Birmingham Internal Injury Lawyer

Accidents often result in serious internal injuries that aren’t visible on the outside of the body. Along with organ damage, internal bleeding can also occur. Anytime an accident takes place, it is essential to see a doctor or medical professional as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have any visible cuts or injuries on your body, you could have internal damage. Our Birmingham internal injury lawyers are here to help you if this occurs.

Internal injuries like these don’t always show up right away. Putting off treatment can be catastrophic. Internal damage often isn’t discovered until an autopsy is performed. In many cases, there are no visible signs of injury on the outside of the body even when serious internal trauma has occurred. Deaths that occur unexpectedly without warning are often attributed to natural causes by doctors. In many cases, however, deaths like these may actually have been caused by internal damage resulting from blunt-force injuries.

If another party’s negligence caused you or someone close to you to sustain internal injuries, they could be liable for your medical expenses and any other losses resulting from the injuries. Talking to a lawyer right away is important. You should always seek legal counsel before signing any papers or talking about the accident with a representative of the insurance company.

At Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton LLP, our skilled personal injury lawyers can provide much-needed legal guidance after an accident that results in internal injuries. With our knowledgeable advice and assistance, you can be sure you are taking the right steps with your case. Reach out to us today at 855–965–1688 to discuss your options. Alternatively, you can also submit the form on our website.

Common Causes of Accident-Related Internal Injuries

Internal damage usually occurs as a result of two distinct kinds of trauma:

Blunt-force Trauma

This type of trauma takes place when a person’s body runs into a solid object or obstacle with a lot of force or when traveling at a fast speed. A severe impact like this can cause blood vessels to tear or become crushed. Blunt-force trauma is often associated with vehicular accidents, motorcycle wrecks, on-the-job injuries, accidents involving pedestrians, or collisions with commercial vehicles.

Penetrating Trauma

Trauma like this occurs when an outside object penetrates the skin, causing damage inside the body. This damage can involve the muscles, blood vessels, or internal organs. Examples of this type of trauma include wounds from knives or bullets. Falling onto a sharp object can also lead to this type of damage. Injuries like these commonly occur at work. In a car accident, any sharp objects in the vehicle can also penetrate the body, resulting in internal injuries.

Both blunt and penetrating trauma can cause internal damage. This damage can include:

• Internal bleeding: Bleeding like this occurs as a result of damaged, torn, or crushed blood vessels.
• Damage to the liver: The liver’s position in the body makes it particularly susceptible to damage when any type of trauma occurs to the abdominal area.
• Kidney damage: The kidneys are damaged in approximately 10% of all patients who experience significant trauma to their abdominal region. Damage like this is also referred to as renal trauma.
• Punctured lungs: The lungs can become punctured as a result of auto accidents, falls, or other types of trauma. In some cases, they can also be punctured by a broken rib.
• Damage to the spleen: Car accidents, on-the-job injuries, falls, and other types of accidents can cause the spleen to become injured.
• A ruptured diaphragm: Located at the base of the rib cage, the diaphragm is a muscle that can rupture as a result of blunt trauma. Injuries like these occur in about 5% of all cases involving blunt trauma to the body’s trunk. The diaphragm assists the body with breathing.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm: The heart delivers blood to the body through a series of blood vessels, the main one of which is known as the aorta. This blood vessel is about as thick as a garden hose. It runs from the heart down through the chest and abdomen. Trauma can result in an aneurysm, which is where a bulge forms in the aorta and fills up with blood. If the aneurysm ruptures, it can cause potentially-fatal internal bleeding.

What Compensation Can a Birmingham Internal Injury Lawyer Help Me Claim?

Internal injuries aren’t always readily apparent. If you do experience symptoms from these injuries, the symptoms may be relatively mild, even in situations where significant internal damage has occurred. If injuries like these aren’t treated right away, severe consequences can occur. Left untreated, internal injuries can be life-threatening.

Seeking medical assistance as soon as possible after an accident is essential. A trained healthcare professional can detect internal damage through a physical examination or testing. Any medical expenses resulting from an accident should be covered by the person who caused the accident to occur. In the case of car accidents, these expenses are usually paid for by the insurance company of the driver who was at fault.

Anyone who experiences internal injuries in an accident resulting from someone else’s negligence could be owed compensation for:

• Medical expenses: In situations where the internal damage results in permanent injuries, this includes the cost of long-term care or assistive devices.
• Lost income: Victims can be compensated for any income that they lose as a result of their inability to work. This includes the loss of any future income if their injuries are severe enough to limit their ability to hold down a job.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

If a person dies in a car accident as a result of internal injuries, their family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Claims like these can include damages such as medical expenses and burial costs as well as the loss of companionship.