Potential injuries after a car accident vary greatly from minor to severe to fatal. The most important step anyone can take after an accident is to seek medical attention. A serious injury, such as an internal injury, may occur after the body experiences sudden force in a collision. These injuries may not be outwardly apparent, with no cuts or bruising immediately visible.
If you suffered internal injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. You may feel the pressure of handling physical injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. It’s important to know you have options after such a devastating experience. Read on to learn more about internal injury examples and the symptoms of these injuries.
Reach out to Silva Injury Law today by calling (209) 600-4389 or sending an email to schedule your complimentary consultation and discover how we can support you!
Common Types of Internal Injuries from a Car Accident
Internal injuries from a car accident usually result from penetrative or blunt force trauma. Generally, the greater the speed a collision occurs, the greater the chances that a victim suffers from internal injuries.
Penetrative Trauma
Penetrative trauma results when an object penetrates the body in an accident and damages a victim’s internal organs, muscles, or tissues. A victim may suffer from penetrative trauma if shards of glass or pieces of metal from a vehicle cause the injury.
Blunt Force Trauma
Blunt force trauma occurs when a body is hit with forceful impact, usually when two vehicles collide in an accident. The force of movement to the body causes internal damage that is more challenging to identify as they typically do not have any outward signs of symptoms.
The most common types of internal injuries after an accident include the following:
- Internal bleeding. Collisions cause blood vessels in the body to tear or burst, and a victim begins losing blood inside their body. If these injuries fail to clot, a victim may lose consciousness. Excessive blood loss is fatal.
- Broken ribs. Broken ribs may occur commonly, but no one should overlook the risks associated with this injury. It’s crucial to seek medical attention to avoid damage to other internal organs in the chest or abdominal areas.
- Punctured lung. A punctured lung can cause the lung to collapse and deflate or inflate, inhibiting a victim’s ability to breathe normally. A punctured lung requires immediate medical intervention to avoid further harm to a victim.
- Damage to internal organs. The force of a collision often causes damage to internal organs. It’s vital to seek immediate medical attention as bleeding within these organs can be fatal and compromise your body’s functions for the rest of your life.
- Abdominal aorta aneurysm. Sudden impact after a collision can rupture one of the body’s most important blood vessels in the abdomen. A rupture causes rapid blood loss and may be fatal.
- Traumatic brain injury and brain bleeds. When the head bangs against the windshield or glass window of a car after a collision, there may be bleeding between the skull and brain tissue or even within the brain itself. Brain bleeds may limit the flow of oxygen to the brain and lead to permanent brain damage.
- Blood clots. Large amounts of blood flow to an injured part of the body increases the risk of a blood clot. Blood clots are severe and, if not identified, increase the risk of suffering from a stroke or heart attack.
This is not an exhaustive list as many types of internal injuries can occur because of a car accident.
What Are the Signs of Internal Injury After a Car Accident?
The symptoms and signs of an internal injury after a car accident are not always apparent. The most common symptoms to look out for after a collision include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Weakness or fatigue,
- Difficulty breathing,
- Cold and clammy skin to the touch,
- Rapid heartbeat,
- Low blood pressure,
- Loss of consciousness,
- Abdominal pain,
- Abdominal discomfort,
- Discoloration of the abdomen,
- Tenderness or pain around the abdomen or chest,
- Abdominal pain and shoulder pain may indicate organ damage,
- Blood in the urine.
It can take hours and sometimes days for any discomfort or symptoms to appear. Many victims may miss the connection between their accident and an internal injury. Missing immediate medical treatment is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Remaining vigilant and seeking medical attention is vital to prevent further harm.
Compensation for Car Accident Internal Injuries
Victims of car accidents in California are entitled to receive compensatory damages in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages represent financial losses from the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and property damage. Non-economic damages represent subjective losses usually resulting from the physical effects of your injuries. These damages include emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.
Compensatory damages seek to compensate victims for their losses and make them whole. Recovering these losses is crucial to moving forward after such a life-changing experience. However, attempting to recover these damages without a qualified attorney is challenging.
Contact Us
At Silva Injury Law, we treat you like family. Our legal team stands with you every step of the way and looks out for your best interests. We know that you may be suffering from extreme financial stress as you begin the physical and emotional recovery process. Our commitment to you remains strong as we work tirelessly to achieve the best possible resolution in your case.
Your financial stresses don’t increase when you hire Silva Injury Law. We never charge injured victims any money upfront and provide every potential client with a free in-person or remote consultation to determine the merits of your case. If we accept your matter, you won’t pay us a penny until we collect your money. We are skilled negotiators and experienced litigators. While we work hard to obtain a favorable settlement on your behalf, we never hesitate to take a case to trial if necessary. Our attorneys use their legal experience to conduct a thorough investigation on your behalf and build a strong case against those at fault. Contact Silva Injury Law today at (209) 600-4389 or email to obtain your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you!