Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage From Car Accidents

What Type of Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage Can Occur Following a Car Accident?

Internal bleeding and organ damage resulting from an auto accident can sometimes become fatal when left unchecked. Unfortunately, in some instances, internal bleeding or organ damage may not be discovered until significant damage has been done. The impact of an auto accident can result in trauma to the arteries and soft tissues. Internal bleeding is especially common when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist is struck by a passenger vehicle or a truck, due to the absence of protection.

Many people involved in an auto accident are unaware they are suffering from internal bleeding, as there may be no symptoms, or mild symptoms, in the beginning, progressing to deep pain. If the internal bleeding is near the surface of the skin, there may be discoloration or bruising. Swelling near the injured area could also occur, or there may be blood in the urine, stool, or mucus. A body can lose blood at an alarming rate; those who are currently taking anti-clotting medications are at an even greater risk for internal hemorrhage. Internal bleeding that does not cause death can nonetheless create future complications; damaged organs could have decreased function, while internal bleeding in the brain could lead to mental disabilities.

An NCBI study found that for those in serious auto accidents who suffered internal bleeding or organ damage, nearly half died within a half-hour of the accident. Those deaths were the result of major internal hemorrhage or severe blood loss. Of those who died later, the most common causes were multiple organ failure or infection. It is important to note that these deaths followed very severe trauma from a serious auto accident. Less serious auto accidents can also cause internal bleeding and organ damage to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other abdominal organs.

How Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage Can Affect the Victim’s Future

Internal bleeding and organ damage can occur from the impact the body takes in an auto accident. Internal injuries can also occur as a result of an airbag deploying, from an impact injury when the body is ejected and hits the ground or another object, or when the body is struck by hard plastic, glass, or metal while inside the vehicle. Some of the most common internal injuries resulting from an auto accident include:

• Broken or fractured ribs—Unfortunately, while broken or fractured ribs can be extremely painful, there is little a doctor can do, and the ribs must usually heal on their own. In some cases, a broken rib could puncture a lung or damage surrounding blood vessels.
• Ruptured blood vessels that have been damaged in a car accident can cause bleeding that will not clot or can cause a clot that prevents blood circulation. Internal bleeding from ruptured blood vessels must be treated promptly.
• Brain bleeds can be the result of an open or closed head wound resulting from an automobile crash. In some cases, the brain may not receive sufficient oxygen, resulting in some level of brain damage, or pressure on the brain can cause other serious issues.
• When the stomach suffers a severe impact from an auto accident, an abdominal aorta aneurysm can occur. This is extremely difficult to treat and may result in death.
• Spleen damage is another auto accident injury doctors see fairly often. The spleen is located in the abdomen and helps the body fight infection with its disease-fighting blood cells.
• When a lung is punctured from a car accident, air can flood the chest cavity as the lung collapses, resulting in a pneumothorax.
• Liver damage from an auto accident can cause internal bleeding and may require prompt repair of the liver to avoid further complications.
• When the lower back or flank suffers trauma in an auto accident, the damage to the kidneys may be minor or may be permanent, requiring the injured person to undergo kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Understanding Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage

Internal injuries may not have symptoms that show up immediately following an auto accident. When some individuals do finally exhibit symptoms of internal bleeding or organ damage, the person may not realize how serious the internal injuries really are. This is yet another reason that anyone involved in an auto accident should be checked out by a doctor, even if they think they are “fine.”

Since internal bleeding and organ damage can lead to so many serious medical issues, the victim of the auto accident may find themselves buried in medical expenses, possibly unable to work and pay their normal monthly expenses, with no idea what steps to take or where to turn. Those who sustain serious internal bleeding or organ damage from an auto accident caused by the negligence of another driver may be entitled to compensation for:

• All medical expenses, including any adaptive devices or ongoing procedures or rehabilitative therapies needed to cope with the injuries and with day-to-day life
• Any lost wages related to time off from work as a result of the accident, as well as any future reduction in income as a result of the accident and subsequent injuries
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Damages for emotional distress
• Punitive damages in cases where the defendant exhibited willful or malicious behavior that resulted in the auto accident.

How an Experienced Denver Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage

If you or a loved one have suffered internal bleeding or organ damage as the result of a Denver auto accident caused by a negligent driver, your life may be changed forever. One moment you are headed home after work, thinking about the upcoming weekend, or what you will have for dinner, and then in a mere second, a negligent driver has changed everything. You may not be able to work and could be facing an alarming level of medical bills as well as the inability to pay your normal monthly expenses. In short, you are facing long-term health issues as well as financial devastation, through no fault of your own.

Should you find yourself in such a situation, a smart, aggressive auto accident attorney from the Denver Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya can be your salvation. Attorney Dianne Sawaya will work with the insurance company, fighting for your rights and ensuring the insurance company honors their obligation to pay for your medical expenses, your time away from work, and your pain and suffering. Dianne is a highly skilled negotiator as well as a tough, aggressive litigator, and she will use those skills to get you the compensation you are entitled to receive. Contact the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya today for a comprehensive consultation.