Bicycle accidents are all too common in California, especially in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This is because these areas are heavily populated, and many residents ride their bikes in these cities recreationally and for commuting.
Unfortunately, when a bicyclist is struck by a car, they often sustain severe and life-threatening injuries, such as head trauma or internal organ damage. One such injury that we often see in these cases is a ruptured spleen.
If you or someone you love sustained a ruptured spleen in a California bicycle accident and need help recovering compensation for your medical bills and other damages, our team can help. At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, our San Francisco bicycle accident attorneys fight hard for our clients’ rights and know what it takes to win the high-value settlement they deserve.
What Does a Ruptured Spleen Feel Like?
Your spleen is a small, tender, fist-sized organ that sits in your abdomen on the upper left side. The primary function of the spleen is to store and filter blood while helping make white blood cells to fight infections.
Though a person can be born without a spleen and survive if it needs to be removed, a ruptured spleen is still considered a medical emergency. When the spleen ruptures, the biggest concern is that the person will bleed out internally.
When your spleen ruptures, you will likely feel pain in your abdomen, which can move to the left side of your chest and even your shoulder. The most intense pain, however, will be felt right over the area where your spleen is located.
What Causes a Ruptured Spleen?
Blunt force trauma is one of the most common causes of a ruptured spleen, such as a blow to the upper left abdomen or the lower left chest area. High-impact sports like hockey and football are known to cause ruptured spleens, but one of the most common causes is bicycle accidents.
Any vehicle accident can result in a ruptured spleen, but bicycle accidents are particularly problematic because riders have little to protect their bodies when hit. A bicyclist can suffer a ruptured spleen from direct impact with a car or when thrown from their bike and slammed into the ground or another object nearby.
Symptoms of a Ruptured Spleen After a Bicycle Accident
As mentioned above, pain in the abdominal area is one of the most apparent signs of a ruptured spleen. If you are involved in a bike accident and feel pain in your abdomen, you should seek immediate medical attention.
However, there are other symptoms of a ruptured spleen that you may experience, which can include:
- Tenderness in the abdominal area
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Blurred vision
- Mental disorientation
- Feeling faint and fatigued
- Paleness
- Nausea and vomiting
It’s important to note that some victims who suffer a ruptured spleen do not notice signs or symptoms right away. But if you wait to seek treatment, it could put your life at risk. This is why you should always get checked out by a medical professional after being in a bicycle accident.
Even if you feel fine, you never know what could be going on internally, and the longer you wait to treat a damaged spleen, the more likely it is that you will suffer complications that could lead to death. And if you are concerned about being able to afford treatment, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Ruptured Spleen After a California Bicycle Accident
California is an at-fault state, which means that if someone else’s negligence caused the accident and your injuries, you can file a claim against them. Personal injury claims can help you get the compensation you need to pay for your ruptured spleen injury as well as other potential damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
However, though you may be entitled to compensation when you are injured in a bicycle accident in California, there is no guarantee that you will win your case and be awarded the full and fair settlement you deserve. When you file a claim, you will have to prove that another party was responsible for your injuries, which means you will need to obtain evidence and build a strong case.
This is why working with an attorney is often necessary. Though you don’t need an attorney to file a claim, having one on your side makes you more likely to win and recover a higher-value settlement.
We Handle Your California Bicycle Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we genuinely care about the people of California and work hard to ensure our clients get the full settlement needed to cover their expenses. Sometimes, we even help our clients walk away with money in their pockets to support themselves and their families as they recover.
Call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
