How Do I Know if I Have Internal Bleeding After a Car Accident?
By Space Coast Daily // November 6, 2020
Internal bleeding is a common car crash injury that can sometimes occur without you realizing there is a problem. Check these frequent symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you have internal bleeding because it is not going to go away without help.
What Causes Internal Bleeding?
The momentum and force involved in a car crash can be deadly serious. When a car comes to a sudden and halting stop due to a collision, the occupants are thrown forward and backward at a very fast pace. This extreme movement and the sudden impact can cause major, and even catastrophic, damage. This damage may be unseen, and at first glance, go unnoticed.
Internal bleeding is particularly dangerous precisely because it isn’t always so obvious. You might find yourself in a car crash with only a few small cuts and some bruises and feel fine at first, only to notice worsening pain over the next few hours or even days. Internal bleeding is an emergency and is always fatal if not treated.
The pain you feel could be symptomatic of a ruptured organ. Continued blood loss is going to lead to a worsening of your physical state until you lose consciousness.
At that point, the chances of getting emergency help drop dramatically, and the risk of death rises exponentially. With that in mind, it is essential that you know the warning signs.
Signs of Internal Bleeding (Ranked From Most to Least Severe) Include:
• Vomiting, especially if there is blood in the vomit
• Large dark purple bruising anywhere on your lower back or front – this is an indicator that blood is flowing somewhere that it shouldn’t be
• Blood in urine or feces
• Severe and increasingly painful swelling in your abdomen
• Really pale face – this suggests a loss of blood, even if none has been seen exiting the body
• Increasing drowsiness and an inability to stay awake
• Feeling unusually cold in a manner inconsistent with the external temperature
• Dizziness and/or fainting
• Severe headache
• Confusion, inability to process basic information, and unusual forgetfulness
The latter half of this list are symptoms that could also be indicative of far less problematic conditions with simple solutions. However, vomiting blood, seeing blood in your urine or stool, purple bruising, or pain that is getting worse are all symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
Should I Seek Medical Treatment After Any Car Accident?
It is always a good idea to get yourself checked out after experiencing a car crash. Even if you feel fine and don’t think that your injuries are serious enough, go to the doctor.
A huge reason many people don’t go to the doctor, and especially avoid seeking medical care, is the prohibitive cost associated with the treatment. This is true with both premiums and out-of-pocket expenses from lacking health insurance.
Don’t let these costs hold you back from making sure that you’re ok. Remember, internal bleeding is not something that clears up. It requires surgical intervention.
If you’ve been in a car accident, you will likely be able to claim damages either from the car insurance company of the driver who hit you or your own insurance company, depending on your state’s insurance laws. Regardless, a successful suit or settlement should be enough money to cover your medical costs.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive From a Claims Suit?
In addition to your medical bills being covered, your attorney can assist you in arguing for compensation that will cover other costs that resulted from your injury.
For example, lost wages during your treatment and recovery time can be factored into a settlement agreement or claims court case. Additionally, your attorney can calculate pain and suffering or emotional damages that you suffered as a result of the accident.
Whatever you do, you should talk to a lawyer to evaluate your case and to learn more about the steps you should take to protect yourself after an accident.
