Internal Bleeding: a Deadly Injury That Often Remains Hidden
When you are involved in an accident, it is normal to look down, pat yourself, and feel relieved when there are no bones sticking out and no visible blood. But the scary part about car accidents is that injuries do not have to be visible to be dangerous—and in fact, some of the worst and most dangerous injuries are not immediately visible. Take internal bleeding as an example. It is completely hidden from view, but if it is not identified immediately and treated, it can be fatal. Even with proper treatment, it can still be fatal or cause permanent disability.
If you have been involved in a car accident and you are wondering if you are entitled to compensation, we are here to help. Call Rocky McElhaney Law Firm to set up a time to talk about your claim with our car accident lawyers.
What is internal bleeding?
Internal bleeding occurs when blood vessels rupture inside the body. In response to the sudden blood flow, the heart pumps blood even harder to that area—only for it to flood out into the body’s cavities. It occurs as a result of blunt force trauma, like you experience in car accidents, pedestrian accidents, falls from heights, workplace accidents, sports injuries, and violent assaults. Minor internal bleeding can resolve itself; the body eventually clots the blood and heals the vessels. However, there is no guarantee that this will happen, and any signs pointing to internal bleeding warrant immediate medical attention.
The dangers of internal bleeding
One of the main reasons internal bleeding is so dangerous is that it is largely invisible. After a crash, you will likely feel tired, anxious, shaken up, and sore—and those feelings may cause you to write off any unexpected symptoms that follow. After all, it is normal to be sore and in pain after a car crash, so why would you give any extra thought to new tenderness or pain in your abdomen?
Because people may ignore the signs of internal bleeding, they may not seek medical attention until their condition has significantly deteriorated, making it even less likely that they will recover. Internal bleeding can cause organ failure, since the blood pumping to the site of the rupture deprives nearby organs of the blood they need. Even if doctors are able to repair the site of the rupture, they may not be able to reverse the damage done to nearby organs.
Internal bleeding can also cause blood loss that results in hypovolemic shock. This is a life-threatening condition that leaves your body unable to circulate oxygen.
Even if someone recognizes that something is wrong and seeks medical care as soon as possible, there is no guarantee they will get the care they need. The symptoms of internal bleeding can mimic other conditions, leading to delays when a patient can least afford them.
Warning signs and symptoms
Because internal bleeding can be so difficult to identify, it is essential that you know the signs and symptoms. It is better to overreact and end up not needing medical care than to ignore your intuition and wait too long. Symptoms include:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Confusion and memory issues
- Shortness of breath
- Cold, clammy skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Severe stomach pain and a swelling or distended abdomen
- Coughing up blood and chest pain
- Severe headaches and personality changes
- Reduced mobility or joint pain
Internal bleeding can be unpredictable; symptoms may develop slowly over the hours or days after an accident, or all at once. This is why we always say it is so important to seek medical care right away after any sort of accident. The earlier you catch hidden injuries like internal bleeding, the better chance you have at making a full recovery.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of internal bleeding generally relies on diagnostic scans, such as CT scans and ultrasounds. Once it is identified, your doctor can begin treatment. Mild cases of internal bleeding may heal on their own with rest, but in these cases, you are typically under a doctor’s supervision due to the potential for your condition to worsen.
Moderate and severe cases of internal bleeding tend to require immediate medical intervention. You may have to undergo blood transfusions, surgery for damaged blood vessels or blood clots, and treatment for any damaged organs or other complications.
The longer you wait, the tougher recovery is. A severe case of internal bleeding could leave a patient hospitalized for weeks, and a full recovery could take months.
How your personal injury claim may be affected
One of the challenges you may face with internal bleeding in a personal injury claim is proving its severity. This is especially true if you did not seek immediate medical attention, as the insurance company may try to claim that your failure to go to the doctor indicates a less serious injury. If there is a long gap between your accident and your medical care, they may even try to claim that your injuries are the result of something other than the accident.
Furthermore, internal bleeding is extremely expensive to treat. Insurance companies know this, and they may push back hard on your claim to try to protect themselves financially. Do not let them; you deserve fair compensation for all of your losses. An attorney can help you.
You may also have permanent deficiencies or losses as a result of internal bleeding. Permanent organ damage, cognitive difficulties, or chronic pain can change your life forever, and a fair settlement should account for these losses.
Discuss your personal injury claim with Rocky McElhaney Law Firm
When you are ready to move forward with your personal injury claim, the team at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is here to support you and advocate for you. Fill out our online contact form or call us today.