While many car accident injuries are visible and readily apparent, internal bleeding can occur without being immediately recognized and is among the most serious injuries you might suffer. Internal bleeding can be caused by obvious injuries, but it can also occur because of less severe trauma that doesn’t leave visible, exterior injuries. If you’ve been in an accident and suffered trauma, it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding and to seek immediate medical attention if you experience them.
Internal Bleeding Resulting from Trauma
In a car accident, you might suffer from blunt force trauma caused by impacts with objects inside your vehicle or flying debris. Blunt trauma occurs when a part of your body collides with another object at a high rate of speed. The force of the impact can tear or crush blood vessels inside your body or rupture internal organs. Penetrating objects can also cause internal bleeding when debris enters your body and tears holes in your blood vessels or organs.
Some serious sources of internal bleeding include the following:
- Brain bleeds caused by head trauma
- Bleeding around the heart or lungs caused by trauma to the chest
- Tears of the aorta, superior vena cava, interior vena cava, or a major branch
- Liver, spleen, or other abdominal organ perforations caused by abdominal trauma
Internal Bleeding Symptoms to Watch For
In most cases, people who suffer internal bleeding following a car accident will have serious and obvious injuries and will be immediately transported to the hospital. However, people can also suffer internal bleeding following a less severe trauma with a delayed onset of symptoms that rapidly worsen.
The symptoms depend on the affected area of your body, as detailed below.
Internal Bleeding in the Head
Internal bleeding in your head might cause the following symptoms:
- Weakness on one side of your body
- Numbness on one side of your body
- Severe, sudden headache
- Tingling of the hands and feet
- Vision or hearing changes
- Trouble chewing or swallowing
- Trouble speaking or comprehending speech
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Changes in alertness
- Loss of consciousness
- Lethargy
- Seizures
Internal Bleeding in your Abdomen or Chest
Internal bleeding in your abdomen or chest can cause the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Dizziness that worsens when standing
- Chest pain
- Bruising along your sides or navel
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Blood in your stools or urine
- Bleeding from your anus, mouth, nose, or ears
Symptoms of Shock Caused by Internal Bleeding
Shock can be one of the symptoms of internal bleeding when a victim loses a substantial amount of blood following trauma to the thigh, abdomen, or chest.
Watch for the following symptoms of shock:
- Tachycardia
- Low blood pressure
- Lethargy/stupor
- Increased sweat
If you experience any symptoms of internal bleeding, you should go to the emergency department immediately.
How is Internal Bleeding Treated Following an Accident?
The treatment for internal bleeding typically happens in the emergency department after a car accident. Since internal bleeding can cause your blood pressure to drop precipitously and lead to shock, you might receive intravenous fluids or blood transfusions to stabilize it.
The emergency room doctor might order imaging tests, including a computerized tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound, to diagnose internal bleeding and the appropriate treatment. If your internal bleeding is slow, your doctor might choose to place you under observation initially to see whether it might stop by itself. However, if your internal bleeding is severe or doesn’t stop, you’ll likely have to undergo surgery to correct it.
Get Help From an Experienced Injury Lawyer
If you suffered internal bleeding in a car accident that was caused by someone else, you should talk to the experienced injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave. We have years of experience helping accident victims recover compensation for their injuries and other losses and offer free consultations. Learn more about your rights today by calling us at 417-322-2222 or sending us a message online.