Common Internal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

The intensity of a car accident can cause visible and hidden internal injuries to victims, some of which can be life-threatening. Understanding the common internal injuries caused by car accidents could help you know when to seek compensation for those losses. At John Foy & Associates, our trusted, experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer will fight for fair compensation no matter what you are facing.

The Most Common Car Accident Internal Injuries

Internal injuries are those that impact people and may not produce obvious external symptoms right away. For many people, these are high-risk injuries because, if they do not know they are there, they may not seek medical care right away, putting their lives at risk. Some of the most common internal injuries related to car accidents include:

• Broken ribs
• Internal bleeding due to soft tissue and muscle damage
• Collapsed lungs
• Organ damage from trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Ruptured spleen
• Damage to the abdominal aorta

These are some of the most common injuries that occur after a car accident that may not be immediately evident but are still highly impactful to health and well-being. Any time you are in a car accident with any serious force, you should seek out immediate medical attention to look for these potential injuries. Once you start developing signs of complications, you may suffer serious consequences.

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The Types of Internal Injuries

Various types of internal injuries exist as well. If you have been diagnosed with any of the following complications, you should seek out support from a car accident attorney while getting comprehensive care from your doctor. It is possible to have injuries such as:

• Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding is often in the abdominal area, but it could also be in the chest due to a broken rib causing damage to other organs.
• Fractured or broken bones: While arm and leg bones tend to be easy to notice, other broken bones are more complex, including broken ribs, hairline fractures of the skull, damage to the jaw or facial bones, and injury to the spinal column.
• Brain and head-related injuries: While whiplash is not an outright internal injury, it is one example. Traumatic brain injuries, including trauma to the brain, increased pressure due to fluid buildup in the brain, as well as brain bleeds from impact, can cause significant complications over time.
• Organ damage: Your kidneys, liver, pancreas, and intestines can incur trauma (the sheer pressure and force on the organ) as well as damage from punctures.
• Bruising damage: Some types of internal injuries cause internal bruising of the tissues and muscles, which can become evident with significant pain over time.

The key to remember about internal injuries is that they often lack any obvious outward signs. This means that, in many situations, a person may have no idea there is something wrong until their condition develops more fully. That can take time and may go hidden for days before becoming a critical situation.

Key Signs You May Have Internal Injuries After a Car Accident

Critical to your health and well-being is knowing when you have internal injuries so you can seek out immediate medical care. Noticing any changes in the way you feel, your thought processes, or your ability to move through your day means getting to the emergency room as soon as possible. Some of the most common symptoms of internal injuries include:

• Feeling cold: A person with internal injuries may struggle to maintain body temperature, meaning their skin feels cold to the touch.
• Pain: The development of new pain after the initial injury should not be ignored. This includes pain, tenderness, sharp discomfort, or change in your midsection.
• Nausea and vomiting: It is very common for traumatic brain injuries to become obvious only after dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and passing out occur. If you vomit and there is any blood present, that is also a medical emergency.
• Bruising: Significant bruising on your body could indicate internal injuries as well. Bruises themselves are not always dangerous, but they can be a sign of the organs in that area suffering serious injury.
• Lightheadedness or fainting: Blood loss often causes lightheadedness, which means that you may feel dizzy or like the room is spinning. Do not wait to get into a document to find out what is happening.

You may initially feel that you are just sore and recovering in the days after a car accident, yet these types of internal injuries can be hidden risks to your health and well-being. Many times, you need immediate medical care to get care to stop the worsening of the condition and preserve your life. Do not wait to get in for medical care.

Even if You Do Not Seem Hurt on the Day of an Accident, Go to the Emergency Room

Medical care is not something to put off after a car accident, even if you do not look like you were hurt or feel off in any way. Getting into the emergency room enables doctors to run necessary scans and tests to determine if there are hidden internal injuries present that could put you at risk for health complications. You may also develop changes to your health in the days after a procedure.

These Injuries Are Often Covered When Someone Else Causes Them

If someone else caused your accident, they may be responsible for the losses you have, including these injuries. Get the care you need, and continue to get that help. Then, let your car accident attorney know what is going on so they can seek out compensation for you.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Attorney Now

If you suffered internal injuries after a car accident, it is critical that you get the medical care you need and the legal support you deserve. At John Foy & Associates, we take your injuries and complications seriously. Set up a free consultation with our car accident lawyer to discuss your losses so that we can help you purchase full and fair compensation for them.