While broken bones or lacerations can be an understandable cause for concern after a car accident, some insidious injuries can’t be seen—internal body injuries. These can range from painful cracked ribs to life-threatening organ damage, but they could be grounds for a personal injury claim if they were caused by someone else’s negligence.
A Rome internal body injury lawyer knows what documents to file, deadlines to meet, and settlements to accept. Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers today to get started. The consultation is free at (404) 888-8888.
Why You May Be Hurting After an Accident
Exactly how your accident occurred and where you or your vehicle was struck will dictate the internal injuries you suffered. Some common internal injuries from motor vehicle collisions are:
- Broken ribs
- Pneumothorax
- Internal bleeding
- Punctured or damaged organs
- Abdominal aorta aneurysm
Some of these conditions are painful and inconvenient, while others require surgery and rehabilitation. In severe cases, you may have lifelong complications.
Broken Ribs and Pneumothorax
Taking the force of an impact to the chest or side could cause broken ribs. Sometimes, these breaks are cracks in the bones, making breathing and movement painful. When the ribs break, leaving edges, the bone can pierce organs, particularly the lungs.
When a lung is punctured, it can collapse, a condition called pneumothorax. Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. To solve the problem, doctors may need to use a needle or chest tube to remove air from the chest cavity and allow the lung to re-inflate. If that or other nonsurgical attempts don’t succeed, surgery may be necessary.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Your collision could have damaged internal organs. Likewise, ruptured blood vessels can cause bleeding you may be unaware of. Some organs are particularly prone to damage from an impact, including:
- Spleen
- Appendix
- Kidneys
- Liver
A ruptured spleen or appendix can quickly turn severe. A car collision carries a lot of force, making ruptured organs and their complications a possibility.
Even without a rupture or perforation, damage to organs can weaken or impede their function, as well as cause tremendous pain. If you suffered from organ damage following an accident, the corresponding medical bills are probably high. Contact Bader Law Injury Lawyers to learn how a Rome internal body injury lawyer may be able to help you offset those bills with a personal injury lawsuit at (404) 888-8888.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Your aorta is a major artery—the largest in the human body. If you were struck in the chest during your car accident, your aorta could have been damaged, leading to an aneurysm, a bulge in the artery. The aneurysm can grow and then tear or rupture, causing extensive bleeding.
Because an abdominal aortic aneurysm can grow over time, you may not even notice your injury until sometime after the accident. This is why it’s crucial to seek medical attention after an accident, even if you initially don’t feel injured. Adrenaline, shock, and delay in symptoms can all prevent you from feeling your condition. Early intervention could save your life.
For a free legal consultation with a internal body injury lawyer serving Rome, call (404) 888-8888
Drivers Who Cause Internal Body Injuries
Tracing the true cause of your injuries can be a process, especially in the chaos of an unexpected accident. You may even have been a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle you didn’t see coming. Being blindsided could actually point to the most obvious culprit: negligence. If you were obeying the rules of the road, perhaps the other party was not.
For a driver to be deemed negligent, their actions have to meet certain criteria:
- They had a duty to uphold: In this case, the duty was to drive safely, avoid accidents, and obey the rules
- They did not uphold that duty: They made a choice a reasonable person would not have made.
- Not upholding that duty led to injury: Their choice resulted in the accident that left you with internal body injuries.
- They are liable for those injuries: They can be pursued for medical bills and accident-related costs.
A driver who fails to uphold their duty of care on the road typically, but not always, performs an illegal action. However, any reckless behavior that endangered others and caused an injury can be grounds for a personal injury claim, even if no law was broken.
Common Negligent Driving Actions
Internal body injuries can be caused by accidents in which another driver:
- Failed to yield
- Ran a light
- Drove over the speed limit
- Tailgated
- Improperly changed lanes
- Drove while impaired
For example, you may have been T-boned by a driver who ran a red light. Tailgating may seem harmless but can cause rear-end crashes, multi-car collisions, and sideswipes. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights that the faster a car is going, the worse a crash can be, with more severe injuries, including internal ones. These are acts of negligence.
Pursuing Negligent Drivers
Your personal injury attorney can evaluate how your crash was caused and compile evidence to demonstrate that the other driver’s actions meet the criteria for negligence. Evidence that may be used includes:
- Witness statements
- Photographic evidence
- CCTV surveillance
- Phone records
- Accident reconstruction
- Medical analysis
- Expert testimony
- Police reports
Your lawyer can also help you file within the statute of limitations, which for personal injury is generally two years.
Rome Internal Body Injury Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Your Injuries May Be Unseen, But Your Plight Is Not
Internal injuries can be harder to detect and have more devastating consequences. If you suffered them following an accident, Bader Law Injury Lawyers wants to hear your case in a free consultation. Call our office today to find out how a Rome internal body injury lawyer can pursue a negligent driver at (404) 888-8888.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
