Internal Injuries in Traffic Accidents

After an accident, some of the most serious injuries may be the hardest to see. Internal injuries in traffic accidents can go unnoticed but can cause lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges. 

Recognizing the symptoms early and knowing your options for compensation can make all the difference.

Next, we’ll walk you through the types of internal injuries, common symptoms, long-term impacts, and how to protect your rights in a personal injury claim.

What Are Internal Injuries and Why Are They Serious?

Internal injuries happen when trauma impacts organs, blood vessels, or tissues inside the body. Unlike visible injuries, internal injuries can be hard to detect immediately. 

They often don’t produce clear symptoms, meaning someone might feel fine right after an accident but have serious hidden injuries.

Because of this, it’s always a good idea to seek immediate medical care after any accident, even if there are no signs of injury

Internal injuries are common in high-impact accidents like car crashes, motorcycle collisions, and truck accidents.

When the body undergoes extreme force, organs, and blood vessels can be damaged, leading to problems like internal bleeding or organ failure.

Since the symptoms might only appear hours or even days after the accident, people often overlook these injuries, thinking they’re just “sore” or “bruised.”

Ignoring these signs can be dangerous. Internal injuries can worsen quickly if untreated, leading to severe complications or even death.

Therefore, getting checked by a medical professional immediately after any accident is the safest way to detect these injuries early. 

Types of Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can be broadly divided into two categories: blunt trauma and penetrating trauma.

Both types can cause serious harm but occur in different ways.

• Blunt Trauma happens when an object strikes the body with significant force but doesn’t break the skin. Car accidents often cause blunt trauma; for example, a collision might slam the chest or abdomen into the steering wheel, damaging internal organs.
• Penetrating Trauma occurs when an object pierces the skin and damages internal tissues. This type of injury is common in motorcycle crashes, where debris or parts of the bike may puncture the body.

Each type of trauma can result in several common internal injuries, which can have severe and sometimes life-threatening effects.

Common Internal Injuries

Organ Damage

Organ damage occurs when a forceful impact harms critical organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys.

For example, a car crash that pushes the body against a hard surface can cause the liver to rupture.

When these organs suffer damage, they can bleed internally or even stop working correctly, leading to life-threatening complications.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding can occur in any part of the body after blunt or penetrating trauma. The most common signs include dizziness, fatigue, and pain at the injury site.

If left untreated, internal bleeding can lead to shock, organ failure, or even death.

For instance, a fall in a truck accident could lead to bleeding around the kidneys, which might not be obvious right away but can worsen quickly.

Broken Ribs and Chest Injuries

Broken ribs often lead to complications, especially if a fractured rib punctures the lungs.

This can result in a condition called pneumothorax, where air leaks into the chest cavity and makes it difficult to breathe.

Chest injuries commonly occur in high-speed accidents, where the force of impact pushes the chest against a hard object.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

TBIs happen when the brain suffers impact without the skull breaking. A sudden jolt to the head, like in a car accident, can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull.

This “closed head” injury can lead to memory problems, headaches, and sometimes long-term cognitive issues.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works”.

According to Brainline.org, TBIs are contributing factors in approximately 30 percent of injury-related deaths in the U.S., while about 2.8 million people visit emergency departments every year to be treated for head trauma due to a TBI.

Concussions

A concussion is a common type of TBI which affects the brain. It occurs when a sudden impact or jolt causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull, leading to bruising and disruption of normal brain function.

In some cases, symptoms may only appear hours or days after the injury, which is why it’s crucial to monitor for changes even if you feel fine at first.

Early medical evaluation is essential to diagnose and manage a concussion.

For anyone suffering from a concussion due to someone else’s negligence, seeking legal help can support recovery.

Legal representation can help you receive the resources needed for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation for any ongoing impacts on your quality of life.

Spinal Cord and Nerve Damage

The spinal cord and nearby nerves can suffer trauma in many types of accidents, especially those involving high-impact collisions.

A spinal injury can lead to partial or full paralysis, depending on where the trauma occurs.

Damage to nerves may result in numbness, weakness, or a loss of sensation.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention and consult a spinal cord injury lawyer.

Blood Vessel Damage

Blood vessels can also suffer injury during an accident, causing serious conditions like blood clots, aneurysms, or restricted blood flow.

For example, an impact to the thigh during a motorcycle crash might injure the large blood vessels in the leg, leading to swelling and increased risk of clotting.

Hip Injuries

These injuries can range from fractures and dislocations to muscle strains and ligament damage, often causing intense pain and difficulty moving.

Hip fractures, in particular, require immediate medical attention and may need surgery, followed by extensive rehabilitation.

The impact of a hip injury can be long-lasting, limiting mobility and affecting daily activities like walking or sitting.

Broken Bones

Fractures can occur in any bone, with common sites including the vertebrae, arms, legs, wrists, and collarbones.

The severity of a fracture can vary, ranging from hairline cracks to complete breaks, often leading to intense pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.

Prompt medical evaluation and treatment are crucial for proper healing, which may include immobilization with casts or braces, and in some cases, surgical intervention. 

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries frequently occur in accidents, especially during falls or high-impact collisions.

Common types of knee injuries include:

• Ligament tears
• Meniscus injuries, and
• Fractures.

Ligament injuries, such as tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL), often require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation.

Even minor knee injuries can result in chronic pain and instability, affecting daily activities and mobility.

