There are a variety of injuries that one can suffer as a result of a northern Virginia car accident. They range from minor bumps and bruises that heal on their own, to serious spinal cord and head injuries that require medical attention and prolonged rehabilitation.
The car accident lawyer at Parrish Law Firm, PLLC is here to give you some information on internal bleeding, an injury that can result form blunt force trauma often associated with car accidents.
What is internal bleeding?
Just as the name suggests, internal bleeding occurs when blood vessels inside the body burst due to a physical injury, according to WebMD. In addition to the danger of losing blood, internal bleeding can also put pressure on other vital organs and tissues, which can have serious consequences.
What causes internal bleeding?
There are two main types of trauma that can cause internal bleeding. They are:
- Penetrating Trauma – Occurs when an object outside the body rips through and tears open one or more blood vessels. Some examples are gunshots, falling on a sharp object, stabbings, etc.
- Blunt Trauma – A common injury in car accidents, blunt trauma occurs when a part of one’s body smashes into something else, often at a high speed. Blood vessel on the inside of the body are crushed or torn by the force of the impact. Examples include car accidents, falls, physical assaults, etc.
While any part of the body can experience internal bleeding, the more dangerous areas include head trauma, bleeding around the heart and lungs, and tears in large blood vessels close to the center of the body.
What are the symptoms of internal bleeding?
More often than not the injury will be blatant and a trip to the emergency room will be immanent. However, with less severe trauma, symptoms may show themselves days later and get progressively worse with time. Some of those symptoms may include:
- Abdominal swelling or pain due to bleeding from spleen or liver trauma.
- Dizziness, fainting, or light-headedness can occur once an ample amount of blood is lost from the place of trauma.
- An area of deep purple skin (ecchymosis) can occur when blood flows into soft tissues or skin.
- Headache or loss of consciousness can result when there is internal bleeding in the brain.
What are the treatments for internal bleeding?
Treatments for internal bleeding, often taking place in a hospital’s emergency department, can include blood transfusions and intravenous fluids to combat an unsafe drop in blood pressure, and image testing (CT scan and/or ultrasound) to pinpoint the source of the bleeding. Depending on the severity, doctors will either perform surgery or simply observe the patient, as internal bleeding as a result of trauma can often stop on its own.
Contact Parrish Law Firm, PLLC
The veteran car accident attorney at Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, Jim Parrish, works with northern Virginia residents who have suffered because of another’s negligent driving, working to gain fair compensation in court. Call us today at 703-906-4229 or fill out a free case consultation form now.
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