After a serious car crash, truck accident, workplace accident, or other traumatic event, some injuries are obvious right away. You may have a broken bone, a deep cut, or an injury that makes it impossible to stand or walk.
But not every serious injury looks serious from the outside. Internal injuries can develop after blunt trauma, and symptoms may not always be obvious immediately. That’s one reason it is important to take medical symptoms seriously after an accident, even if you initially think you are fine.
According to the National Library of Medicine’s overview of blunt abdominal trauma, complications can include missed abdominal injuries, delays in diagnosis and treatment, and even delayed splenic rupture.
What Are Internal Injuries?
An internal injury occurs when trauma damages structures inside the body. Depending on the accident, injuries can affect the abdomen, chest, organs, blood vessels, or other internal structures.
Examples can include:
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to the spleen, liver, kidneys, or other organs
- Injuries to the intestines or other abdominal structures
- Internal bruising and tissue damage
- Lung or chest injuries
- Damage to blood vessels
A person involved in a high-impact collision may also have multiple injuries at the same time. For example, a broken rib can occur alongside an internal organ injury.
Why Might Symptoms Take Time to Appear?
It’s natural to assume that a serious injury will cause immediate and severe pain. Unfortunately, the body doesn’t always work that way.
Immediately after an accident, adrenaline and the stress response can make it difficult to recognize the full extent of an injury. A victim also may be focused on getting out of the vehicle, talking with police, checking on passengers, or dealing with the immediate aftermath.
Medical research also demonstrates why careful medical evaluation matters. One study found that delayed diagnosis of certain injuries following blunt abdominal trauma was associated with increased morbidity and longer hospital and intensive-care stays.
That does not mean every internal injury is initially hidden. It does mean that symptoms and complications can evolve, and medical evaluation is important after you suffer significant trauma.
Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
After a serious accident, seek medical attention if you develop symptoms such as:
- Increasing abdominal or chest pain
- Abdominal swelling or tenderness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Unusual weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Blood in urine or stool
- Vomiting or nausea
- Confusion
- A rapid heartbeat
- Increasing pain that was not present immediately after the accident
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have an internal injury. They do mean that you should not simply assume everything is fine. Instead, see a doctor for medical advice.
How Internal Injuries Can Affect a Personal Injury Claim
If another person’s negligence caused your accident, an internal injury can become an important part of your Texas personal injury claim.
Medical records can help establish:
- Which injuries were diagnosed
- When symptoms began
- Which testing was performed
- Whether surgery or hospitalization was required
- How long recovery is expected to take
- Whether additional medical treatment may be necessary
- Whether the injury affects your ability to work
Texas law generally allows recovery of damages for qualifying personal injuries, but proving the connection between the accident and the injury is important.
Texas also limits recovery of medical expenses to the amount actually paid or incurred by or on behalf of the claimant in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.0105. The Texas Supreme Court addressed this issue in Haygood v. Garza de Escabedo, explaining how Section 41.0105 limits the recovery of medical expenses in personal injury cases.
A Texas Case Involving Internal Injuries
Texas case law also shows that internal injuries can form an important part of an accident claim.
In Dallas Railway Terminal Co. v. Orr, the Texas Supreme Court considered a personal injury claim arising from a collision between an automobile and a bus. The plaintiff alleged that she suffered internal injuries, including abdominal injuries, as well as other physical injuries and continuing pain. The court addressed how evidence concerning the accident, preexisting conditions, and resulting pain and disability should be considered when determining damages.
The case is a useful reminder that the question is not simply whether someone “looked injured” at the accident scene. The medical evidence and the relationship between the accident and the claimed injuries matter.
What Should You Do After an Accident?
If you have been involved in a serious accident:
- Get medical attention, even if your symptoms seem manageable.
- Tell your medical provider about the accident and all of your symptoms.
- Follow recommended testing and treatment.
- Keep copies of medical records and bills.
- Follow up if new or worsening symptoms develop.
- Avoid assuming that the absence of obvious external injuries means you are uninjured.
We encourage you to speak with a Texas personal injury attorney if you believe someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have an internal injury even if I felt fine immediately after an accident?
Yes. Some traumatic injuries may not be obvious immediately, and symptoms can develop or become more noticeable later. After a significant accident, a medical evaluation can help identify injuries that aren’t apparent on an initial exam.
Can I still pursue a personal injury claim if my internal injury was diagnosed days after the accident?
Potentially, yes. Key questions include whether the accident caused the injury and whether the medical evidence supports that connection. A delayed diagnosis does not automatically mean that an injury was unrelated to the accident. An attorney can review the accident circumstances and medical records to evaluate the claim.
Protect Your Rights After a Serious Accident
Dealing with internal injuries from an accident in Texas? Need help recovering the compensation that you deserve? Our success for injured clients shows why hardworking Texans trust us to fight for them. At Allen & Nunnally, we pride ourselves on maintaining a high level of preparation and discipline, which stems from our time in the Marines. To schedule a free personal injury consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, email us at info@allen-nunnally.com, use our convenient Contact Form, or call (713) 955-2217.