Not all injuries from a car accident are immediately visible, but they may still be serious. Some people experience internal bleeding as a result of a crash. In fact, some internal injuries are among the most severe that a person can sustain in an accident. Internal bleeding can lead to hemorrhagic shock which can be fatal.
If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s imperative to seek medical attention right away. Internal injuries such as internal bleeding can be life-threatening if left untreated. Your physician is trained to use imaging equipment to diagnose serious internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent to you after a crash occurs.
If you have suffered internal injuries as a result of a negligent driver, the at-fault driver may be held accountable for your medical bills and loss of income. At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our injury attorneys understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the process of pursuing financial recovery for your injuries, especially when you’re in the midst of physical recovery.
Our dedicated car accident attorneys in Kentucky will take the burden off your shoulders by investigating the accident and building a compelling case for the full compensation you deserve. We have the experience, resources, and Kentucky Courage needed to take on a large insurance company on your behalf. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We also handle property damage claims for our car crash injury clients for FREE, don’t be afraid to ask when contacting us. We’re on your side.
Definition of Internal Injury
Internal injuries are injuries that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Internal injuries commonly occur in car accidents and may go unnoticed for a period of time.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important that you seek a prompt medical examination. Sometimes, the symptoms of internal injuries can take days to become apparent, by which time the injury may have developed into a serious medical issue.
Types of Internal Injuries from Car Accidents
The majority of internal injuries are caused by trauma to the body.
Penetrating trauma
Penetrating trauma occurs when the body is punctured during a collision. For instance, the vital organs could be penetrated by a shard of glass from a shattered window, or a broken rib bone could cause a puncture wound to the lungs. When organs and tissue are penetrated in the course of a collision, internal bleeding can occur.
Blunt force trauma
This type of trauma occurs when the body is forcefully struck by an object during a collision, but not penetrated. For instance, when a person’s head bangs against a windshield or steering wheel, that can generate bruising or acute internal bleeding on the brain, which can be life-threatening.
Some common examples of internal injuries caused by car accidents include:
- Broken ribs and damaged lungs – Blunt trauma often causes broken ribs in a car accident. If a driver is thrown against the steering wheel, he or she can sustain a crushed rib cage. Broken ribs can puncture the lungs, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Anytime internal bleeding occurs around the brain, the heart, or the lungs, it can be serious and requires immediate medical attention.
- Collarbone fractures – Although seat belts are designed to protect passengers and should be worn at all times, they can cause collarbone fractures if a driver is thrown against the restraint at high speed.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Skull fractures, hematomas, and brain bleeds can occur when the head sustains blunt force trauma. Hematomas and brain bleeds may not be immediately apparent right after a crash occurs, but they can be life-threatening.
- Organ injury – The impact of a collision can cause internal bleeding within organs. The liver, spleen, and kidneys are all commonly affected organs in car accidents. If internal bleeding is not stopped, the internal injuries can be fatal.
- Pneumothorax – Pneumothorax occurs when a rib bone penetrates the lung, causing bleeding and causing the chest cavity to fill with air.
- Abdominal aorta aneurysm – The aorta is the body’s largest vessel. If the stomach is compressed during a collision, this can cause the aorta to burst. This type of injury is often fatal.
Common Symptoms of Internal Bleeding Injuries
Internal bleeding can evidence itself through a variety of symptoms. Knowing what those symptoms are can help you detect signs of internal bleeding before it is too late. Internal bleeding symptoms differ based on the area of the body where the bleeding occurs.
Internal bleeding in the head can cause symptoms such as:
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty writing
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Inability to focus
- Severe headache
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Tingling in the limbs
- Difficulty swallowing
- Blurred vision or distorted hearing
- Loss of consciousness
Internal bleeding in the joints and muscles can cause symptoms such as:
- Joint pain
- Reduced range of motion
- Swelling
Internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity can cause symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Tarry stools
- Bleeding from bodily orifices, including the ears, nose, mouth, and anus
Sometimes, internal bleeding causes a person to experience shock. Shock typically occurs when a significant amount of blood is lost due to internal bleeding.
Typical symptoms of shock include:
- Pale, clammy skin
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Lethargy, fatigue, and drowsiness
- Weakness and numbness throughout the body
Compensation for Internal Injuries
If your doctor suspects you may be bleeding internally, the doctor will typically conduct diagnostic tests to locate the source of the bleeding. If the tests do not identify internal bleeding, then your doctor may simply keep you under observation.
If you suspect that you are suffering from internal bleeding after a car accident, it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Internal bleeding can become a serious medical issue if it is left untreated.
If you sustained internal injuries as the result of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation. When it comes to car insurance, Kentucky is a choice no-fault state. Vehicle owners may carry no-fault insurance or choose to opt out of the no-fault insurance system. Under the no-fault system, drivers turn first to their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault.
When you opt out of no-fault insurance, you retain the right to file a claim against the at-fault party for compensation. However, even if you have no-fault insurance, you can still pursue compensation from the at-fault driver if the accident resulted in $1,000 or more in medical bills or if it caused serious injury, such as a bone fracture.
When pursuing an injury claim, you may seek compensation for the following types of expenses and losses:
- Medical bills – This may include expenses such as emergency services, surgeries, scans, prescription medications, physical therapy sessions, and any other medical costs related to your recovery.
- Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from doing your job, compensation may cover the loss of income you experience as a result of not being able to work.
- Lost earning potential – If you suffered a long-term or permanent injury that prevents you from returning to work, your potential lost future earnings may be covered.
- Property damage – If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, then compensation will cover the cost of the damages to your car.
- Pain and suffering – You may seek compensation to cover non-economic losses, such as the physical pain and emotional distress you suffered as a result of your injuries.
In the days and weeks after a car accident, you can take steps to increase your chances of getting the fair compensation you deserve, such as:
- Follow your doctor’s care plan – In the weeks and months following the accident, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attend all of your follow-up medical appointment to show that you’re doing what is required to recover.
- Keep a pain journal – This is a written record of any physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the car accident.
- Collect documentation – Get a copy of the police report from the car accident, and gather your medical documentation, including prescription labels, doctor notes, imaging scans, and medical bills. It’s important to keep track of your medical expenses to determine the extent of your losses.
- Don’t post on social media – It’s best not to speak publicly about the accident until your claim has been resolved. Talking about the accident on social media could end up hurting your case. Insurance companies may attempt to use anything you say against you to reduce your payout.
- Consult with an attorney – Working with a skilled Kentucky car accident attorney who is experienced at negotiating with insurance adjusters can help you maximize the amount of compensation you receive. Our attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can take the burden of seeking just compensation off your shoulders and build a persuasive case for compensation on your behalf.
How a Kentucky Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Me with My Internal Injury Claim
If you have suffered internal injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the Lexington car accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are here to help. We’ll work with you to investigate the accident, gather evidence to support your claim, and negotiate for a full settlement to help you recover financially from the effects of the accident. We are known for the Kentucky Courage we bring to helping our clients.
We have offices across Kentucky in Lexington, Somerset, Manchester, London, North London, Hazard, Paducah, Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Princeton.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
