Signs of Internal Injury or Bleeding After a Car Accident
After a car accident, not all injuries are immediately visible. Internal injuries, especially internal bleeding, can go unnoticed for hours or even days, often masked by shock or adrenaline. Failing to seek prompt medical attention not only puts your health at risk but can also complicate any future personal injury claims. Insurance companies may argue that delays in treatment mean the injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident at all.
If you’ve been in a car accident in New York and later discovered signs of internal bleeding, it’s important to know that you still have legal options. At Denlea & Carton LLP, our experienced personal injury attorneys understand how these hidden injuries can impact your life and your case, contact us today so we can start building your case as soon as possible.
Why Internal Injuries Are So Dangerous
Car accidents often involve sudden, violent impacts that can cause significant trauma to the body, even if there are no visible wounds. The force of a collision can damage internal organs, rupture blood vessels, or cause internal bleeding, all without breaking the skin. These types of injuries are particularly dangerous because symptoms may not appear immediately, leading victims to believe they’re fine and delaying critical medical care. Left untreated, internal injuries can result in serious complications such as organ failure, shock, or even death. This makes early diagnosis and intervention essential not only for your health but also for preserving your right to pursue a personal injury claim.
Common Types of Internal Injuries After a Car Accident
Even in accidents that seem minor, the body can sustain significant internal trauma due to the force and direction of impact. When a vehicle suddenly stops or shifts, the body continues moving, often leading to collisions with seat belts, steering wheels, or airbags. These abrupt movements and impacts can cause internal damage that isn’t immediately obvious. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what types of internal injuries can occur, even if you feel fine at the scene.
Common internal injuries after a car accident may include:
- Internal bleeding (often in the abdomen or chest)
- Organ damage (such as liver, spleen, or kidney trauma)
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Rib fractures that puncture internal organs
- Traumatic brain injuries (including internal bleeding in the brain)
- Hemothorax (blood accumulation between the chest wall and lungs)
Warning signs of internal injuries can vary but often include symptoms such as dizziness, deep bruising, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or confusion. These signs may not appear until hours or days after the accident, so it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel okay initially.
What to Do If You Suspect an Internal Injury
Internal injuries can be life-threatening if left untreated, and delaying care not only puts your health at risk but can also seriously impact your ability to recover compensation. Insurance companies often look for gaps in treatment to downplay the severity of injuries or deny claims altogether. Getting a prompt medical evaluation creates a clear record that links your injuries to the accident, which is essential for building a strong personal injury case.
If you believe you may have suffered an internal injury, take the following steps:
- Seek emergency medical care or visit a doctor as soon as possible
- Document your symptoms and when they began
- Follow all recommended treatments and attend follow-up appointments
- Keep copies of medical records, bills, and test results
- Avoid making statements to insurers before speaking with an attorney
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer
Your ability to secure full and fair compensation depends not only on the severity of your injuries but also on how quickly you act. Delayed treatment can reduce the value of your claim or make it more difficult to prove liability. An experienced car accident attorney at Denlea & Carton LLP can help protect your rights, ensure all evidence is preserved, and advocate for the compensation you deserve, especially in cases involving delayed symptoms or complex internal injuries.
How an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Contacting a personal injury attorney as early as possible after a car accident, especially one involving potential internal injuries, can make a significant difference in your case. When you bring in legal representation right away, your attorney can begin gathering critical evidence, preserving medical records, and protecting you from insurance tactics designed to minimize your claim. Internal injuries often require complex medical evaluations, and an attorney will ensure that the full scope of your condition is documented and supported by the appropriate experts.
A skilled personal injury attorney can assist with:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
- Obtaining and reviewing all medical records and imaging
- Coordinating with medical professionals to prove the extent of internal injuries
- Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Negotiating a fair settlement or pursuing litigation if necessary
- Calculating the full impact of your injuries on your life and livelihood
Beyond handling the legal process, an experienced attorney can help maximize your compensation by ensuring all aspects of your damages are accurately evaluated. This includes not only your current medical expenses, but also lost income, diminished earning capacity, missed professional opportunities, and the cost of ongoing or future treatment. At Denlea & Carton LLP, we work with economic and medical experts to build a complete picture of how your injuries have affected your life, giving you the strongest chance at receiving the full compensation you truly deserve.
Don’t Wait: Protect Your Health and Your Rights
If you or someone you love has suffered internal injuries after a car accident, it’s important to act quickly to safeguard both your well-being and your legal rights. Internal injuries can have lasting effects, and the decisions you make in the days and weeks following a crash can directly impact your ability to secure the financial support you need.
At Denlea & Carton LLP, we bring the knowledge, experience, and determination necessary to handle complex injury claims, especially those involving internal trauma that isn’t always immediately apparent. While your priority is healing, our priority is making sure you’re treated fairly and have access to the compensation you’re entitled to. Contact Denlea & Carton LLP today to speak with a trusted attorney and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
