Do you know the signs of internal bleeding?

In a best-case scenario, you would have the ability to go through life without ever suffering any major injuries. Unfortunately, no one can predict whether he or she will end up in an injury-causing event. Everyday activities, like driving, pose major hazards that many individuals do not consider because the activities are so commonplace.

Of course, you likely do know that you are at risk of being involved in a car accident every time you hit Arizona roadways. However, you cannot dwell on that fact because if you did, you would likely never want to get behind the wheel. Still, a serious accident could affect you or someone you love one day, and severe injuries, like internal bleeding, could result.

Internal bleeding

Internal bleeding can occur from the two main types of trauma: blunt trauma or penetrating trauma. Blunt trauma commonly occurs in car accidents, but if the crash is severe, the possibility also exists for penetrating trauma. Unfortunately, internal bleeding could occur in any part of the body because any organ and any blood vessel could suffer damage in a traumatic event.

Severe sources of bleeding

Though it can happen in any area of the body, bleeding in certain areas could prove more severe than in other areas. Some examples of severe sources of bleeding include the following:

• Intracranial hemorrhage, which is internal bleeding resulting from a head trauma
• Hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade, which refer to bleeding around the heart
• Lacerations or perforations of the liver, spleen or other organs, which can lead to bleeding in the abdomen
• Hemothorax, which is bleeding around the lungs
• Bleeding in the center of the body from tears in major blood vessels, such as the aorta

Internal bleeding can cause damage to vital organs in these areas.

Signs of internal bleeding

After a car accident, serious injuries are not always visible or immediately known. It can take time before the results of blunt trauma appear, and internal bleeding could show some of these signs:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Abdominal pain or abdominal swelling
• Pain, swelling or tightness in an extremity
• Deeply purple coloring of the skin in a large area
• Headaches, loss of consciousness or seizures

If a person exhibits any of these signs, a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

Treatment

In cases of severe internal bleeding, you may need almost immediate surgery in order to keep the bleeding from worsening and causing considerable damage. While following the best course of treatment is wise, it can also prove expensive. After suffering such major injuries, you may face significant financial losses as well as having to contend with your pain and suffering. However, you may also have reason to file a personal injury claim against the driver considered at fault for the accident in order to seek compensation for allowable damages.

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