Can You Get Internal Bleeding from a Car Accident?
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of serious injuries in New York, with thousands of people requiring emergency medical treatment each year. The violent forces involved in car crashes can cause significant injuries that aren’t immediately visible, including serious internal bleeding. If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, you should seek immediate medical attention.
If your injuries are serious and were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation. You should schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. to take a look at your legal options.
What Could Cause Internal Bleeding from a Car Accident?
Can you get internal bleeding from a car accident? Yes. The extreme forces generated upon impact in a motor vehicle accident frequently cause internal bleeding and serious internal injuries. The human body experiences extreme stress when vehicles collide, even at relatively low speeds. Internal organs can sustain damage without any external bleeding or obvious symptoms. The forces that can cause bleeding internally include the following:
- Blunt force trauma: When your body strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or door panels, the impact can cause physical trauma and damage to vital organs.
- Rapid deceleration: Sudden stops in high-impact collisions can cause internal organs to shift violently within the body cavity, leading to deceleration injuries.
- Seat belt syndrome: While seat belts save lives, the restraining force across the abdomen can sometimes cause internal injuries.
- Penetrating injuries: Broken glass, metal fragments, or other debris can pierce the body and cause internal bleeding symptoms.
- Crushing injuries: In severe collisions, the compression of body parts between surfaces can damage organs and blood vessels.
Factors contributing to the severity of internal bleeding from a car accident include the speed at impact, angle of collision, and whether safety devices such as airbags were correctly deployed. Even seemingly minor accidents can produce enough force to cause internal damage, particularly in side-impact collisions where there’s less vehicle structure to absorb the impact.
Recognizing these risks underscores the importance of collaborating with an experienced legal team. At the Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., we understand the serious health complications that car accident victims may experience. We will make sure that all your injuries and future medical expenses are properly documented if we handle your injury claim.
Signs of Internal Bleeding from a Car Accident
Recognizing the signs of internal bleeding from a car accident can save your life. Internal injuries may develop slowly and not be apparent right after the crash. Adrenaline and shock can temporarily conceal symptoms, making a prompt medical evaluation and careful monitoring after an accident essential. Be alert for the following symptoms and warning signs of internal bleeding from a car accident:
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Dizziness and weakness
- Bruising
- Changes in mental status (confusion, difficulty concentrating)
- Loss of consciousness
- Pale, clammy skin
- Rapid pulse and low blood pressure
- Blood in urine or stool
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Severe headache
People injured in auto accidents may experience one or more symptoms of internal bleeding. Their onset can occur immediately or develop gradually over the days following the accident. Any suspicion of internal bleeding is a medical emergency that demands prompt evaluation. Careful documentation of your symptoms and how they progress can establish a clear link between the car accident and your injuries.
What Makes Internal Bleeding Cases Different?
Unlike broken bones or lacerations that are immediately apparent, internal hemorrhaging often requires advanced diagnostic imaging and extended medical monitoring to be fully assessed. These cases differ in the following ways:
- Delayed diagnosis often occurs
- Multiple medical specialists become involved
- Long-term complications may develop
- Extensive diagnostic testing is required
- Recovery timelines are less predictable
- Future medical needs are difficult to estimate
- Pain and suffering calculations become complex
Because internal injuries are not always immediately visible, insurers may dispute their connection to a collision. Experienced car accident attorneys know how to overcome these defense strategies by collaborating with medical experts to present persuasive evidence of the full extent of your injuries and the long-term effects. Internal bleeding can result in permanent organ damage, ongoing medical needs, and limitations that may impact your ability to work and enjoy daily life for years to come.
What Types of Compensation Can You Get for Internal Bleeding?
While New York is a no-fault state, car accident victims who suffer serious injuries such as internal bleeding may be eligible to pursue compensation through personal injury claims. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388 establishes owner liability for vehicles, while New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214 sets the statute of limitations for filing injury claims at three years from the accident date. Potential compensation categories include the following:
- Medical expenses: Coverage for emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, and diagnostic tests. Future medical costs for ongoing complications or required treatment also may be sought.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Compensation for time missed from work during recovery. If internal injuries affect your long-term ability to perform your job, you may claim compensation for diminished earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: Monetary awards for physical pain and emotional distress. Internal bleeding often causes prolonged discomfort, significantly impacting quality of life.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation when injuries prevent participation in previously enjoyed activities. Many internal injury survivors face permanent lifestyle limitations.
- Loss of consortium: Spouses may be eligible for compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and marital relations. When internal bleeding causes lasting injuries, your spouse may file a separate claim for the negative impact on your relationship and household dynamics.
- Wrongful death benefits: If internal bleeding proves fatal, surviving family members may pursue damages under New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law § 5-4.1. These damages include funeral expenses, lost financial support, and compensation for the loss of parental guidance and companionship.
Calculating fair compensation requires a thorough evaluation of both immediate and long-term impacts. Insurance companies often undervalue internal injury claims—particularly when full medical consequences haven’t yet become apparent. Having skilled legal representation ensures all current and future expenses and losses are taken into consideration during negotiations or trial proceedings.
Our Queens Car Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help
Can you suffer internal bleeding from a car accident? Yes, and the consequences of serious injuries can complicate your health, finances, and future. What can cause internal bleeding from a car accident ranges from direct impact forces to rapid deceleration, making knowledgeable legal representation essential for seeking appropriate compensation.
Don’t face insurance companies alone while recovering from internal injuries. The Queens car accident lawyers at the Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. understand the medical and legal complexities involved in severe injury cases. You can call our office today or reach out online to schedule a consultation with a dedicated Queens car accident lawyer. Our law firm will exhaust all avenues when pursuing just compensation for you.
About the Author
Simon Landsberg
Simon B. Landsberg is an associate attorney at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. He focuses his practice exclusively on representing individuals and families who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents and due to other forms of negligence.