Car Accidents: Internal Bleeding Injuries
In serious car accidents like high-speed car crashes, internal bleeding injuries are possible. Internal bleeding can be the result of trauma to an organ such as the liver, lungs, brain, heart, aorta, kidneys or spleen.
If you or a loved one has suffered life-threatening internal injuries after car accident you likely have extensive medical bills and over recovery expenses. Speak to a car accident lawyer about how you can recoup damages and get to the best possible quality of life.
What is internal bleeding?
According to WebMd, internal bleeding or internal hemorrhage is a loss of blood that comes from the vascular system and flows into a body cavity. It is always a serious medical emergency but the scope of severity depends on the rate of bleeding and which body part is bleeding. In some cases internal bleeding injuries are delayed by hours or days and get worse as time goes on. In less severe cases, the bleeding may stop without intervention. Surgery is required in cases where the bleeding does not stop on its own.
Signs of internal bleeding
In serious car accidents, drivers and passengers may experience the following internal injuries:
- When a large area of the skin turns a deep purple color, it can be caused by bleeding into the skin and soft tissues.
- Swelling, tightness, and pain in the leg can be a sign of internal bleeding in the thigh. (Usually caused by a fracture of the thighbone).
- Headache and loss of consciousness can be caused by internal bleeding in the brain.
- Abdominal pain and/or swelling may be caused by internal bleeding in the liver or spleen.
When an injured person loses enough blood to any body part, it can result in light-headedness, dizziness or fainting. Internal injuries are life threatening and should be treated by a medical professional immediately.
When internal bleeding is caused by trauma
The two main types of trauma that can lead to internal bleeding are:
Blunt trauma – blunt trauma occurs when a body part crashes into/collides with an object, typically at high speed. The sheer force of the collision or the crash into a blunt object causes blood vessels inside the body to be crushed or tear. This type of trauma is occurs more in car accidents.
Penetrating trauma – penetrating trauma occurs when a foreign object penetrates the body, tearing a hole in one or more blood vessels. This type of trauma is most common in gunshot wounds, stabbings, or when a person falls onto a sharp object.
The most serious body parts affected by internal bleeding due to trauma are:
- Head trauma with internal bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage)
- Bleeding around the lungs (hemothorax)
- Bleeding around the heart (hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade)
- Tears in the large blood vessels close to the body’s core (aorta, superior and inferior vena cava, and their major branches)
- An injury caused by trauma to the abdomen such as liver or spleen lacerations or perforation of other organs
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
