An internal injury is any damage not visible from the outside of the body. These types of ailments mostly include damage, tears, or ruptures to the spleen, liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys, as well as internal bleeding. After being involved in a car accident, understanding how to identify the often elusive symptoms of internal injuries is critical to your health and well-being.
Being able to identify these injuries is essential not only to ensure you can be treated for potentially life-threatening issues but also to protect your legal rights to compensation. For more information and to obtain skilled representation, reach out to a Bergen County injury lawyer today.
How Can You Identify Internal Injuries After a Car Accident?
The following symptoms may appear as a result of internal organ damage or bleeding. If any of these signs occur, seek medical attention immediately.
- Pain: Physical pain can be a sign of internal injuries. Though you may brush it off as soreness from the crash, pay attention to the details of the pain, especially if it is in the abdominal or chest area. If the pain is severe, long-lasting, and localized to one specific area, there is a chance that there is an internal injury.
- Bruising: Bruising is common after car accidents, but depending on the area and if it is paired with significant swelling, it could be a sign of organ damage or internal bleeding.
- Dizziness: Feeling dizzy or confused after a car accident could be indicative of internal bleeding because the loss of blood can send you into shock or cause you to feel lightheaded.
- Nausea: Feeling nauseous or throwing up are symptoms of liver and spleen damage or internal bleeding.
- Pale skin: Pale and clammy skin could be an indicator that you are going into shock, which could result from internal damage. Pay attention to your complexion, any excessive sweating, clamminess, etc.
- Bleeding: If you find blood in your urine, stool, or vomit, you are likely bleeding internally. Take it as a sign and get medically evaluated.
- Difficulty breathing: If you experience shortness of breath after your accident, it could point to an internal injury like a punctured or collapsed lung, fractured rib, or other damage.
- Rapid heart rate: Rapid heart rate or low blood pressure could be signs of shock occurring from significant blood loss if you are bleeding internally.
If you experience any of the above after being involved in a car accident, it is crucial that you head to a hospital or medical professional as soon as possible. It is better to be safe than sorry. To learn more about your rights and legal options after an accident, contact a skilled personal injury attorney at Feitlin, Youngman, Karas & Gerson, LLC today.
