Disclaimer: This article contains general information, but it is not medical advice. If you have been injured, we suggest you seek medical attention if you haven’t already.
As everyone knows, car accidents can lead to property damage, serious bodily injuries, or even death in some cases. However, victims can sometimes walk away from car accidents with more than just visible injuries.
Internal injuries are the ones you cannot see. Bleeding in the abdomen, a bruised lung or a brain injury can stay silent for hours and be life-threatening by the time symptoms show, which is why a crash that leaves no visible wound still warrants a same-day examination.
Below are the internal injuries that most often follow a crash, the warning signs of each, and why the timing of your first medical visit affects both your recovery and your Florida personal injury protection benefits.
Common Types of Internal Injuries After Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a variety of internal injuries due to the sudden impact and force exerted on the body during a collision. Because these injuries can become serious very quickly, here are the most common types of injuries and a few warning signs of each.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a serious condition that can occur during a car accident when blood vessels are damaged or ruptured. This type of injury can happen in various areas of the body, including the brain, abdomen, and chest cavity.
In the brain, internal bleeding can lead to a condition called intracranial hemorrhage, which can cause increased pressure on the brain and potentially life-threatening complications. Abdominal bleeding may involve organs such as the liver or spleen, while chest cavity bleeding can affect the heart and lungs.
The danger of internal bleeding lies in its often-hidden nature. Without immediate medical attention, it can lead to shock, organ failure, and even death. This is why it's considered a medical emergency and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Organ Damage
During a car accident, the force of impact can cause significant damage to internal organs. The liver and spleen, located in the upper right and left abdomen, respectively, are particularly vulnerable due to their size and location.
The kidneys, positioned in the lower back, can also be injured in a collision. Damage to these organs can result in impaired function, internal bleeding, and potentially life-threatening complications if not addressed promptly.
Lung injuries are another concern in car accidents. The impact can cause a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or pulmonary contusion (bruised lung), both of which can severely affect breathing and oxygen levels in the body.
If left untreated, organ damage can lead to long-term health issues, including chronic pain, reduced organ function, and, in severe cases, the need for organ transplantation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries can occur in car accidents even without a direct strike to the head. The sudden acceleration and deceleration forces experienced during a collision can cause the brain to move within the skull, leading to various types of injuries.
Concussions are a common form of TBI, often resulting from the brain being shaken inside the skull. While generally considered mild, concussions can still have significant short-term and sometimes long-term effects on cognitive function.
More severe forms of TBI include contusions (bruising of the brain tissue) and diffuse axonal injuries (widespread damage to the brain's nerve fibers). These injuries can have profound effects on a person's cognitive abilities, motor skills, and overall quality of life.
It's important to monitor for symptoms of TBI in the days and weeks following a car accident, as some signs may not be immediately apparent. Persistent headaches, confusion, memory problems, or changes in mood and behavior could all indicate a traumatic brain injury.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Internal Injuries
Internal injuries pose a unique challenge because they may not always present immediate or obvious symptoms. This delay in symptom onset can make them particularly dangerous, as victims may not realize the severity of their condition until it becomes critical.
The body's stress response after an accident can mask pain and other symptoms, leading to a delayed onset of noticeable signs. Additionally, some internal injuries may worsen gradually over time, only becoming apparent hours or days after the incident.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of internal injuries can appear immediately after the accident or develop over time. Here are some warning signs to watch for:
- Abdominal pain or swelling can indicate internal bleeding or organ damage, and it often comes with tenderness to the touch or visible bruising.
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing may point to injury to the lungs, ribs, or heart, including pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, or cardiac trauma.
- Dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness: Potential indicators of a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding. Even if these symptoms seem to resolve quickly, they warrant immediate medical evaluation.
- Headaches that persist or get worse can signal a traumatic brain injury or bleeding inside the skull, and may come with trouble concentrating or changes in sleep.
- Unexplained bruising, especially on the abdomen or flanks, may mean internal bleeding has seeped to the surface. This type of bruising often appears days after the initial injury.
- Blurred or double vision can be a symptom of a traumatic brain injury or rising pressure inside the skull, and it may not show up until hours or days after the crash.
The Importance of Prompt Medical Evaluation
Get examined after a car accident even if nothing hurts yet. Internal bleeding and brain injuries often announce themselves hours or days later, and by then the treatable window has narrowed. In Florida there is a second reason to go early: personal injury protection benefits require initial services and care within 14 days of the crash.
A thorough medical evaluation can identify hidden injuries that may not be apparent to the accident victim. This early detection allows for prompt treatment, potentially preventing long-term health issues and improving overall outcomes.
Additionally, a timely medical examination creates a documented record of injuries sustained in the accident. This documentation can be invaluable for any future legal claims or insurance disputes related to the incident.
