Proving Internal Bleeding After an Auto Accident

Internal bleeding is a serious injury that can lead to severe complications or even fatalities. Internal bleeding can also leave you with long-term or even permanent health complications. Thus, you shouldn’t be surprised if an auto insurance adjuster questions your claim of internal bleeding after an accident.

Here are some things to help you prove internal bleeding in such a situation.

Type of Trauma

Two types of trauma can cause internal bleeding. Proving that you suffered either or both types of trauma shows a high risk of internal bleeding.

1. Blunt Trauma

Blunt trauma occurs if something hits you or you hit something at high speed. For example, a blow to the abdomen can damage blood vessels and internal organs, leading to internal bleeding. The impact doesn’t have to break the skin to cause internal bleeding. You can use videos or pictures of the accident and your injuries to show the blunt trauma in such a case.

2. Penetrating Trauma

Penetrating trauma occurs if something pierces your body. An example is if a metal piece pierces your abdomen and damages your internal tissues. In this case, the wound’s site and size can help prove internal bleeding.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of your injuries can also prove internal bleeding. Typical signs of the injury include:

• Lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Pain
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Weakness on one side of the body

The symptoms vary by different factors, including the location of the trauma and affected blood vessels or internal organs. For example, bleeding in the brain is likely to cause vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness, among other symptoms.

Diagnosis

Every auto accident victim should seek medical care as soon as possible after the crash. The medical care will help you get the correct diagnosis of your injury. You can use the diagnosis to prove your internal bleeding.

Doctors have different diagnostic techniques for internal bleeding. Below are some of them:

• Physical examination. The doctor will examine the injury site for signs of blood vessel damage.
• Medical history review. The doctor may review our medical history to determine if things other than your accident may be causing your symptoms.
• Imaging tests. Doctors use imaging tests to view internal structures that hide under the skin. Things like X-rays and CT scans can show internal injury and bleeding. Blood tests. Blood tests can determine the level of blood loss, which may indicate internal bleeding.

Your medical records will contain details of your diagnosis. Get a copy of the records and use it to prove your internal bleeding claim.

Complications

Internal bleeding might lead to several medical complications. The complications depend on the severity of the injury, your overall health, and treatment, among other issues. For example, you might suffer organ damage if your internal bleeding continues for a long time. An expert witness can connect your complications to your accident and help you prove internal bleeding.

Treatment

Lastly, you can also use your treatment records to prove internal bleeding. Internal bleeding treatment can include:

• Rest
• Control of symptoms
• Repair of the damaged tissues
• Surgery (in extreme situations)

The necessary treatment depends on:

• Your overall health
• The affected tissues
• The trauma’s severity

Use your treatment to prove both your injury and damages. For example, you might lose some income if your doctor prescribes several days of rest.

Hopefully, you won’t suffer severe injuries anytime soon. However, you deserve full compensation if you do suffer an accident. You can only get full compensation if you can prove your injuries and damages. Contact Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney to evaluate your case and help you pursue your settlement. You can rely on our skills and several decades of experience.