Not every car accident injury is visible. Some of the most life-threatening harm a crash can cause happens beneath the surface, where damage to organs and tissue may go undetected for hours or longer. The adrenaline your body releases during a collision has a way of masking pain and other warning signs, which is why so many people walk away from a wreck believing they are fine when they are not.
If you suffered internal injuries in a Tennessee car accident that was not your fault, you have the right to file a Nashville personal injury claim against the driver responsible. Read on to learn what makes these cases unique and how a trusted personal injury lawyer can help.
What Types of Internal Injuries Can a Car Accident Cause?
The blunt force of a collision can damage nearly any part of the body’s internal structure. The organs most vulnerable to this kind of trauma are the liver, spleen, and kidneys, all of which sit in areas that absorb significant impact during a crash. Damage to the lungs is also common, particularly when broken ribs puncture the surrounding tissue.
Internal bleeding is among the most urgent concerns after any serious accident. Unlike an open wound, there is nothing visible to alert you that something is wrong. Symptoms may take time to surface, and by the time they do, the situation may already be critical. Warning signs to monitor in the days after a crash include:
- Abdominal pain that worsens over time
- Deep bruising that spreads across the torso
- Persistent dizziness
- Sudden drops in energy
- Shortness of breath that was not present before the accident
- Blood appearing in your urine or stool
Seeking medical attention immediately after a collision is the single most important step you can take, both for your health and for the strength of any future car accident legal claim.
Why Do Delayed Symptoms Make Internal Injury Claims More Complicated?
The gap between the accident and the onset of symptoms creates an opening that the other side will try to exploit. If you did not go to the emergency room on the day of the crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier may argue that your injuries came from something else entirely. They may also question why you waited to seek care if the damage was truly serious.
This is where thorough medical documentation becomes essential after a car accident. A doctor who examines you shortly after the accident can establish a baseline, and follow-up visits create a paper trail that ties your diagnosis directly to the collision. Your car accident attorney can also use this timeline to shut down any arguments about causation and keep the focus where it belongs.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Tennessee
Internal injuries demand fast medical attention and fast legal action in equal measure. If someone else’s negligence put you in this position, our legal team has the experience and resources to help you make the most of your claim for money damages.
Call (615) 640-3648 today to set up a free consultation with Woodard Injury Law. We’ve won millions for car accident victims in the state so far and are confident we can help you as well.