When most people think of car accident injuries, they tend to think of the injuries physically seen on the outside of the body. However, numerous internal systems and organs make up the body and can also be damaged in a car accident. The problem is that when a person sustains internal injuries, the trauma might not immediately be apparent.
For many, the signs and symptoms of internal injuries don’t show up right away, which leads people to assume they are fine after an accident. However, internal injuries are serious and can be deadly if not treated in time. This is why it’s so important to understand how these injuries can happen and what signs to look for so you know when to seek emergency medical assistance.
If you sustain an internal injury, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, in a car accident, our San Francisco car accident lawyers at Sally Morin can help. We have helped countless clients like yourself recover the financial compensation they deserve after being injured in a car accident.
What Causes Internal Injuries in a Car Accident?
There are typically three primary ways that a person can sustain an internal injury in a car accident:
- Blunt force trauma: This is one of the most common causes of internal injuries in car accidents. When you are in an accident, there are many ways your body can be impacted, such as hitting your chest or abdomen against the steering wheel, hitting your body against the door, an object in the vehicle can come loose and hit you, or you could be thrown from the car and hit the ground. In any of these situations, the blunt force impact can easily cause internal bleeding or damage to your internal organs.
- Deceleration trauma: When you are in a vehicle moving at high speeds, and the vehicle suddenly stops, whether it’s because you slammed on the brakes, because you hit something, or were hit by something, this can cause deceleration trauma. Even though the vehicle stops suddenly, the organs in your body essentially keep moving, which causes them to suffer damage.
- Penetration trauma: This type of injury occurs when something physically penetrates the body and the skin, like a piece of glass or another part of the car. If the object goes deep enough, it can cause serious internal damage.
What Are the Different Types of Internal Injuries?
The body has 78 internal organs; however, not all of them can be easily damaged in a car accident. Which organs are affected or what specific type of internal injury a person sustains can vary. For example, the injury can depend on where the body was impacted, how fast the car was traveling, or even the age and size of the injured person
Some of the most common internal injuries seen in car accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Lung damage
- Kidney damage
- Broken ribs
- Internal bleeding
- Liver damage
- Spleen damage
- Heart damage
- Muscle damage
What Are Signs You’ve Sustained Internal Damage From a Car Accident?
In many cases, there are no outward signs of internal injuries after an accident, like bleeding. As such, you must be able to recognize other signs and symptoms that could indicate you are suffering from an internal injury. If you delay medical treatment, it could put your life at risk.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of internal injuries include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness or feeling faint
- Passing out
- Vision problems or disturbances
- Numbness
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain or chest pain
If your head or brain were directly affected, additional symptoms could include:
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in hearing and vision
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion
- Difficulty writing
- Feeling tired and lethargic
- Loss of consciousness
If the damage is in the chest or abdomen, other symptoms could include:
- Bruising around the navel or abdomen
- Blood in urine
- Black or tarry stools
- Bleeding from the ears, nose, or mouth
The body can also go into shock after sustaining an internal injury. Signs that you may be going into shock can include the following:
- A rapid heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Low blood pressure
- Overall weakness
- Changes in alertness
- Feeling lethargic and sleepy
Recovering Compensation for Internal Body Injuries After a Car Accident
If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the damages they caused. Internal injuries can be costly to treat, and they could lead to a lot of pain and suffering. In some cases, an internal injury could cause you to become permanently impaired. You deserve to be fully compensated for all of your losses and trauma.
When you file a personal injury claim after the accident, a lawyer can help you build a strong case to ensure you are awarded based on the damages you have suffered. Such damages that you can be compensated for can include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Therapy and rehab costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of or reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent impairment
California Internal Injuries Lawyer: We Handle Your Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
If you suffer from internal injuries after a California car accident and need help with your case, our team can assist you. At Sally Morin, our personal injury lawyers have years of experience handling cases that involve severe injuries, like internal injuries. As such, we understand how devastating these accidents can be and know what it takes to fight for the rights of our clients to ensure they get the full and fair settlement they deserve.
If you’ve suffered internal injuries after a car accident, call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
