Broken bones, bruises and cuts are common injuries following a car accident. Unfortunately, these are not the only injuries you can sustain during a car crash. When the body takes the brunt during the impact, you may suffer soft tissue injuries that may not be immediately visible.
Internal injuries can develop into devastating complications or even death if they are not diagnosed and treated immediately. Here are some of the internal injuries you need to look out for after a car wreck.
Broken ribs
A violent bang against the car’s body during the impact can result in a fracture to the rib. This can be potentially dangerous if the broken rib punctures internal organs like the lungs.
Pneumothorax
This happens when a fractured rib punctures through the accident victim’s lungs leading to its collapse. As a result of the collapse, air may enter the victim’s chest cavity.
General organ damage
Internal organs like kidneys, heart and the liver are at a greater risk of damage following a high-impact collision. Damage to these organs can result in internal bleeding and, consequently, organ failure. Some of the symptoms of internal bleeding that you need to look out for include weakness of the body, vomiting blood, low blood pressure, abdominal pain and passing out among others.
Abdominal aorta rupture
Also known as abdominal aorta aneurysm, this type of internal injury happens when the stomach is severely compressed during the impact. The result can be life-threatening if left unattended.
Spleen rupture
Sometimes, the accident victim may suffer from a ruptured spleen. This too can result in internal bleeding and may require surgery to correct.
Depending on the severity of the impact, a car accident can leave you with serious external and internal injuries. Find out how you can hold the negligent party liable following a car crash that is not your fault.