Common Internal Injuries

One of the worst outcomes of an accident is an internal injury. While some injuries are immediately visible and force you to seek treatment, many internal injuries are less noticeable.  While you may feel some pain and discomfort, it’s easy to write that off as the normal aftermath of an impact. In the meantime, your internal injury is wreaking havoc on your body and could be causing irreversible damage.

That’s why it’s so important to seek immediate medical care after an accident and then find out how you can pursue compensation. We’re here to help you through this process. To set up a consultation with our personal injury attorneys, just give us a call. You can reach our Bay Minette office at 251-651-0483 or our Chatom office at 251-847-2237.

Broken Ribs and Pneumothorax

Broken ribs are relatively common, and they aren’t always noticeable right away. Victims may only notice when the initial pain of the accident does not go away. While most broken ribs heal with rest and time, some are much more dangerous. If the broken rib punctures a lung, you can develop a pneumothorax. This can be a life-threatening injury.

Organ Damage

A pneumothorax is just one type of organ injury you may suffer after an impact. There are several other types of organ damage that can occur. An abdominal aorta aneurysm is generally a fatal injury that happens in severe accidents that compress the stomach. A ruptured spleen is another dangerous organ injury that might lead to internal bleeding and death if not immediately treated.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can have tragic outcomes for victims and their loved ones. While some are mild and resolve with rest and time, others follow victims for the rest of their lives. Severe brain injuries can leave victims in comas, take away their mobility, and affect the part of the brain that facilitates communication. A previously healthy and independent adult can be left needing round-the-clock care and supervision.

Brain Bleed

Some traumatic brain injuries cause brain bleeds. This puts significant pressure on the brain and can prevent oxygen from getting to different parts of the brain, causing permanent damage. Depending on the area of the brain affected, a victim might lose their ability to regulate their emotions, create or recall memories, communicate verbally, or move.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is an emergency that requires immediate identification and treatment. Without immediate treatment, it is fatal. This condition is marked by a number of symptoms, including:

• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Feeling cold, shivering, or trembling
• Pain in the abdomen that worsens with time
• Thirst
• Fatigue
• Looking pale
• Bluish tinge around the lips

The Importance of Medical Care After a Checkup

These internal injuries show how important it is to see a doctor after an impact. Many of their symptoms—abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and general soreness—can also be written off as the normal pain and discomfort you feel after a crash. By the time you realize that your symptoms aren’t actually normal, it may be too late.

Simply put, many internal injuries cannot be accurately identified without the help of a doctor. It’s common to avoid a trip to the ER or urgent care for fear of the cost, but it’s worth your peace of mind. After impact, getting medical care should be your top priority.

Depending on the apparent severity of your injuries, you may want to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. Urgent care centers in the Bay Minette region include Infirmary Health Urgent Care and North Baldwin Primary Plus, and options around Chatom include Greater Mobile Urgent Care and Choctaw Urgent Care Center.

If the impact was not your fault, you may not even be responsible for the medical bills you receive. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and get them to cover your expenses. In addition to your medical costs, a claim could pay for your lost wages, property damages, and other related expenses.

Start Your Claim with Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell

Our team can help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us as soon as possible after your crash to get one of our experienced personal injury attorneys to look over your case. Schedule an appointment at our Bay Minette office by calling 251-651-0483 or our Chatom office by calling 251-847-2237. You can also reach us online.