Bruises, lacerations, burns, and even broken bones are all relatively easily diagnosed after an auto accident. However, internal injuries are often unnoticed by the injured party. These ailments can have severe and life-threatening effects. Understanding how to identify the signs of internal injuries can be the difference between life and death after a car accident. For more information regarding your legal rights to compensation after a collision, consult with an experienced Rockland County car accident lawyer today.
What is an Internal Injury?
An internal injury is just what it sounds like. The term refers to any damage to a person’s organs or blood vessels that is not visible on the outside of the body. Because these injuries are often undetected, they can cause serious long-term effects and can even be fatal if left untreated.
Examples of internal injuries include the following.
- Internal bleeding
- Punctured lung
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Ruptured spleen
- Fractured or broken ribs
What Are the Signs of Internal Injuries After a Car Accident?
Because internal injuries are not visible without medical tools and devices they can be hard to diagnose and often go unnoticed after a car or other accident. However, these injuries can be life-threatening and have long-lasting effects on a person’s physical health. It is crucial that you are able to identify the signs of internal injuries after a car accident.
- Severe bruising, especially around the abdomen, chest, or head can be a sign of internal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blood in urine or stool
- Shortness of breath
- Paralysis or tingling in extremities
Even if you feel fine it is always important to get a thorough medical evaluation after being involved in a car accident. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms it is especially crucial. Internal injuries, if left untreated, can develop into serious conditions and result in trauma to the body, permanent damage, and even death.
Can I Recover Compensation After My Car Accident?
If you were involved in a car accident one of your top priorities is likely determining how you can collect compensation for your various associated costs. New York is a no-fault accident state, meaning that all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection insurance (PIP).
PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages associated with the accident to compensate you for any costs you had to pay out of pocket during your recovery. If your policy does not cover the entirety of your expenses or you sustained a serious injury, you can generally also file a claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Because of the potential for internal injuries after a car accident, it is crucial that you are thoroughly evaluated by a medical professional and document your symptoms in the days and weeks after the collision. For more information and skilled representation during your case, work with an experienced lawyer at Mitchell J. Schroeder, P.C.
