If You Suffer From Internal Organ Damage After an Accident, the California Personal Injury Lawyers at Sally Morin Law Will Help You Pursue Full and Fair Compensation!

Did you know that your body has a total of 78 internal organs—all of which are vital to the overall performance and health of your body? 

Many people don’t think about their organs because they are out of sight, out of mind. But when it comes to car accidents, your vital organs are just as much at risk as the rest of your body. Just because your organs are internal and protected beneath layers of skin, fat, muscles, tendons, and even bone does not mean they can’t easily become damaged. 

In fact, an internal organ can suffer damage and bleed even when the skin is not punctured. Your organs can become injured from your body being hit by something or even from the force that moves through your body when there is a sudden deceleration from a car’s brakes being slammed.  

Unfortunately, damage to internal organs is not always immediately apparent, especially if there are no external wounds. And if internal organ damage goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications and even death.  

This is why it is so crucial for people to understand how internal organ damage can happen and what the symptoms look like. And even if no symptoms are present, accident victims should always seek immediate medical attention anyway. 

You never know what could be going on inside your body, and proof that you sought immediate medical attention can also help support your case should you file a personal injury claim to recover compensation.  

You should also consult with an experienced personal injury attorney after your California car accident. A personal injury attorney can make the process of filing a claim go a lot smoother. 

They can take care of a lot of the work for you so you can focus on treatment and recovery, and they can ensure you are fully and adequately compensated for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering.  

At Sally Morin, our compassionate team is dedicated to helping people who have been seriously injured in car accidents. We can help you secure a high-value settlement that is enough to cover your damages using our years of experience. 

Don’t hesitate. Reach out to our legal team today for a free case evaluation. 

What Kind of Accidents Cause Internal Organ Damage?

Any number of things could cause someone to suffer from internal organ damage, including

Of all those listed, however, car accidents or any kind of accident involving a motor vehicle, tend to be the most common cause. This is because of the force placed on the body when a person is in a car accident. They can suffer blunt force trauma, penetrating trauma, and deceleration trauma—all of which can damage the internal organs.  

California Car Accident Internal Organ Damage Injuries

Internal organ damage injuries generally fall under one of these three categories:

  • Blunt force trauma injuries: As the name suggests, a blunt force injury to an internal organ occurs when a blunt object strikes against the body or when the body itself is thrown forcefully into an object, such as the chest or abdomen slamming against the steering wheel or the door in a car accident. With this type of injury, there are no open wounds, but that does not mean the damage is not serious. 
  • Penetrating trauma injuries: A penetrating internal organ injury occurs when something pierces or punctures the skin leaving organs exposed and damaged. In this case, there are essentially two different injuries; the open wound itself and the organ that was damaged.  
  • Deceleration trauma injuries: This type of injury occurs when the body suddenly stops due to an immediate deceleration but the internal organs keep moving. This causes them to suffer damage. The heart, lung, and brain are most often damaged in this situation. 

Examples of common internal organ damage injuries include:

As many internal organ damage injuries occur without a penetrating wound, serious complications often arise from victims failing to seek immediate medical treatment. When no sign of external damage is apparent or when there are no immediate symptoms present, car accident victims will sometimes assume they are fine and will avoid going to the hospital. 

This is why victims must get checked out as soon as possible just to make sure nothing is going on internally. If an internal organ injury is left untreated it can result in internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, and ruptures, all of which can lead to death if not treated right away. 

Signs You May Be Suffering From Internal Organ Damage After a Car Accident

Though signs of a damaged internal organ are not always immediately apparent, there are still some signs and symptoms you can look out for. In most cases, these symptoms are a sign of internal bleeding, and you should seek emergency medical care right away to avoid further damage and complications:

  • Pain in the area that was struck
  • Bruising
  • Dizziness
  • Severe weakness
  • Feeling sweaty and feverish
  • Chills
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Visual problems
  • Numbness in parts of the body
  • Severe headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blood in urine or stools
  • Pain in the abdomen

How Internal Organ Damage Can Affect Your Life

The most serious outcome of internal organ damage that can alter a person’s life is, of course, death. Though an internal injury might not feel that bad at first, it can result in complications, as mentioned above, which can lead to death if the injury is left untreated or if it is treated too late. 

