A person can walk away from a car accident and believe they are okay, often not going to the hospital because they feel fine. Do not do that, especially since many of the symptoms of internal bleeding after a car accident will take some time to become evident. As your Okemos car accident lawyer at White Law PLLC, we strongly urge you to get medical care first to ensure you are okay.
Common Symptoms of Internal Bleeding
The only way to know if you have internal bleeding, brain bleeding, or any internal organ damage is to have a comprehensive exam at a local emergency room. It is critical that if you were struck in the head, abdomen, back, or hips, you seek out immediate care. That is especially true if you suffer from any of these symptoms in the days after the accident:
- Pain and tenderness in the abdomen: This often will feel like intense soreness and may be in one specific area or throughout the region. This is the most common sign of internal organ damage.
- Dizziness, trouble walking with balance, and weakness: The loss of blood will lead to these types of episodes because your blood pressure is too low to meet your body’s needs. Some people pass out, but not always.
- High heart rate: A high heart rate means your body is fighting something, and often when there is low blood pressure from a loss of blood, this will directly lead to a very fast heart rate even when you are at rest.
- Confusion and disorientation: You may have trouble with this yourself, or your family member may notice it. Any type of disorientation may mean that the brain is not getting the oxygen it needs from the blood supply.
- Unable to catch your breath: This can occur as a result of the lack of oxygen in your body, which causes the brain to increase the breathing rate in order to get more.
- Swelling in the abdomen or other area: Blood will pool in various areas depending on what is bleeding, and this can lead to distension in that region. If you have sudden swelling like this, get to the ER immediately.
- Blood in stool or urine: This can indicate there is damage to the kidneys or bowels, both of which require immediate medical attention.
- Pale or clammy skin: Also monitor for any blue tint in a person’s lips or skin, as all of these indicate a lack of enough oxygen to meet the brain’s needs.
Even if you just feel off and you cannot seem to get enough sleep to recover, that could be indicative of a slow bleed. You do not have to have open wounds or even serious bruises that are evident on your skin to indicate that there is some level of trauma occurring. It is better to be safe than not to do so.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How a Car Accident Can Cause Internal Bleeding
Any time that your body is struck hard, there is the risk of damaging the skin and breaking bones, but the tissues within your body, including blood vessels, muscles, and the organs themselves, are also prone to injury. The problem is, you cannot see this and there are not always many nerve cells inside the body to detect what is occurring.
You could be suffering from internal bleeding in multiple areas. The most likely area is where you were struck directly or where a foreign object, like the steering wheel, slammed into your body. Some examples of what can suffer damage include:
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Stomach
- Digestive tract, including the small and large intestine
- Spleen
- Lungs
- Heart
- Muscles in the abdomen and back
Most organs can suffer damage like this. Often, when the organ is deep within the body, the symptoms are harder to notice. That is why it is critical to get a full exam after any type of accident.
Do Not Overlook Head Injuries
Striking your head on the windshield or steering wheel could lead to internal bleeding in the brain. This is a common occurrence that can go untreated if you do not have any outside symptoms, such as bruising or the development of a contusion. In these situations, it is critical for your survival that you get immediate medical care if you notice any of the above symptoms occurring.
These Types of Accidents Can Lead to Internal Bleeding
Any type of car accident can create trauma for the body, and in even a small fender-bender, you should get checked out. The severity of an internal bleed and whether one occurs in the first place is dependent on many factors, including the rate you were struck, the area you were hit, and your overall health. Some factors that can contribute to this include:
- Blunt trauma to the body: In this type of accident, you have trauma or some type of impact against the body, but the skin is not broken. You may not have bleeding wounds, but you could have damage inside your body.
- Penetrating trauma: There are times when internal bleeding occurs when an object, like a pole, enters the body and damages tissues and organs within that area. These tend to be open wounds and carry a very high risk of infection.
- Deceleration trauma: You may hear this term if you were thrown forward during a car accident. This causes your body to slam into the seat belt that is holding you back. This can lead to internal organ damage to any organ in the way.
Even if you are unsure these incidents happened, go to the ER. Get checked out. Then, make sure you get any follow-up care that is recommended to you as well.
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Let Our Trusted Car Accident Attorneys Fight for You
At White Law PLLC, we are advocates for your full recovery, including physical, emotional, and mental support. Contact our car accident attorney now to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation and find out how we can help you. Call our office today to talk to a Detroit car accident lawyer.
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