Internal Injuries Caused By a Car Accident

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Car crashes are an unfortunate reality of modern life. In 2021, there were 282,640 car accidents in Michigan, with 1,131 fatalities and 51,666 injuries. While some injuries from car accidents are visible, many people also suffer internal damage from car accidents.

Internal injuries caused by a car accident can be particularly serious, as they may not be immediately apparent and can lead to long-term health problems or death. Understanding the types of internal injuries in a car accident can help you get the medical care you need after a collision.

The Michigan car accident lawyer from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can help you seek fair compensation after a car crash. We will investigate the car crash that caused your internal injuries and file a claim for damages from the negligent driver so you can focus on recovery and rebuilding your life.

The Dangers of Internal Car Accident Injuries

Internal damage from car accidents is often dangerous because these injuries may not be immediately visible or noticeable to the victim. Without proper medical attention, internal injuries can worsen and lead to long-term damage. This damage can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and mood swings, leading to poor relationships, lost work, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Some internal damage from car accidents, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or spinal cord injuries (SCIs), can result in permanent disability or paralysis. 30% of TBIs are due to car accidents and can take weeks or months to fully manifest symptoms.

Internal bleeding, such as brain bleeds or abdominal bleeding, can also be a serious concern. These injuries may not be noticeable until the bleeding has caused irreparable harm to your internal organs. Hemorrhaging, or uncontrolled bleeding, is the leading cause of death for Americans under 46.

Internal injuries can be challenging to diagnose and treat, requiring specialized medical attention and extensive testing. If you are involved in a car accident, seek care from a medical professional immediately, even if you feel fine. They can perform appropriate tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CAT scans, to identify internal injuries and treat you.

Types of Internal Injuries Caused By a Car Accident

Car accidents can cause a variety of internal injuries, ranging from mild to life-threatening, including:

• Broken ribs: The force of the collision can cause fractures in the ribs, leading to severe pain and difficulty breathing.
• Collapsed lung (Pneumothorax): Punctured lungs can collapse, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue.
• Damage to the liver: The liver may be bruised or lacerated in a car accident, which can cause internal bleeding and abdominal pain.
• Internal bleeding: Blunt force trauma may cause internal bleeding, which can go unnoticed at the time of the accident but can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
• Kidney damage: If your kidneys are injured in a car accident, it can result in abdominal pain, blood in the urine, and kidney failure.
• Organ damage: Like the liver and kidneys, any organ, including the spleen, pancreas, and intestines, can be damaged in a car accident. This damage may result in internal bleeding, shock, and infection.
• Rupture of the abdominal aorta: The abdominal aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lower body. A car accident may cause it to rupture, leading to severe bleeding that requires immediate treatment.
• Ruptured spleen: If the spleen ruptures in a car accident, it may cause severe abdominal pain, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): The brain can be injured in a car accident, causing headaches, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. More severe traumatic brain injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Internal Injury Symptoms to Look for After a Car Accident

After a car accident, pay close attention to symptoms of internal bleeding, as they can be just as dangerous as external wounds. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may indicate you are suffering from internal injuries caused by a car crash, and you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Blood in urine or stool: Internal injuries can cause bleeding in the internal organs, resulting in your urine or stool. This can be an indicator of serious injury and requires immediate medical attention.
• Pain or tenderness in the abdomen: This can be a sign of internal bleeding or damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
• Difficulty breathing: If you have been in a serious car crash, you may have sustained injuries to your lungs or chest. Symptoms of these injuries include shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
• Nausea or vomiting: If you experience nausea or vomiting after a car crash, it could be a sign of a head injury, internal bleeding, or damage to your internal organs.
• Headache or dizziness: A head injury can cause headaches, dizziness, or confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car crash, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Head injuries can be serious and may require immediate treatment.
• Loss of consciousness: Losing consciousness after a car crash could indicate a concussion or more severe brain injury.
• Bruising or swelling: Any significant bruising or swelling after a car crash could be a sign of internal bleeding or damage to your soft tissues.
• Numbness or tingling: If you experience numbness or tingling in your limbs after a car crash, it could be a sign of nerve damage or a spinal cord injury.
• Vaginal bleeding (aside from menstrual bleeding): Vaginal bleeding not related to your normal menstrual cycle after a crash could be an indication of trauma or injury to the reproductive organs or the urinary system.

