If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, the aftermath can be scary and confusing as you try to assess the extent of your injuries, determine who was at fault, and figure out how to cover your immediate medical expenses. One common and especially challenging factor is the possibility of injuries that are not immediately apparent or visible on the surface, which is one reason why it is so important to seek immediate medical attention after your accident. A doctor can not only address your external injuries, but they can also identify internal injuries that can cause serious harm if left untreated.
Internal Injuries to Look Out For
The blunt force impact of a car crash can cause a variety of internal injuries in the chest and abdominal areas. Some of the most common include:
- Broken ribs: Broken and fractured ribs are significant injuries on their own, but they can also damage the lungs and other surrounding tissues.
- Punctured lungs: A damaged lung can result in chest pain and difficulty breathing, and it can have lasting complications if it is not treated immediately.
- Bruised kidneys: Blunt force trauma to the kidneys can lead to low blood pressure, anemia, problems with urination, and kidney failure in the most serious cases.
- Liver damage: If your liver is damaged in a car accident, you may experience a laceration or a hematoma caused by internal bleeding, which often requires surgery to repair.
- Spleen trauma: Your spleen can be damaged or even rupture in a car accident, which can result in dangerous internal bleeding and a drop in blood pressure.
As you take stock of your injuries, you should look out for chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and visible discoloration, all of which can be signs of internal injuries. However, it is possible to miss these signs, or for no immediate signs to be present. The best way to identify and treat internal injuries as quickly as possible is with the assistance of a doctor who can perform X-rays and thorough examinations.
Treatment of internal injuries can require expensive surgeries and ongoing medication, and if another driver was at fault for the accident, you can pursue compensation for your expenses through a personal injury claim. Try to keep records of your injuries in the form of photographs and medical documents that can strengthen your case, and consider hiring an attorney who can help you obtain the full extent of the relief you need.
To ensure that all of the evidence related to your car accident is collected and preserved, you should contact our personal injury attorneys as soon as you can. Critical timing issues can affect the availability of evidence such as transcripts of 911 calls or traffic camera footage, and it is important to obtain witness statements while people’s memories of a crash are still fresh. Other important evidence can include photos of a crash scene that depict skid marks or other relevant details, pictures of a vehicle before it is repaired, or photos depicting your injuries and the process of recovery.
Contact an Appleton Personal Injury Attorney Today
An experienced personal injury lawyer can handle the legal aspects of your accident for you so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. At [[title]], we have the knowledge to represent clients in all kinds of car accidents, and we can help you recover compensation for any variety of injury. Contact a Green Bay, WI car accident lawyer today at 920-739-7366 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217390/