Internal Injuries from Maryland Car Accidents

Sometimes, when people are involved in a car accident and they do not see any cuts, punctures, or bleeding, they assume that they have no injuries at all from the accident. However, the reality is that many people do not realize that they can actually have internal injuries due to the force and impact of a car accident. After an accident, regardless of whether you see injuries on the outside of your body, you should always seek medical treatment to ensure that you have no internal injuries on the inside as well.

How are internal injuries diagnosed?

Internal injuries can usually only be diagnosed by doctors and physicians. Therefore, even if you assess your body for injuries and do not see anything after an accident, the truth is that you cannot visibly see whether or not internal injuries are present. As a result, you will need to visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary doctor’s office quickly after the car accident to get the proper medical assessment you need. Once you make it to a hospital or doctor’s office, you will need to undergo multiple tests to check for internal injuries. Some of these tests include:

• Blood work
• CT scans
• MRI tests
• X-rays

These tests give your medical provider the opportunity to look inside your body and determine if you have any internal injuries that need to be treated to prevent further complications.

What are some signs that you might have internal injuries?

If you have been in a serious car accident and suspect that you may have internal injuries, there are several different signs and symptoms that you can keep an eye out for, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe pain
• Feeling weak or lightheaded
• Severe bruising
• Chills or feeling very cold
• Noticing blood after using the restroom

While these warning signs are great to know, you typically should not wait for these signs to emerge. Instead, you should visit a licensed medical professional right away to make sure that you do not have any internal injuries or anything else that could be wrong after a car accident.

What are examples of internal injuries from car accidents in Maryland?

There are a variety of different internal injuries that result from car accidents. Here are seven of the most common that we see among our clients:

1. Broken or fractured ribs: When you have a fractured or broken rib, this means that one or multiple bones in your rib cage have cracked or completely broken. These injuries are very painful but typically heal by themselves with proper treatment within a couple months.
2. Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries often occur when a person hits their head with strong force on a hard object or surface. This commonly happens in a car accident when an individual bumps their head on the steering wheel or dashboard. As a result, they may have “bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain.” Traumatic brain injuries are very serious and must be identified and treated promptly to avoid lifelong complications or even death.
3. Skull fractures: If the fracture is minor, it typically can heal on its own. However, if the fracture is serious and requires extensive surgery or treatment, it may take several months to heal or result in permanent injuries.
4. Damage to the kidneys: Damage to the kidneys usually occurs when a car accident victim experiences severe force and impact to their lower back or side area. As a result, their kidneys may be severely bruised or completely irreparable. If this is the case, the individual will likely need to go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant.
5. Liver damage: Unfortunately, it is not unusual for the liver to experience bruising and tearing during a car accident. This is an emergency situation that must be treated immediately to save the individual’s life.
6. Ruptured spleen: If you experience impact to your abdominal or stomach area, there is a high chance that you may have a ruptured spleen. When the spleen ruptures, there is usually internal bleeding involved, which means that you will need immediate surgery to repair the spleen and stop the bleeding as quickly as possible.
7. Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding can occur almost anywhere in the human body. Car accident victims frequently suffer internal bleeding in their stomach, brain, or chest. This type of bleeding usually does not stop on its own, meaning that you must get medical assistance promptly to stop it. In fact, every second that a person who is bleeding internally does not receive the proper medical treatment they need, their chance of surviving decreases.

If you or a family member suffered internal injuries due to a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you are most likely eligible to receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. The Maryland car accident lawyers at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are here to guide you through the legal process, ensuring that the negligent driver who caused your accident and injuries is held accountable for their actions. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule your free case review at one of our many office locations today.