Causes of Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding after a car accident poses serious risks to your health. You can lose around 14% of your blood volume without experiencing adverse symptoms, but more than that, and blood loss can impact your internal organs and processes.

Auto collisions are responsible for a high number of fatal hemorrhages. These are often the result of the forceful impact and the sudden stop experienced during the crash, leading to different types of trauma that can cause internal bleeding.

• Blunt trauma: Blunt trauma occurs when a part of the body hits an object with force, but the skin is not broken. In car accidents, this can happen when the body forcefully collides with parts of the vehicle, such as the steering wheel or dashboard.
  This impact can cause blood vessels to burst or organs to tear, leading to internal bleeding. The symptoms might not be immediately apparent, making it a dangerous condition.
• Decelerating trauma: Decelerating trauma is caused by the rapid slowing down or stopping of the body while the internal organs continue to move forward due to inertia. This type of trauma can lead to the tearing of the ligaments that hold internal organs in place.
  It can cause organs to collide with each other or the skeletal system. This often affects the brain, heart, and other organs, leading to internal bleeding and requiring immediate medical attention.
• Penetrating trauma: Penetrating trauma involves an object piercing the body, creating an open wound that can damage internal organs and blood vessels. In car accidents, this can occur from shattered glass or metal fragments.
  Direct damage to blood vessels or organs can cause internal bleeding, which is usually visible and demands urgent medical intervention to prevent severe complications.

Internal Bleeding Treatment

Treating internal bleeding effectively is crucial for preventing serious health complications following an accident. The treatment approach varies depending on the severity and source of the bleeding:

• Stabilization of the patient: This initial step involves ensuring the patient’s airway is open, breathing is stable, and circulation is sufficient. Medical teams may administer oxygen and intravenous fluids to preserve blood pressure and ensure organs receive blood.
• Observation for less severe cases: When the internal bleeding is not life-threatening, doctors may monitor the patient in a medical setting. They will carefully track vital signs and use imaging tests to ensure the bleeding stabilizes or decreases on its own, ready to intervene if necessary.
• Surgical intervention for severe bleeding: Surgery may become necessary when bleeding is extreme or does not stop on its own. Through surgical procedures, doctors can fix damaged blood vessels or organs and clear out any accumulated blood, addressing the root cause of the bleeding.
• Medication to assist in blood clotting: When bleeding results from a specific condition or is minor, doctors may prescribe medications that help the blood clot more efficiently, such as antifibrinolytic agents, aiding in the body’s natural healing process.
• Long-term care: This phase focuses on recovery and prevention of injury complications from the accident. It can involve follow-up appointments, possible physical therapy for strength and function, lifestyle adjustments for health management, and support for psychological well-being.

Compensation for Internal Injuries

If you have suffered internal damage in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In Michigan, you can seek compensation for medical expenses from your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance up to your policy limit.

If your injuries are severe, including a spinal cord injury or other internal injuries that leave you with permanent loss of function, you can file a third-party claim against the negligent driver’s insurance.

Nurse attorney and senior partner Eileen Kroll can help you with your car accident case. With her background in both nursing and law, Eileen is uniquely qualified to understand the medical aspects of your case and fight for the financial compensation you deserve. She can help you navigate the legal system and negotiate with insurance companies to protect your rights and maximize your settlement.

Eileen and her team can also help you gather the necessary evidence to prove the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. With their help, you can focus on your recovery while they work to get you the compensation you need to move forward after a car accident.

Your legal team will seek the following damages in your car crash claim:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s visits, and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages or income due to missed work or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including physical and emotional distress caused by the injury
• Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle or personal belongings
• Loss of enjoyment of life, such as the inability to participate in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed
• Disability or disfigurement caused by the injury
• Long-term care or ongoing medical treatment for chronic conditions resulting from the injury

Get Legal Help Dealing with Internal Injuries from a Car Accident

Suffering internal damage from car accidents can be a life-altering experience, and the road to recovery can be long and challenging. Working with the skilled personal injury attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. will help you receive the restitution you deserve.

With our extensive experience and knowledge, we can help you obtain the best possible outcome for your case. If you or a loved one has suffered internal injuries from a car accident, contact our attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your legal options for compensation for internal injuries caused by a car accident.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-779-7331 and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.