If you are in a car accident, you may not see outward signs of injury. However, do not make the mistake of thinking you do not have injuries at all. Trauma has the potential to cause internal bleeding, including trauma from car crashes. It is often the result of an obvious injury but can also be the result of a less serious or delayed injury. While some cases require surgery, victims may learn that delayed or slow internal bleeding can stop by itself.
Causes
The primary causes of it are blunt and penetrating trauma, both of which can happen in car crashes. Blunt trauma occurs when the body hits an object or an object hits the body at high speeds, tearing or crushing blood vessels. Penetrating trauma occurs when an object penetrates a body part, tearing into one or multiple blood vessels.
There are many ways internal bleeding can arise from a car crash. A driver hitting the steering wheel or a passenger hitting the dash in a car crash is one example. Seat belt pressure can cause bleeding around the abdomen. It can also happen in the area surrounding broken bones. Finally, debris from wreckage of a motor vehicle crash may penetrate an occupant also causing internal bleeding.
Signs
Serious complications can arise when internal bleeding occurs in certain areas of the body. These include the head, blood vessels at the center of the body, organs in the abdomen, heart and lungs. Victims suffering trauma and internal bleeding in any of these areas may experience pain, dizziness, fainting, blacking out, or feeling light-headed. Trauma to the head can also cause unconsciousness and headaches.
As you lose blood, your body can begin to feel weak, reacting to the lack of blood even if not externally visible. Abdominal trauma may cause swelling. Abdominal pain can also be a sign of bleeding coming from the liver or spleen. Some people experience a deep red or purple color over a large portion of the skin, called ecchymosis. This is a result of bleeding into soft tissues. When broken bones are involved, swelling and tightening of skin and muscles may also develop.
Some people opt out of being checked out by a medical professional following a car crash. It is important however that you keep an eye out for signs of internal bleeding following a car crash. If you choose to opt out and later experience symptoms of internal bleeding, seek medical treatment immediately. Victims of car crashes experiencing internal bleeding may need to file claims against at-fault parties to hold them responsible for negligence.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: WebMD, “Internal Bleeding Due to Trauma“
