Trauma is one of the leading causes of death globally. And while many different kinds of injuries are categorized as trauma, blunt force trauma injuries are some of the most common. While some blunt force trauma injuries can be minor, such as a small bruise, these types of injuries can also be severe and life-threatening. Car accident victims, for example, often suffer blunt force trauma injuries, some of which can lead to death if they are severe enough.
As California is no stranger to traffic accidents, we see many cases involving blunt force trauma injuries. If you or a loved one have sustained a blunt force injury in an accident, our team of San Francisco car accident attorneys can help.
We know what it takes to help our clients file their claims and win their cases, ensuring they get the full and fair compensation they deserve for their injuries.
What is Blunt Force Trauma?
The definition of blunt force trauma is simple: blunt trauma—or non-penetrating trauma—is a type of injury that occurs when the body is impacted by a blunt or dull object or surface. So where a penetrating trauma is an injury that results in the skin being broken open, a blunt force injury is more like an internal injury.
Because trauma injuries are internal, there are sometimes no outward signs of these injuries when they occur, which is what makes them so dangerous. For example, someone could fall and hit their head, but there might not be any external signs of injury; meanwhile, internally, the brain could be bleeding. But if that person doesn’t realize they’ve been injured and they delay seeking medical attention, the internal head injury from the trauma could lead to serious complications and even death.
This is why you should always seek medical attention whenever you are involved in an accident, even if you feel fine. You never know what could be going on internally, and if you delay treatment, it could put your life at risk.
Common Types of Blunt Force Injuries
Blunt force trauma can affect nearly every part of the body, including the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and even your arms and legs. It simply depends on what part of the body was impacted during the accident.
Some of the most common types of blunt force injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Contusions (bruises)
- Fractures
Damage to internal organs and head trauma are two of the most dangerous kinds of blunt force injuries because these injuries often go unnoticed but can cause severe internal damage. Blunt force trauma to the head, for example, often results in traumatic brain injuries that, if left untreated, can lead to permanent brain damage and death.
How Much Trauma to the Head Causes Death?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question.
In some cases, even a minor bump to the head can lead to complications. It can depend on the person that was injured, if they’ve had any previous head injuries, and how quickly they seek medical attention. Someone could also sustain a severe blunt force head injury and still survive if they get the medical attention they immediately need.
Any blunt force trauma injury, not just head injuries, should be taken seriously until a doctor has given you an official diagnosis or an “all clear.”
Causes of Blunt Force Trauma
Car accidents are the leading cause of trauma injuries around the world. Blunt force injury from a car accident can often be serious and require emergency medical attention. However, many other things can result in blunt force trauma, such as:
- Boating accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck Accidents
In many of these cases, if the injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, such as an at-fault driver, you can file a claim to recover compensation for the blunt force injury.
Filing a Claim and Recovering Compensation for Blunt Force Trauma Injuries
When someone else is responsible for your blunt force injury, you can file a civil claim or a lawsuit to recover compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of the injury. This not only includes compensation for the injury itself, but compensation for other losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
However, to win your case, you will need to be able to prove that another party was at fault for what happened. Insurance companies are often the ones that award money in these cases, but they will not simply hand that money over without proof that someone else did, in fact, cause the accident and your injuries.
For this reason, it is often necessary to work with a personal injury attorney when you file your claim. An attorney can help investigate the case to determine what happened, help you obtain evidence as proof, protect your rights, handle all of the legal paperwork, and handle the negotiations with the other parties and insurance involved to ensure you are awarded the full and fair settlement you deserve.
California Personal Injury Attorney: We Handle Your Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
If you sustain blunt force trauma injuries from an accident in California and need help filing your claim, our team can assist you.
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys know what it takes to ensure our clients get the full and fair compensation they deserve to help pay for their medical bills and other damages.
For help with your blunt force trauma injury, call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
