Common Internal Injuries That Occur in Accidents

Internal injuries are an extremely dangerous outcome for any accident victims. While they may not be immediately visible, they are often life-threatening if not treated promptly. This is one reason you should always seek medical care immediately after an accident.

Learn more about common internal injuries suffered by injury victims. To discuss case in greater detail, call the team at Haygood, Cleveland, Pierce, Thompson & Short at 334-821-3892.

Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm

Blunt force trauma that compresses the stomach can lead to an abdominal aorta aneurysm. This causes the abdominal aorta to bulge or swell, and ultimately rupture. Unfortunately, this is generally a fatal injury. Patients can sometimes survive this injury if the aneurysm is identified early and treated prior to rupture. The rupture causes massive internal bleeding, which is usually fatal.

Ruptured Spleen

Like an abdominal aorta aneurysm, a ruptured spleen often leads to significant internal bleeding that is fatal for many patients. This occurs when the spleen, located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, suffers significant trauma in a crash. When the covering of the spleen breaks open, the abdominal area is flooded with blood. The speed and amount depends on how large the rupture is. This injury can often be cured with surgery if detected in time.

Broken Ribs and Pneumothorax

Broken ribs are fairly common in crashes, but the outcome depends on how much the broken rib is displaced. If the rib is relatively stable, it can often heal with minimal intervention and sufficient rest. If it is significantly displaced, it can puncture the lung and cause a pneumothorax. A complete pneumothorax causes the entire lung to collapse, while a partial pneumothorax only collapses part of the lung.

Traumatic Brain Injury

For many patients, a traumatic brain injury is the most frightening injury. Traumatic brain injuries vary significantly in severity and prognosis. A lot depends on which part of the brain is impacted. For example, damage to the prefrontal cortex could affect your ability to control your emotions, make logical decisions, and think rationally.

Damage to the part of the brain that controls your memory could keep you from recalling existing memories or make it hard to create new memories. The brain does have some plasticity, so there is a chance of a traumatic brain injury healing fully with appropriate treatment and intervention. Again, much depends on how quickly the TBI is detected and treated.

Brain Bleed

A brain bleed can be the result of an open or closed head wound. As blood accumulates in the brain, oxygen cannot reach different areas of the brain. Without oxygen, parts of the brain can die or suffer permanent damage. These injuries are not always immediately detected, but prompt detection is the best way to minimize a fatal or permanent outcome.

Damage to Internal Organs

Any injuries affecting your internal organs could be fatal or leave you with permanent damage. These injuries often lead to internal bleeding or the permanent loss of an organ. The primary symptom of internal organ damage is often just pain. Unfortunately, the adrenaline released during a stressful event like a car crash blocks the body’s perception of pain, making it harder to identify internal organ damage and other injuries.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is the result of a wide range of internal injuries, including many of those listed above. Trauma to the body’s blood vessels can make it impossible for them to clot or repair themselves, leading to an accumulation of blood within the body’s cavities. This is a very serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.

Some common symptoms of internal bleeding include persistent abdominal pain, deep blue or purple bruising around the abdomen, chills, lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, and thirst. It’s important to report any of these symptoms to a doctor when getting checked out after an injury, as detecting an internal bleed early can literally save your life.

Call Haygood, Cleveland, Pierce, Thompson & Short for Help with Your Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to fight for compensation alone. The team at Haygood, Cleveland, Pierce, Thompson & Short can help you as you navigate this challenging time. Get started now by calling us at 334-821-3892 or reaching out online.