Can a Car Accident Cause an Aortic Aneurysm?

Car accidents can have highly serious and life-threatening consequences. The angle at which a vehicle is hit, the amount of force present, and the location of where someone is sitting in the car can contribute to the types of injuries a person experiences. Sometimes, the injuries do not seem directly related to the accident. 

For example, can a car accident cause an aortic aneurysm? The simple answer to this question is yes, it can.

Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer legal team can answer any questions you have about your potential losses after an accident. If you are unsure if the accident caused your losses, we can help you find out. Set up a free consultation with our team now by calling our office to discuss your case. 

What Is an Aortic Aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm occurs when the aorta is damaged. This major blood vessel travels from the heart through your abdomen and helps to move blood from your heart throughout your body, including into your legs. An aneurysm occurs when a part of that blood vessel becomes enlarged or damaged. 

This type of injury can initially cause pain in the side or abdomen, intense back pain, and a pulsating sensation in the center of your abdomen. However, many people who suffer from this condition have no outward signs, and, like many other internal injuries, it can take some time to become obvious.

How Can a Car Accident Cause an Aortic Aneurysm?

Any type of trauma to the abdomen can damage the aorta. Because it is a long blood vessel that is so critical to moving blood throughout your body, it is essential that any type of car accident involves a full examination of this region of the body. This is often done using an ultrasound or a CT scan.

For example, when you are in a car accident in which you are hit from behind, the force could move your body back and forth, pushing against the steering wheel or the seat belt. There can be enough force at just the right point that this can cause damage to the aorta.

Suppose there is extreme force, especially if you are struck by something hard. In that case, it can lead to the aorta bursting, which is an immediately life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment.

Did You Suffer an Aortic Aneurysm After a Car Accident?

In any situation where you are in a car accident, even if you feel fine, you should visit the local emergency room for a full examination. A component of that process will be to conduct a screening for this condition to ensure there is no damage to any of the internal organs. If you have an enlarged aorta or other damage that seems to have occurred, and there is no other reason for this to have happened to you, then it is possible the car accident may have caused the injury.

If you are unsure if that is the case, let our legal team offer help. We can gather evidence from the accident, police reports, and witness statements to gain more insight into what happened to you. We can also include medical expert data that could help to explain how this occurred to you based on accident recreations.

What Type of Treatment do You Need After an Aortic Aneurysm?

There are some situations where the damage may be minor, and your doctor may decide that the best course of action is to monitor the aneurysm to see if it improves. This could involve months of monitoring through CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs. You may need to see a specialist for additional support.

Other times, emergency surgery is required, especially in situations where a rupture has occurred. This will require a specialist who has experience in this type of highly specialized procedure. It may require a significant hospital stay, ongoing treatment, and medical monitoring for some time. You may need additional follow-up procedures over the coming years if the condition does not improve fully.

Can You Get Compensation for an Aortic Aneurysm from a Car Accident?

If you suffered this type of medical emergency due to a car accident that someone else caused, you may be owed financial compensation for your losses. The amount owed to you will depend on many factors, including your complications. Some of the damages you may be able to recover include:

• Medical costs for emergency procedures
• Pain medications and other medications used to treat the condition
• Hospital stays for observation or more prolonged treatment
• Follow-up care with specialists
• Ongoing support due to your injuries, such as in-home healthcare
• Lost time at work
• Rehabilitation if you require it

Many people suffer significant pain and discomfort from this type of injury. They may also spend a considerable amount of time unable to work, especially if there are complications to treatment. You may also suffer emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. It may become impossible for you to go back to work for some time. 

All of these types of losses may be significant and devastating to you. You may be able to secure financial compensation from the responsible party, but you only have two years from the date of the crash to do so.

Let Us Help You Obtain the Compensation Owed to You

Our legal team is here to help and guide you. Our first step is to get more information about what occurred. This may come from medical reports and evaluations. We will ask the important questions, including whether a car accident can cause an aortic aneurysm in your situation. Then, we will fight for the compensation owed to you.

Set up a free consultation with us now. There is no cost to you. We are also available 24/7 to help you immediately. Our legal team has been trusted to help many people facing significant injury and loss in car accidents to recover their losses. We will help you, too. Call us now to learn how we can guide you.