Common Internal Injuries That Occur on Impact
Internal injuries can cause significant issues for victims, as they often get missed at the scene of the accident. In some situations, symptoms don’t appear for hours or even days. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible after any kind of serious impact.
Discuss your accident claim in greater detail, call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 412-567-1232 or toll-free at 866-466-5789.
Broken Ribs and Pneumothorax
Broken ribs often occur in moderate or serious crashes. The impact, the pressure of seatbelts on the ribs, or the force of slamming into the steering wheel can all lead to broken ribs. In some cases, broken ribs are simply cracked. While extremely painful, this condition can often heal by itself with rest and stabilization. However, when a rib breaks badly enough to move out of place, it can puncture the lung and cause a pneumothorax. A pneumothorax happens when the rib pierces the lung, causing air to flood into the chest cavity and causing the lung to deflate.
Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm
This is a particularly serious injury that is, unfortunately, often fatal for victims. Compression of the stomach during an accident can cause the aorta to rupture. The rush of blood into the abdominal cavity and the massive loss of blood is often fatal.
Ruptured Spleen
A ruptured spleen may or may not be treatable, depending on its severity. When the spleen ruptures, it generally causes massive internal bleeding. If too much blood is lost, the victim is likely to die. In some cases, surgical treatment can save the victim. However, this relies on prompt identification and treatment of the injury.
Other Types of Organ Damage
Just as the spleen and lungs can suffer serious damage in an impact, so can any other organs in the body. Outcomes vary, but any type of rupture or piercing of the organ can cause internal bleeding.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is, perhaps, one of the worst possible injuries. When blood vessels are damaged in a crash or an internal organ is ruptured, blood floods into the cavities of the body. Damage to blood vessels can leave them unable to clot or repair. Left untreated, internal bleeding is fatal.
Symptoms
Ideally, you’ll seek medical care as soon as possible after a serious impact. However, for those who skip an initial checkup and are just keeping an eye on their symptoms at home, it is crucial to watch out for symptoms of internal injuries. For most of these injuries, immediate identification and treatment is essential. Watch out for the following symptoms and seek immediate treatment if they occur:
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Cold feeling that doesn’t go away with blankets or heat
- Lightheadedness
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Purple bruising around the abdomen
- Thirst
These symptoms help you identify internal bleeding, one of the most dangerous injuries. However, you’ll also want to watch out for signs of traumatic brain injuries, such as:
- Fatigue
- Rapid changes in mood
- Unexpected changes in behavior or speech patterns
- Lashing out at others when it’s inappropriate
- Inappropriate laughter or comments
- Headaches that worsen with time
- Difficulty remembering information
- Confusion about where you are or what has happened
- Slurring of the words
In any case, unexpected symptoms after a car accident warrant a trip to the hospital and a full workup.
Contact Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Now to Discuss Your Options
If you have suffered internal injuries in a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation for everything you have lost. Let us guide you through this challenging time. Set up a consultation now by getting in touch online or calling us at 412-567-1232 or toll-free at 866-466-5789.
