Internal Injuries After a Motor Vehicle Accident

May 01, 2024

It is estimated that 42,795 people died in motor vehicle collisions in 2022. Of these victims, many likely sustained internal injuries, which can be difficult to detect.

When a person suffers an internal injury, blood vessels become damaged, resulting in bleeding. Since this bleeding is taking place under the skin’s surface, internal injuries are often referred to as the “silent killer” of trauma victims. Knowing what signs to look for can help save your life and the life of someone you love.

Types of Abdominal Injuries

Since the abdomen contains many vital organs, abdominal injuries frequently occur in this area. Common abdominal injuries may include damage to the following:

Kidneys

The kidneys are responsible for removing waste products from the blood and producing urine. Damage to the kidneys will cause flank pain and bloody urine. A person who suffers kidney damage may require dialysis to remove waste and toxins from the blood.

Spleen

With the task of filtering damaged red blood cells and creating white blood cells, the spleen plays an important role in immune function. If your spleen is damaged, you may experience pain in the upper left side of the abdomen. Spleen damage can be life-threatening, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Liver

The liver removes toxins from the body, regulates blood sugar levels, and controls clotting. It consists of two lobes, with the larger lobe that is positioned on the right being most often injured. Pain will result in the upper right side of the abdomen. A torn liver is known to create excessive bleeding, so medical intervention is required.

Pancreas

The pancreas plays a significant role in digestion. Located behind the stomach, the pancreas secretes enzymes to break down sugars, fats, and starches. If your pancreas suffers an injury, you will likely feel pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen.

Symptoms of pancreatic injury may include:

Diaphragm

A ruptured diaphragm is uncommon but results in increased intra-abdominal pressure and causes torn diaphragmatic tissue. A ruptured diaphragm may present when the victim has trouble breathing, decreased breath sounds, chest pain, coughing, and acid reflux. If left untreated, a ruptured diaphragm can result in sepsis and death.

Future Medical Costs for Crash Victims

There is no way of knowing the total cost of future medical expenses related to trauma. If you file a personal injury claim, your current medical expenses will be computed, as well as the projected costs for future medical bills.

Calculating future medical expenses will be largely based on a physician’s analysis of your medical condition. Even so, it is important to have a Ventura personal injury attorney to help you estimate future medical expenses. A personal injury attorney will take into account several factors to determine the amount of damages that should be sought.

A Ventura Personal Injury Attorney Devoted to You

It is never simple recovering from an accident. While the physical damage cannot be undone, compensation can help you get your life back on track. If you or a family member have suffered an injury in a traumatic event, our legal team is ready to assist you. To schedule your free consultation, contact Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, by filling out our online contact form or by phone today.