potentially life-threatening.
- Brain bleed. If you hit your head hard enough in an accident or experience an aneurysm, you could have a brain bleed. This can cause brain damage or stroke and requires immediate medical attention as they can be fatal.
Symptoms of Internal Injury
Knowing which internal injuries happen more commonly is important, but since they can be hard to spot, it’s also important to know the symptoms of internal injuries so you know when you might need to seek medical help. While these symptoms may seem like they could indicate any injury, they could also mean that you have internal damage. As stated above, it’s important to receive immediate medical care if you suspect that you have any injuries from an auto collision, especially if you suspect you could have internal injuries, as they can be fatal.
Here are the symptoms that could indicate you have an internal injury:
- Abdominal swelling
- Swelling anywhere else in the body
- Abdominal pain, or pain anywhere with or without visible injuries
- Area of deep purple skin from blood pooling inside
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness from loss of blood
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you could use the help of a car accident lawyer from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm. Our experienced attorneys will investigate your claim and ensure that you are getting the full amount of compensation that you deserve for your injuries, damages, and any other financial troubles you are facing from the accident, like lost wages from missing work. With us handling the legal side of things, you can focus on healing. Contact us today so that we can begin discussing your options moving forward.