Common Internal Injuries That Occur in Car Accidents
Internal injuries sustained in a vehicle crash can be dangerous as they typically go undiagnosed until patients undergo serious complications well after the injury occurs. Sadly, many victims do not consent to treatment at the car accident site, believing that everything is fine. But right after an accident, choosing to receive a thorough medical assessment at an emergency room or urgent care center could help in the early detection of a serious internal injury and debilitating or deadly injury.
Concussions
Concussions cause a temporary loss of normal brain function that happens when the brain undergoes a violent jerk or shake within the skull. It usually occurs due to a powerful blow to the head or body in an auto accident.
Brain Contusion
If a person is struck on the head or receives a violent shake, it can lead to bruising of the brain. Further, this type of injury may result from whiplash during a car crash. When the brain hits the skull with force, it can cause a tearing of the tissues and blood vessels inside the brain.
Epidural Hematoma
Epidural Hematoma refers to the bleeding inside the head when the skull sustains a fracture, and a piece of the bone cuts the blood vessels in the region. The blood accumulates in the space between the outer membrane that encompasses the brain and skull, and this is known as a hematoma. When the hematoma expands, it puts strain on the brain, which may even prove fatal. Injuries that occur due to the temple being struck, such as when hit by a baseball or a baseball bat, may often cause an epidural hematoma.
Skull Fracture
The possibility that the skull bone may fracture is quite high when the head collides powerfully with another object. If the fractured bone does not move, the outcome is a linear skull fracture that does not usually warrant any treatment. In a depressed skull fracture, the skull sinks in the area where the bone has fractured, which can put pressure on the brain. These types of fractures necessitate corrective surgery.
Internal Bleeding
One of the most severe consequences of any trauma is internal bleeding. In many cases, the internal bleeding victim will also have other, more apparent injuries. Those gross injuries (medical speak for self-evident wounds) may be adequate to send a vehicle accident victim to the nearest emergency room, where their internal bleeding will soon be detected.
However, victims often do not show any signs of internal bleeding. With that said, they may refuse medical help. For this reason, internal bleeding is serious as the undetected and unknown condition will continue. Blood will continue to seep from the circulatory system, starving the body of nutrients and oxygen and enabling wastes to collect. Gradually, blood pressure dips so low that the victim becomes unconscious. They may even pass away before an emergency medical care team can revive them.
Internal bleeding symptoms may be very inconspicuous but may become more apparent over time. Also, the signs vary, depending on the location of the bleeding and the volume of blood loss. In general, though, signs of internal blood loss include the following:
- Abdomen inflammation or pain, particularly if it worsens over time
- Blood in the stools or urine
- Severe fatigue
- Blood in vomit
- A deep purple, flat bruise (ecchymosis) occurs when blood leaks into the tissues from the damaged blood vessels
- Feeling light-headed, dizzy, or faint
- Slurred speech, confusion, or problems concentrating
- Loss of consciousness
- Low blood pressure
Other Internal Injuries
Ruptured Spleen
In many cases of a ruptured spleen, the organ must be removed. The spleen will often rupture due to a blunt force trauma to the body’s left side. If left untreated, this condition can lead to rapid internal bleeding and infection development.
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is the medical term used to describe the grave condition when a rib punctures the lung. Such injuries usually lead to a collapsed lung and the loss of the ability to fill with air. Rather, the lung might then fill with blood and other fluids, leading to further complications for doctors to address once normal breathing is restored.
Organ Damage
Internal hemorrhaging creates distinct effects on the body, depending on the area of bleeding and its severity. Besides causing organ failure and pain, this condition might cause death due to blood loss. The victim may go into septic shock with slower bleeds that might become infected.
Other injuries
The powerful impact of a vehicle collision could lead to abdominal pain, brain damage, clotting, fractured bones, kidney damage, aneurysm, abdominal injuries, and a ruptured spleen. Victims might experience internal injuries that cause lightheadedness and internal bleeding symptoms such as tenderness, inflammation, bruising, infection, and redness.
Consult a Skilled Kentucky Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Did you or someone you love sustain internal injuries and require compensation through an insurance company? If so, John H. Ruby & Associates provides comprehensive legal services to those who have experienced life-changing injuries. Our lawyers can assist you get the justice you deserve and collect the significant compensation you are entitled to get in an injury claim. To speak to one of our attorneys, call today at (502) 895-2626.