Accidents often result in painful internal injuries with long and costly recoveries. At Sieben Polk P.A., we fight for the compensation victims need to heal and move forward. We understand the common causes of internal organ injuries in car accidents and other injury accidents and use that knowledge to pursue justice.
- Internal organ injuries can happen in any accident, from a car crash to a slip and fall.
- Symptoms of internal injuries include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, blood pressure changes, and bruising; loss of consciousness and reduced blood pressure are also signs of severe injury.
- Minnesota is a no-fault state, so your insurance company should cover the costs of your injuries up to your policy limit.
- If someone else is at fault, you can pursue compensation for non-covered expenses through the responsible party’s policy or legal action.
Common Causes of Internal Injuries From Car Accidents
Traumatic injuries from car accidents often fall into one of three categories:
- Penetration injuries: Penetration means an object breaks the skin. Some penetration injuries result in simple cuts or scrapes, while severe penetration can cause organ damage. For example, a high-speed collision may cause the car’s frame to crumple and shards of metal or glass to penetrate the abdominal cavity.
- Sudden deceleration injuries: Traumatic injuries occur when the body is in motion and suddenly stops. For example, if you are driving on the highway and someone rear-ends you, the car stops faster than your body. Your head and neck may snap forward, causing your brain to move inside your skull.
- Blunt force trauma: Blunt force accidents occur when a solid, non-sharp object hits a person’s body. If the impact is strong enough to crush or damage the vessels that supply blood to the organ, it can cause internal injuries.
Blunt-force trauma from a car accident is the most common cause of severe traumatic injuries in hospitals. Many of these are abdominal injuries involving organs such as the liver, stomach, and kidneys. Bone fractures may also fall into the category of internal injury.
Internal Organ Injuries From Non-Car Accident Incidents
Many scenarios other than car accidents can result in traumatic injury. Incidents we see include:
- Child injuries: Lack of supervision or proper safety gear can lead to serious harm, including internal organ damage.
- Bicycle accidents: Cyclists are highly vulnerable on the road, making severe injuries and permanent disabilities more likely.
- Boating accidents: Boating is popular in Minnesota, but reckless or negligent operation can put others at risk of serious injury.
- Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrians have little protection in crashes, often suffering severe head injuries or fatal wounds when drivers are negligent.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Many TBI victims are still unable to work after a year. They often face high medical costs, lost wages, long-term therapy, and emotional distress.
- Slip and fall accidents: Whether slipping on Minnesota’s icy sidewalks or tripping on poorly maintained pavement, injuries can go beyond minor scrapes—internal organ damage and lengthy recoveries are real risks.
Any of these scenarios can cause significant internal damage. At Sieben Polk P.A., our attorneys have extensive experience handling these cases and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Signs and Symptoms of Internal Organ Damage
The first challenge of internal organ damage is identifying it. Unlike a bruise or broken leg, symptoms can manifest as illness, leading to the injury going untreated for a long time. This can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s essential to identify organ damage as soon as possible to seek treatment and get documentation of your injury.
Signs of internal organ damage may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Tenderness to the touch
- Rigid belly
- Bruising around the navel or sides
- Bloody urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Racing pulse
- Drop in blood pressure
- Cold or clammy skin
- Loss of consciousness
Some internal injuries cause referred pain, which the patient feels somewhere other than the injury site. For instance, spleen injuries often cause pain in the left arm and shoulder, while liver damage can cause pain in the right shoulder or right side of the abdomen.
Signs of Severe Internal Injury
Severe internal bleeding can cause hemorrhagic shock, which is a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms include shallow breathing, weak pulse, heavy sweating, and loss of consciousness.
Signs of shock and internal bleeding are the most critical organ damage symptoms to watch for. Be aware of any changes to the heart rate, including a racing pulse or a drop in blood pressure. These can indicate bleeding inside the abdominal cavity. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Life-Threatening Injuries and Medical Care
Symptoms may not show up immediately after the injury. It takes time for internal blood loss to reach a level that causes noticeable symptoms, but when it does, getting treatment fast can be the difference between life and death.
Unfortunately, if a care provider fails to recognize the extent of these injuries, accident victims may suffer the consequences.
Legal Rights After Suffering Internal Organ Injuries in a Car Accident
If you suffered internal injuries in a car accident and someone else is liable, you have the right to pursue compensation.
Minnesota is a no-fault state for auto insurance. This means your personal injury protection insurance (PIP) must cover your medical costs and related wage loss up to your policy limit. If your expenses exceed that limit, you can pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
If the other driver’s liability insurance is insufficient or their insurance company fails to offer you a fair amount, you may choose to file a lawsuit. Legal action may allow you to collect damages above and beyond what your insurance may cover.
Why Choose Sieben Polk for Internal Organ Injury Cases
Sieben Polk P.A. is dedicated to providing top-quality legal services for injury victims across the Twin Cities area. We have been fighting for Minnesotans for over 50 years and have secured multiple favorable personal injury settlements, including $2.5 million for a local couple who suffered serious injuries in a car accident.
We combine top-tier legal representation with personalized attention, bringing you the best aspects of a large firm with a small practice atmosphere. We tailor our legal counsel to the needs of each client while gathering the resources we have to protect your rights, and you don’t pay us unless we obtain compensation for your claim.
Our dedicated attorneys have earned multiple state and national recognitions, including Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year. We are also proud to have earned positive testimonials from numerous clients who have appreciated our skill, compassion, and tireless advocacy. We remain dedicated to helping you recover physically, emotionally, and financially from your injury.
Our personal injury attorneys will protect your legal rights. Call us at 651-437-3148 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
