Understanding the Warning Signs, Risks and Costs of Internal Injuries

When you are involved in a serious accident, some types of injuries will be immediately apparent. These are the types of injuries that cause most people to seek medical attention—and, with a timely diagnosis, these injuries will often (though not always) be treatable.

But, many accident victims also suffer injuries that they can’t see. These internal injuries can be dangerous, and they can even present medical emergencies in some cases. If you’ve been involved in a serious accident, it is important to be aware of the warning signs and risks of internal injuries, and you will want to be aware of their potential costs as well.

Common Internal Injuries from Vehicle Collisions, Falls and Other Accidents

Vehicle collisions, falls and other types of accidents can cause several types of internal injuries. Due to the risk of internal injuries, it is important to seek treatment promptly after a serious accident even if you initially feel fine. In many cases, the warning signs of an internal injury won’t appear right away, and by the time they do appear, it may already be too late to prevent long-term complications.

This is true for all types of internal injuries, including common injuries such as:

• Broken bones (including broken ribs, collar bones and hips)
• Collapsed lungs
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

These injuries can have a wide range of consequences, and, as you can see, they can occur in all parts of the body. They can be catastrophic injuries in many cases, and even when treatment is possible, accident victims can face long, difficult and expensive roads to recovery.

Warning Signs of Internal Injuries

Given that internal injuries can range from broken bones to concussions and other forms of TBI, these injuries can have a wide range of warning signs. However, there are a few symptoms that are common to many types of internal injuries and which should be treated as signs that prompt medical treatment may be necessary. Some of the most common warning signs of internal injuries include:

• Pain – Pain that is not associated with an external injury may be symptomatic of an internal injury. Broken bones, collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, nerve damage, organ damage, SCI and TBI all cause pain, which can be severe in many cases. However, pain from internal injuries also doesn’t always manifest right away. So, if you begin to notice pain in the days or weeks following an accident, it is still very possible that your pain is accident-related.
• Bruising and Swelling – While bruising and swelling can result from blunt-force impacts and other forms of external trauma, they can also result from internal injuries. Here, too, if you begin to notice these symptoms in the days or weeks after your accident, this could mean that you have an internal injury that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, delayed bruising and swelling are signs of internal bleeding—which can be risky on its own but which may be the result of organ damage or other internal injuries as well.
• Limited Mobility or Loss of Bodily Function – Limited mobility and loss of bodily function are also symptomatic of many types of internal injuries. If you are having difficulty moving, going to the bathroom, seeing or hearing, maintaining your balance, or thinking clearly, these are all signs that you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Again, these are just three of the most common examples. Different types of internal injuries will have different effects as well, and if you have any concerns about an internal injury for any reason, it is important that you obtain a diagnosis promptly. Some other examples of warning signs of internal injuries include:

• A feeling of tightness in the abdomen
• Clammy or sweaty skin
• Difficulty catching your breath
• Losing consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale skin
• Weakness, faintness or fatigue

The Risks of Suffering an Internal Injury in an Accident

Just as different types of internal injuries have different symptoms, different types of internal injuries also present different risks. Generally speaking, however, all types of internal injuries present risks for long-term complications if not diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. In some cases, internal injuries can have permanent effects, and tragically, some types of internal injuries from serious accidents can be fatal.

Costs (and Recovery Options) for Internal Injuries from Serious Accidents

Regardless of their severity, all types of internal injuries can be incredibly expensive to treat. They can also lead to loss of income, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses. These costs can add to internal injuries’ long-term consequences, and they can make it much more difficult for accident victims to manage and enjoy their daily lives.

Fortunately, all of these are costs that accident victims can seek to recover under Ohio law. When you suffer an internal injury in an accident that is someone else’s fault, you have the right to seek just compensation for all of your accident-related losses. This includes not only the costs of treating your injury (both now and in the future) but also your lost earnings, pain and suffering, and any other losses you incur.

Recovering your losses involves filing a personal injury claim. In many cases, this means dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company, but occasionally it means going to court. However, in all cases, it is important to make sure you have the evidence you need to prove your claim, and this starts with hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim in Ohio? Contact Us for a Free Consultation

At Malek & Malek Law Firm, we help serious accident victims in Ohio fight for the financial compensation they deserve. If you have suffered an internal injury in any type of accident, we strongly encourage you to contact us to learn more. To arrange a free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible, call 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can reach you online today.