Timely medical attention is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term complications.

If a knee injury results from someone else’s negligence, pursuing a personal injury claim can help you recover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for lost wages and pain and suffering, allowing you to focus on healing and regaining your mobility.

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are severe injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability, significantly affecting a person’s quality of life.

These injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, and multiple fractures.

Individuals with catastrophic injuries often face extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, which can lead to substantial financial burdens.

The impact of these injuries goes beyond physical challenges, often causing emotional and psychological distress for both the injured person and their family.

Victims may require modifications to their homes or vehicles to accommodate their new limitations.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, pursuing a personal injury claim can provide the necessary financial support to manage ongoing medical expenses and improve your quality of life.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues.

These injuries can occur from various incidents, such as accidents, sports injuries, or repetitive motions.

Common examples include sprains, strains, and bruises. One notable type of soft tissue injury is whiplash, which often results from sudden jerking of the head, typically in rear-end car collisions.

Symptoms of whiplash may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.

Symptoms of Internal Injuries

Internal injuries often hide beneath the surface, making it hard to detect them right after an accident. However, certain symptoms may indicate serious internal damage and should never be ignored.

General Symptoms of Internal Injuries

Some internal injuries show up through general symptoms that affect the whole body. These may include:

• Lightheadedness and Dizziness: These symptoms often result from blood loss, which can lower blood pressure and lead to fainting.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired can signal internal bleeding, as the body loses blood and struggles to maintain normal functions.
• Confusion or Disorientation: Reduced blood flow to the brain, due to bleeding or trauma, can lead to confusion and difficulty concentrating.

Even though these signs might seem mild, they can indicate serious underlying issues.

Location-Specific Symptoms of Internal Injuries

Certain symptoms point more directly to the area affected by the injury, making it easier to understand what might be happening internally.

• Abdominal Pain: Pain or tenderness in the abdomen can suggest damage to organs like the liver or spleen. This might feel like sharp, stabbing pain or a constant ache. Bruising in this area can also be a warning sign.
• Chest Pain and Difficulty Breathing: If ribs are broken, the sharp edges can irritate or puncture the lungs, causing pain with each breath. Difficulty breathing might indicate pneumothorax (collapsed lung), which requires immediate medical attention.
• Numbness or Paralysis: If there is numbness or a loss of movement in the limbs, it could indicate damage to the spinal cord. Depending on where the injury occurred, paralysis might affect the lower or entire body.

Why It’s Important to Recognize Symptoms Early

Because symptoms of internal injuries may be delayed or mistaken for less serious issues, people sometimes avoid seeking medical help.

However, ignoring symptoms can lead to serious complications, as untreated internal injuries often worsen over time.

For example, untreated internal bleeding can lead to shock, and spinal cord injuries can result in permanent nerve damage if not properly managed.

Recognizing these symptoms early and getting a medical evaluation can make a difference in both health and personal injury claims.

Prompt medical records provide essential evidence that connects the injury directly to the accident, helping strengthen a claim. 

Delaying care may create gaps in documentation, which can give insurance companies reason to argue that the injury wasn’t related to the accident or is less serious than claimed. 

Even if symptoms seem minor, it’s safest to consult a doctor to rule out any hidden injuries and establish a clear record of care that supports the claim.

Potential Long-Term Effects of Internal Injuries

Physical effects

Internal injuries often have lasting impacts that extend well beyond physical pain.

Many people experience chronic pain and physical limitations that interfere with daily activities, making tasks like walking, lifting, or even sitting for long periods difficult. 

Emotional effects

In addition to physical effects, internal injuries can lead to emotional and psychological challenges.

Trauma from a severe accident might trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. Flashbacks, sleep problems, and fear of similar situations can make recovery difficult and may require ongoing therapy or counseling.

Financial impact

The financial impact of these injuries is also significant.

Ongoing medical costs often include medications, physical therapy, and frequent follow-ups, which add up over time.

Some individuals may need to make lifestyle changes, such as modifying their home for accessibility or switching to a less physically demanding job.

These adjustments can strain both personal finances and relationships, creating lasting consequences that go beyond physical recovery.

Recognizing these long-term effects is essential for managing recovery and considering future needs in a personal injury claim.

Legal Rights and Compensation for Internal Injuries

If you’ve suffered internal injuries due to an accident, you have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.

Internal injuries often require costly treatments, ongoing care, and may lead to time off work, which adds to financial stress.

For internal injuries, damages often include medical expenses (like surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication), lost income, and pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering can be substantial, considering the physical limitations and emotional impact associated with internal injuries. In severe cases, compensation may also cover future care and long-term disability.

A personal injury attorney can be crucial in navigating this process. To help you recover full compensation, a personal injury law firm can:

• Gather medical records
• Calculate all damages, and 
• Negotiate with insurance companies.

With an attorney’s support, you can focus on healing while they advocate for your financial recovery and future needs.

Their experience ensures you receive a fair outcome that reflects the true impact of your injuries on your life.

Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers for Legal Advice on Your Internal Injury Claim

If you’ve suffered internal injuries in an accident, you deserve experienced and strong legal support.

At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take. We’re here to help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Don’t leave your future to chance—reach out to our experienced attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and provide a personalized plan to move forward.

Call now or fill out our online form to start securing the support you need.

THREE COMMON ACCIDENT INJURIES

And How to Treat Them