Diagnostic Tests for Internal Injuries
Medical professionals use a variety of diagnostic tests to detect internal injuries that are not visible from the outside. These tests give a comprehensive evaluation and can reveal the full extent of injuries sustained in a car accident.
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. CT scans are particularly useful for identifying internal bleeding, organ damage, and certain types of brain injuries. For instance, they can detect intracranial hemorrhages or liver lacerations that may not be apparent through external examination.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of internal structures. MRIs are especially valuable for diagnosing soft tissue injuries and certain types of brain injuries that may not be visible on a CT scan. They can reveal subtle brain injuries like diffuse axonal injuries or small contusions.
Ultrasound examinations use high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of internal organs. This non-invasive test can be particularly helpful in detecting internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity, such as injuries to the liver or spleen.
Blood tests can provide important information about internal injuries by measuring levels of certain substances in the blood. For example, elevated levels of liver enzymes can indicate liver damage, while increased levels of cardiac enzymes might suggest heart muscle injury.
Legal Implications of Internal Injuries in Car Accident Cases
Internal injuries can significantly complicate car accident claims due to their often hidden nature and potential for long-term health consequences. These types of injuries may require extensive medical treatment and can have a substantial impact on a victim's quality of life and ability to work.
The value of a personal injury claim involving internal injuries can be significantly higher than cases with only visible injuries. This is due to several factors:
- Internal injuries often require extensive diagnostic testing, surgery, and long-term treatment, which drives medical costs up.
- Recovery takes longer, which means more lost wages and a bigger disruption to the victim's life.
- Some internal injuries leave a chronic condition or permanent impairment.
- The physical and emotional toll of a severe internal injury can be substantial, and pain and suffering damages account for it.
These claims turn on documentation. An attorney's job in an internal injury case is to get the imaging, the specialist opinions and the future treatment plan into the file before any settlement figure is discussed, because that record is what the non-economic damages are argued from.
Documenting Internal Injuries for Legal Claims
A strong legal case for internal injuries sustained in a car accident is built on thorough medical documentation. This documentation serves as evidence of the injuries and their connection to the accident.
Medical records, including emergency room reports, diagnostic test results and treatment plans, give a dated account of the injuries and how they progressed. That timeline is what an insurer disputes when symptoms surfaced days after the crash, so the earlier the first record exists, the harder the injury is to argue away.
Expert testimony from medical professionals can also help prove the extent and impact of internal injuries. These experts can explain complex medical concepts to a jury and provide professional opinions on the long-term prognosis and necessary future treatment.
Challenges in Proving Internal Injuries
Victims may face several challenges when seeking compensation for internal injuries. Insurance companies may attempt to downplay the severity of these injuries or argue that they are related to pre-existing conditions rather than the accident.
The delayed onset of symptoms associated with some internal injuries can also complicate claims. Insurance adjusters may question why medical treatment wasn't sought immediately if the injuries were serious.
Experienced legal representation can help overcome these challenges by:
- Gathering comprehensive medical evidence, including expert opinions, to establish the link between the accident and the injuries.
- Demonstrating the full impact of the injuries on the victim's life, including future medical needs and loss of earning capacity.
- Negotiating effectively with insurance companies, countering their attempts to minimize the claim.
- Presenting the medical evidence in court if the case does not settle.
The Role of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
Florida is a no-fault state, and Florida Statute 627.736 requires personal injury protection coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash.
PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable and medically necessary expenses, and two conditions in Florida Statute 627.736(1)(a) decide how much of the $10,000 limit you can actually reach. First, you must receive initial services and care within 14 days of the crash. That 14 days runs from the crash, not from the day symptoms appear, which is the trap in an internal injury case. Second, the full $10,000 is available only if a physician, dentist, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse determines that you had an emergency medical condition. Without that determination, section 627.736(1)(a)4. limits medical benefits to $2,500.
Severe internal injuries run past those limits quickly, and the balance is pursued against the at-fault driver. For pain and suffering, Florida Statute 627.737(2) allows recovery only where the injury consists in whole or in part of significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. The negligence suit itself must be filed within two years under Florida Statute 95.11(5)(a) for a cause of action accruing after March 24, 2023.
Speak with a Car Accident Attorney About Your Case
Internal injuries after a car accident can be serious and slow to show. Getting examined promptly protects your health and, under the 14-day rule in Florida Statute 627.736(1)(a), your PIP benefits.
Remember, even if you feel fine immediately after an accident, some internal injuries may not manifest symptoms for hours or days.
Weinstein Legal Team handles Florida car accident claims involving internal injuries. That work means collecting the complete medical record, retaining the treating and consulting physicians who can explain the findings, and pricing future care before a settlement figure is discussed.
Contact Weinstein Legal Team today at 888-626-1108 or click here to schedule a free case review with an attorney. Let our experienced team guide you through the legal process, protect your best interests, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
