Common Internal Injuries Sustained in Florida Car Accidents
Bill Allen | December 13, 2023 | Car Accidents
Of the 401,540 traffic accidents that occurred in Florida in 2021, over 163,000 of them resulted in at least one injury. The types of injuries sustained in these accidents included internal injuries, a term that encompasses any trauma to the internal organs, tissues, and bones of the body.
Unlike a cut or a gash, which are immediately visible and can be easily reached to treat, internal injuries are not always readily apparent. It can take hours or days after a crash before symptoms of some internal injuries begin appearing, and treatment may not always be possible without surgery or other invasive procedures.
Recognizing the early symptoms of the most common internal injuries sustained in a car accident is crucial to receiving prompt medical care. The earlier you address any internal injuries you suffered in a crash, the greater the chance you can minimize the harm these injuries can cause you.
3 Internal Injuries You Might Have After a Car Collision
The following three internal injuries are possible after a car crash. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of these injuries should seek immediate medical attention:
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. Hitting your head against a solid object or having your head jerk back and forth quickly and violently in a crash are two common ways that the brain can sustain harm. The severity of the harm and its location will dictate the nature of your symptoms and whether any limitations you experience are temporary or permanent.
Unconsciousness is a well-known symptom of a traumatic brain injury, but other symptoms include a persistent headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Long-term consequences can include behavioral and emotional changes, difficulty with memory, and difficulties speaking and taking care of yourself.
2. Organ Damage
A seat belt can save your life, but it can also inflict internal trauma on your stomach and other organs in a car crash. You might notice pain where the affected organ is but not see any obvious wound. Organ damage can also result in nonspecific symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fever.
This damage can become life-threatening if it is severe and prompt medical care is not obtained. A ruptured spleen, for example, can lead to death if it is not addressed immediately. For this reason, do not ignore symptoms after a wreck that have no obvious cause. Instead, seek imaging from a medical provider to check whether you have sustained organ damage.
3. Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is the body’s main neural pathway, running from the base of the brain and down most of your back. Without your spinal cord, you would have no ability to send commands to the organs and muscles of your body, and you would not be able to perceive or interact with your surroundings.
Unfortunately, the force of an accident — even at modest speeds — can strain and injure your spine, potentially leading to spinal cord damage. Common signs of spinal cord damage include tingling or numbness in your extremities or pain that radiates from your back to your arms or legs. Severe spinal cord damage can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
Internal Injuries Are Just As Serious As External Injuries
Just because you cannot see internal injuries does not mean they are not serious medical issues.
If you are involved in any car accident beyond a minor fender-bender, you should consider getting checked out by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out any internal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, organ trauma, and spinal cord injuries can all cause tremendous difficulty and pain if they are not addressed appropriately after a crash.
Contact Our Ocala Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida
Contact our Personal Injury attorneys at (352) 351-3258 today to schedule your free, no-risk consultation.
We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
