The Six Most Common Internal Injuries Caused by a Car Accident

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every day, more than 10,400 people go to an emergency room after a car accident. And this number underestimates, by far, how many people are actually injured in car accidents, because so often people don’t seek medical treatment for injuries they don’t see – we’re talking about internal injuries.

These types of injuries can be discovered days or weeks after the crash and can be deadly if left untreated. Let’s take a look at the six most common internal injuries caused by a car crash, symptoms of internal injuries, and why it’s important to talk with an experienced personal injury attorney if you or someone you know has suffered an internal injury from a car accident.

Six Most Common Internal Injuries Caused by a Car Accident

Immediately following a car accident, the first thing people should do—if they’re able—is to check to see if they or any others were injured in the crash. Sometimes it’s easy to see an injury, but very often, injuries aren’t immediately obvious. Here’s a look at some of the more common internal injuries from a car wreck.

Traumatic Brain Injury – When the force of an accident causes the brain to slam into the inside of the skull, it can result in bruising or bleeding on the brain. These traumatic brain injuries can lead to headaches, problems with memory or concentration, an inability to sleep, and emotional instability.

Depending on the severity of the injury, a traumatic brain injury or TMI can lead to short-term or long-term problems, or even permanent medical issues.

Internal Bleeding –The trauma of a car accident can cause blood vessels in the body to rupture, leaving them unable to clot and repair themselves. Internal bleeding can cause abdominal pain, lightheadedness, chills, and fatigue.

In some cases, surgery may be needed to stop the bleeding and repair the blood vessels. Left untreated, internal bleeding can be deadly—so, it’s important to pay attention to your body after an accident and to seek medical attention if something doesn’t seem right.

Damaged Organs – Any crash, especially one involving high speeds, can lead to catastrophic injuries. When our bodies are violently jolted or when they experience “blunt force” trauma, internal organs are often damaged.

This includes the liver, kidneys, and spleen. The unseen damage can cause the organs to stop functioning properly and can ultimately lead to serious health issues and even death. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery could be the only course to repair the damage and to restore the function of the organ.

Broken Ribs – After an accident, one of the more common and most painful injuries is broken ribs. This type of injury can also lead to severely limited mobility. Treatment involves rest, medication, and at times, physical therapy. Surgery may also be needed if fractured ribs caused other internal damage. Recovery can take weeks and even months.

Pneumothorax – As just mentioned, fractured ribs can cause other internal damage, in some cases leading to a punctured lung. This causes the lung to collapse when air escapes the lung and enters the chest cavity. This type of injury can result in pain, chest tightness, difficulty breathing and fatigue. In this situation, surgery is most often needed.

Abdominal Injuries – Multiple injuries can result from one impact. Organs housed within the abdominal area—like the diaphragm, intestines, stomach and bladder—are very vulnerable in car accidents. Damaged internal organs can cause severe bleeding, infection, or sepsis. When these organs are injured, symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and extreme pain in localized areas.

Internal Injuries From a Slip and Fall Accident

While many accident victims who are dealing with internal injuries were in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, an accident involving a tractor trailer or a commercial vehicle accident, there are others who got their injuries from a slip and fall accident.

Whether on the job or on someone else’s property, slip and fall accidents happen—and quite often. Every year, slips and falls account for more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits.

In many instances, these accidents are the result of poorly maintained properties or unsafe working conditions. Whatever the case, slip and fall accidents can lead to serious, and even life-threatening, injuries, including internal injuries.

A fall can cause many external injuries that are noticeable, but it can also cause various internal injuries. Ruptured organs, punctured lungs, and brain damage can all result from a slip and fall accident.

Symptoms of Internal Injuries After an Accident

After a slip and fall or a car accident, it’s always best to be examined by a doctor to ensure your injuries aren’t more serious than you think. While you can’t see internal injuries, there are several things to keep an eye on that may be a key indicator you have suffered an internal injury. Symptoms of internal injuries include:

• Abdominal or chest pain
• Weakness or lethargy
• Vomiting or nausea
• Dizziness of loss of consciousness
• Severe headaches
• Seizures
• Tingling sensations
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Low blood pressure
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Blood in urine
• Swelling in joints

Personal Injury Attorney for Internal Injuries

Although many of these injuries aren’t immediately obvious and can go undetected, internal injuries can turn into a very dangerous situation, very quickly, if they are not promptly dealt with by a medical professional. That’s why it’s always best to be evaluated by a doctor after any accident. Not only is this vital to your health, but having the proper medical paperwork and documentation is critical when filing a personal injury claim.

If your internal injuries were caused by another driver who was being negligent, a personal injury claim can help with your medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and more.

Internal injuries often require costly surgeries, treatments, and medication – and can lead to a lifetime of pain and limitations. Personal injury cases involving internal injuries require careful analysis of all the facts regarding the cause of the injury, as well as identifying the reasons and people responsible.

Internal Injury Law Firm Lancaster, Pa.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. in Lancaster, PA, we understand how internal injuries can affect an individual’s physical and emotional well-being, not just in the short term—but for many years to come. We are highly experienced in representing car accident and fall victims who are suffering from internal injuries, and our lawyers have a deep understanding of the complexities of evaluating these types of cases.

Our team will work closely with you to ensure that your case is presented effectively, and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. We will work with your medical team to ensure that all relevant evidence is presented, including medical records, expert testimony, and witness statements. Our attorneys have extensive experience in negotiating with insurance companies to maximize the value of settlements for our clients.

If you are a victim of an accident that caused internal injuries and are seeking compensation, working with a top-rated personal injury or workers’ comp lawyer can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations to review your case and never charge any upfront fees for our services. We are only paid when we win your case. Contact us today either online or by calling 1-800-HURT-NOW.