Car accidents are an American epidemic. Each and every day, an estimated 7,000 people sustain injuries in accidents. While many of these injuries are minor, some can have devastating and even life-changing consequences. Internal body injuries are a leading cause of car crash-related hospitalizations and can range in severity from broken bones to organ damage.
Common Car Crash Internal Injuries
When a motorist or passenger collides with a dashboard, steering wheel, or another object, the force of impact could cause an internal injury. Even minor car crashes can generate massive amounts of force, making internal injuries relatively common in collisions.
However, internal injuries vary greatly in their characteristics. Some of the most common examples include:
- Broken or fractured ribs. Any broken bone can be painful. However, broken or fractured ribs also have the potential to puncture organs if they are not promptly treated.
- Internal bleeding. A sudden, forceful impact could sever or severely damage blood vessels and distribution networks. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
- Organ damage. While most major organs could be damaged in a serious car accident, the liver, spleen, and kidneys are at the highest risk. Organ damage can be serious and often demands rapid hospitalization.
- Intracranial hemorrhages. When blood begins to accumulate inside the skull, it can put pressure on the brain. An intracranial hemorrhage could quickly cause irreparable brain damage or death.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the aorta—a major blood vessel running from the heart to the abdomen—becomes enlarged. An abdominal aneurysm could be fatal if it ruptures.
What to Do After a Missouri Automobile Accident
Some injuries are so serious that car accident victims cannot take any action after an accident. However, if you do not require emergency medical treatment, you could take the following steps to protect your legal recovery:
- Assess your health. Check yourself for injury, and render aid to any other person who may need it.
- Call the police. People often try to resolve minor collisions without involving law enforcement. However, even if a police officer cannot determine fault at the scene of the accident, their report could still be referenced in insurance negotiations or a trial.
- Collect evidence. You could take photographs of the damage to both automobiles as well as your injuries, torn clothes, and interior damage. You could also note any nearby traffic control signs, road signs, and mileage markers.
- Speak to eyewitnesses. If anyone saw the accident, ask them for their full name, phone number, and other contact information—their testimony could prove critical in court.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you do not believe you were seriously injured in the accident, you should always seek medical attention after a car crash. A physician could help identify internal injuries and recommend treatment. Visiting the doctor also shows the insurance company that you have legitimate medical concerns and are not fabricating an injury for financial gain.
- Contact an attorney. The Law Office of Layton & Southard has years of experience representing Missourians injured in serious car crashes and collisions. We could help you investigate the causes of your automobile accident, gather the evidence needed to show the other driver’s fault, and create a compelling argument for damages.
Your Damages After a Missouri Car Crash
Unlike some other states, Missouri does not cap the damages you could receive after a serious car accident. The Law Office of Layton & Southard could help you secure compensation for losses such as:
- Your past, present, and future medical expenses
- Physical rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Lost income from work
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
|
Related Links: |