Even if someone seeks immediate medical care, damage to an internal organ could still be permanent and result in life-long complications, especially if the heart or brain was damaged. And in any case, no matter what organ was injured, treatment is often expensive. 

This is why it’s important to file a personal injury claim. If your injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you can recover compensation in the form of a settlement from the insurance company that can help you pay for your injury and other damages. 

Still, even with a fair settlement, the injury you sustain could affect you for the rest of your life. But the settlement provided can at least help you live more comfortably, knowing that your financial situation will be taken care of. 

How Is Fault Determined for Internal Organ Damage Injuries After an Accident in California?

After an accident in California, many factors will be taken into consideration when determining who is at fault. Furthermore, California is a comparative fault state, which means that more than one person can carry the blame for causing an accident, including you as the injured victim. 

The factors that can play a role in determining fault include:

  • The location of the accident
  • Which laws were broken
  • Police reports
  • Witness testimonies
  • Evidence of damaged vehicles or equipment involved
  • Available video footage 
  • Photographic evidence 

How Much Is My California Internal Organ Damage Case Worth?

There is no predetermined amount assigned for personal injury claims based on the type of injury a person sustains. Just as various factors are used to determine fault, several factors will be taken into consideration to determine how much money a victim is owed. Typically, however, the more severe the accident and injuries sustained, the more money the victim deserves to be awarded. 

The factors that will play a part in determining how much compensation you will be awarded, also known as damages, include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity 
  • Cost of lost or damaged property, such as car repairs
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of consortium

What Should I Do After Sustaining Internal Organ Damage From a California Car Accident?

After sustaining internal organ damage in a car accident, there are six primary steps you should take as the victim to build a strong case and ensure you get the full and fair settlement you deserve:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The sooner you get your injuries checked out, the better. Immediate medical attention is crucial to your health and wellbeing, but you will also need medical evidence to show proof of your injuries to support your case.

2. Collect Evidence

The evidence provided in a personal injury case after an accident is vital. You will need as much evidence as possible to prove what happened and who was at fault. This can include:

  • Photos of the accident scene as a whole
  • Photos of injuries
  • Photos of car damage 
  • Photos or car marks on the road and other road conditions that may have contributed to the accident
  • Video footage of the accident
  • Witness statements and contact information

3. File a Claim

After the accident, you will want to contact your insurance company to get a claim started as soon as possible. However, you should be mindful not to say anything that could be used against you, such as admitting fault. It’s best to just focus on the basics, such as name, contact information, and the basics of what happened. 

4. Avoid Posting on Social Media

While some people generally use social media to stay connected with friends and loved ones, it is a bad idea to post openly about your accident and what happened. Anything you say or post could be used against you by the guilty party’s insurance company. 

5. Don’t Give Recorded Statements

It is fairly common for insurance companies to use tactics to convince injured victims into giving up information that could be used against them. They are always looking for ways to deny claims or reduce settlement amounts. So no matter what an insurance adjuster says to you, do not allow them to record your conversations, do not admit to fault or apologize, and do not downplay your injuries. 

6. Hire a California Personal Injury Attorney

After an accident, it is always best to consult with an attorney before talking to insurance companies or anyone else. Beyond sharing the basics, there is a lot that could be used against you if you are not careful, and it’s also easy for other mistakes to be made that can negatively affect your claim.  

With an attorney on your side, however, they can guide you through the process to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. They will help you file your claim, gather evidence, handle paperwork, and instruct you on how to speak with those involved. 

Overall, working with an attorney means you are more likely to win your case and get the settlement you deserve. 

Contact a Qualified California Internal Organ Damage Attorney

Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers can handle the complicated legal issues involved in your claim so that you can put all of your focus and energy on recovering from your injuries. With a trustworthy, experienced personal injury attorney by your side, there is no reason to worry and stress about your situation.

We Handle Your Personal Injury Claim So You Can Focus on Your Life

After sustaining internal organ damage in a car accident, consult with the personal injury attorneys at Sally Morin Law. We truly care about the people of California. 

Contact us today for a free online case evaluation or call 833-SALLY-SF.