After a North Carolina car accident, you’re focused on the immediate aftermath—getting to safety, checking for visible injuries, and exchanging information. But not all injuries show up right away. Internal injuries from a car accident are some of the most serious yet easily overlooked injuries you can experience.
The truth is that internal injuries don’t always come with clear signs. Days, or even weeks, after the accident, symptoms can suddenly appear, catching you off guard and potentially putting your health at serious risk.
Knowing what to watch for and when to seek medical help could make all the difference in your recovery. This post explains the key signs of internal injuries when to get treatment, and what steps to take if you need to pursue compensation.
Common Types of Internal Injuries After a Car Accident
Some of the most severe injuries can occur internally, affecting vital organs and systems without showing obvious signs. Here are several types of internal injuries to watch for.
Organ Damage
The force of impact in a crash can damage vital organs, especially the liver, spleen, and kidneys. This can lead to pain, tenderness, or swelling in specific areas, often without visible signs.
Internal Bleeding
This severe injury occurs when blood vessels rupture due to the impact. While some bruising might appear, internal bleeding often goes unnoticed until symptoms escalate.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
These can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Symptoms may be delayed, and people often overlook them until they interfere with daily activities.
Signs of Internal Bleeding After Car Accident
One of the most dangerous internal injuries from a car accident is internal bleeding. Unlike external cuts or scrapes, internal bleeding hides beneath the surface, making it easy to miss. Internal bleeding after a car crash can present as:
- Severe bruising. Deep bruising, particularly around the abdomen, chest, or head, can signal internal bleeding.
- Abdominal pain or swelling. Pain in the abdominal area or swelling that wasn’t there before could be due to blood pooling internally.
- Dizziness or fainting. If you’re feeling lightheaded or faint after an accident, it might indicate blood loss.
- Weakness on one side. Weakness or numbness on one side of your body can signal bleeding within the brain.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Internal bleeding from a car accident can worsen quickly, and early treatment is often critical to prevent severe health complications.
How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?
Many people expect symptoms to show up immediately after a car accident, but internal injuries don’t always follow that timeline. It’s common for some symptoms to emerge hours, days, or even weeks after the crash. This delay can make it challenging to connect symptoms back to the accident and get the necessary treatment.
Since symptoms can surface well after the accident, staying alert to any changes in your health is essential. Seeking a follow-up medical evaluation can help catch these delayed injuries before they escalate.
You may feel inclined to brush off your symptoms, especially if you don’t experience immediate pain or discomfort. However, ignoring potential signs of internal injuries from a car accident can have serious consequences.
Early Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Attention
Recognizing internal injuries after a car accident can be harder to identify than cuts, bruises, or broken bones. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a car accident, it’s important to consult a medical professional right away:
- Abdominal pain or tenderness. Pain or sensitivity in the abdominal area can be a sign of organ damage or internal bleeding, both of which may worsen without prompt intervention.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Feeling unusually dizzy or faint could indicate blood loss, even if you haven’t noticed visible injuries.
- Shortness of breath. Difficulty breathing or chest pain could point to injuries within the chest cavity, including damage to the lungs or heart.
- Nausea and vomiting. Persistent nausea or vomiting may be a result of head trauma, internal bleeding, or other internal injuries.
- Unexplained bruising. Bruises that appear away from the impact area, especially in the abdomen or chest, could signal hidden bleeding beneath the surface.
When symptoms like these appear, it’s critical not to wait and see if they’ll go away alone. Internal injuries can escalate quickly, and early medical intervention can be the key to preventing further complications.
How to Get Compensation for Internal Injuries from a Car Accident
If you’re dealing with internal injuries, you may face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term health challenges. Fortunately, pursuing compensation can help cover these costs and provide support during your recovery. Here are a few things to remember when pursuing compensation for your injuries:
- Seek medical treatment promptly,
- Keep records of all medical visits, and
- Document any missed work and related expenses.
By maintaining clear documentation, you’ll have a stronger foundation for negotiating compensation with insurance companies or, if needed, presenting a case in court.
Consult a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer at Mehta & McConnell
If you or a loved one is facing the challenges of internal injuries from a car accident, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Mehta & McConnell, we know how insurance companies operate and use that insight to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
With over 30 years of combined experience and board certification by the North Carolina State Bar, our team is dedicated to fighting for individuals who have suffered due to someone else’s negligence.
Hiring an attorney might feel like the last thing you want to consider, but choosing a firm with knowledge, dedication, and firsthand defense experience can make all the difference in your recovery and financial stability.
Contact us today for a free, no-commitment consultation with one of our experienced North Carolina personal injury attorneys. Let us work with you to secure the support and results you need to move forward.
Jason McConnell
Jason McConnell is the managing attorney of Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers, a Charlotte, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, cooking, traveling and following the UNC Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers.
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