Common Internal Injuries in Florida Car Accidents
Florida car accidents can cause serious internal injuries that you might not notice right away. These hidden injuries can turn life-threatening fast if you don’t catch them early. If you know what to look out for, you’re more likely to recognize warning signs and get the care you need before it’s too late.
Below, we look at some of the common internal injuries in Florida car accidents.
Internal Bleeding
When a collision is forceful enough, it can damage blood vessels and organs, causing blood to pool in your body. Unlike external bleeding, you won’t always see obvious signs of internal bleeding.
Common symptoms to watch out for include dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, deep bruises, confusion, or even fainting. Because significant blood loss can occur before symptoms become severe, immediate medical evaluation is essential after a serious crash.
Organ Damage
Internal organs, especially those in the abdomen and chest, can suffer serious harm in a car accident. The liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and intestines are all at risk during an auto accident. A damaged spleen or liver, for example, can cause internal bleeding. Lung injuries can make breathing tough. And kidney injuries can affect your body’s filters. Often, these injuries need emergency care and in some cases, surgery.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Many people think you need a visible head injury to have a brain injury, but that’s not true. Even without cuts or bruises, if your head suddenly jerks back and forth or hits something, your brain can slam against your skull and cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Warning signs of a TBI may include headaches, nausea, memory problems, dizziness, mood changes, or loss of consciousness.
Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)
A car accident can sometimes cause a fractured rib to puncture a lung, allowing air to leak into the space between the lung and chest wall. As pressure builds, the affected lung may partially or completely collapse, making breathing difficult and reducing oxygen flow throughout the body.
Symptoms often include sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. Depending on the severity of the injury, emergency medical treatment or surgery may be necessary to re-expand the lung and restore normal breathing.
Vascular and Spinal Injuries
Vascular injuries occur when the force of a crash damages blood vessels, disrupting normal blood flow or causing internal bleeding that may not be immediately visible. These injuries can become life-threatening if not treated quickly, as reduced circulation may affect vital organs and overall stability.
Spinal injuries involve damage to the spinal cord or surrounding structures. You may experience pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or difficulty moving certain parts of the body. In severe cases, spinal trauma can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring urgent medical care and long-term treatment.
Importance of Prompt Medical Attention
Internal injuries don’t always show up right away. Sometimes you’ll feel fine at first, even though something serious is happening inside. Don’t risk it. See a doctor soon after any car accident, even a seemingly minor one. Getting examined quickly could save your life, and your medical records are important if you later need to seek compensation from a negligent party.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you’ve suffered an internal injury in a Florida car accident, contact a West Palm Beach car accident attorney at The Pendas Law Firm. We can help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and Melbourne areas.