What Internal Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

What is an Internal Injury?

An internal injury is any injury not visible outside of the body. These ailments have the capacity to do the same damage as external injuries, sometimes even worse, but are often overlooked because they may not present symptoms immediately and cannot be seen without medical tools.

These injuries are caused by physical trauma and force. In a car accident, for example, an individual may experience blunt, penetrating, or decelerating trauma. All three of these have the capacity to cause an internal injury.

What Internal Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

There is a wide variety of internal injuries that can be sustained in a car accident. However, some are more common than others. Consider the following most common internal injuries developed after auto accidents.

1. Fractured or broken ribs
2. Punctured or collapsed lung
3. Kidney damage
4. Liver damage
5. Ruptured spleen
6. Internal bleeding
7. Traumatic brain injuries

These are some of the most common internal injuries that can be caused by a car accident. Damage to all internal organs can include bruising, ruptures, punctures, and lacerations. The severity of these injuries can range from mild to severe depending on the forcefulness of the accident and details like the type of trauma sustained, the individual’s position in the car, etc.

Mild damage may heal on its own with rest but if the injury is severe it could require intervention like surgery. If left untreated certain internal injuries could be life-threatening or result in permanent damage.

Can I Be Compensated for Internal Injuries?

Like any physical or psychological injury sustained in a car accident, you can recover compensation for an internal injury. New Jersey is a no-fault accident state and all drivers are required to carry PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance. Regardless of who caused the accident, all drivers must turn to their own insurance provider for compensation for medical expenses and lost wages following an accident.

After being diagnosed and treated for an internal injury, you can present evidence of the accident and your damages and bills to your insurance company. Depending on your policy you can recover partial or full compensation to cover your associated costs.

If your injury is particularly serious or your policy does not provide enough coverage to cover all of your expenses, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.

For more information on your legal rights and options after a car accident, work with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer at Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC.