Organ damage can be a devastating consequence of trauma and may go undetected for days or even weeks, depending on the severity and type of injury. This delay in treatment can have severe consequences, and could potentially shorten your life span. At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers in Denver, we help people who have sustained catastrophic injuries, like organ damage, from truck accidents.
Which Types of Truck Accidents Can Cause Internal Injuries?
Internal injuries can happen in nearly any type of truck accident. However, there are some scenarios that are more likely to cause internal injuries than others. Here are a few examples:
- Head-on Collisions: When a truck swerves into oncoming traffic, there are rarely only minor injuries, especially if both vehicles are traveling at full speed.
- Rear-end Collisions: Being rear-ended by a large truck causes the driver’s body to jerk unexpectedly forward, which often results in blows to the head and injuries to the neck, spine, and hips, which can cause trauma to the surrounding organs.
- Side Impact: The side of a passenger vehicle is usually the most vulnerable part. This can push shards of glass and metal inward, causing puncture wounds throughout the body.
- Underride Accidents: An underride accident happens when a tractor-trailer crosses an intersection unexpectedly, and a vehicle is forced underneath. This usually results in the top of the vehicle being sheared off, exposing the driver and passengers inside.
- Cargo Malfunctions: When cargo isn’t loaded properly, it can shift, causing a sudden transference of weight and throwing the truck off balance. This can result in the truck swerving or even tipping over onto other vehicles. Additionally, if the cargo isn’t secure, it may fly out and into traffic.
Which Organs Are Most At Risk?
The Brain
Even in the most minor truck accidents, the sudden force from a truck hitting a car can cause a person’s head to unexpectedly snap forward, backward, or sideways. If severe enough, this can cause a person’s head to make contact with windows or the steering wheel, but even the force itself is enough to cause a brain injury. The most common types of brain injuries in a truck crash are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, and bleeding inside the skull.
The Heart
Seat belts save lives, but that does not mean they cannot cause injuries if the force is severe enough. In high-impact truck accidents, seatbelts often compress the chest cavity and damage the heart itself, causing cardiac bruising, aortic rupture, or pericardial tamponade (fluid around the heart).
Respiratory Organs
If the chest cavity is compressed, the lungs, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and diaphragm can all sustain damage. Flying debris can also puncture the lungs or other respiratory organs. These are life-threatening injuries.
Abdominal Organs
Abdominal organs are particularly vulnerable in truck accidents, as most are unprotected by bones. Organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and gallbladder are commonly affected in side-impact crashes when the door of the car folds inwards and punctures the soft tissue. However, injuries to abdominal organs can also be caused by the impact of a tightening seat belt, an airbag, or a steering column, depending on the size of the victim.
Reproductive Organs
Reproductive organs (as well as the bladder) are mostly shielded by the pelvis, but that same shield can cause harm. Depending on the speed of the collision, the organs can shift and hit the bones of the pelvis. They can also be damaged if the pelvis breaks and causes a puncture.
What Are the Signs of Organ Injury or Damage?
The most common signs of organ damage can include:
- Acute pain
- Immobility
- Swelling
- Weakness
- Bruising
However, these symptoms are not unique to organ damage. A person may mistake their abdominal pain for a pulled muscle, or attribute some shortness of breath to allergies instead of a pictured lung. This is why prompt medical attention is so important.
There are some symptoms that may specifically indicate internal trauma. For example, yellowing of the skin or eyes may indicate liver damage, or incontinence may indicate trauma to the bladder or reproductive organs. The bottom line is that if your symptoms persist, it’s essential to get a medical evaluation, even if you’ve already spoken to a medical professional following the accident.
The Risks and Signs of Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a serious, life-threatening medical emergency and should be treated as such. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms after a truck accident, seek medical attention right away:
- Bruising: It’s very rare for there not to be some bruising following a truck accident. However, they’re also the most common indicator of internal bleeding. If your bruising is deep black, blue, or purple and persists for more than a day or two, it’s time to go to the hospital.
- Shortness of breath: Any trouble breathing is cause for concern, but if you sustained a blow to the chest or torso, symptoms like coughing, wheezing, gurgling, or irregular breathing may indicate blood pooling in or around the respiratory organs.
- Coughing, vomiting, or irregular bowels: Vomiting and nausea on their own are common signs of concussion or brain trauma; however, if you vomit or cough up blood, or see blood in your urine or stool, these are further indicators of internal bleeding.
- Cold, clammy skin: If you have cold, clammy skin following a truck accident, this may be caused by the body making up for blood loss in a particular area. Cold sensations are typically the first signs of shock, so don’t delay medical attention if you’re experiencing them.
- Erratic behavior, confusion, or mood swings: One of the more common signs of brain bleeding or concussion is confusion or erratic behavior. These may be obvious symptoms such as mood swings, outbursts, or imbalance. However, there are also more subtle signs, such as dizziness, unexplained sensations, or blurred vision.
How Our Denver Truck Accident Lawyers Advocate for Organ Injury Victims
A truck accident is one of the most traumatic and life-changing experiences that a person can endure, but recognizing the signs of a serious injury should be your top priority. It can save your life.
If you’d like help with your truck accident claim, call or contact our Denver truck accident attorneys to get started. Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has represented thousands of truck accident victims over the span of several decades and has truck accident lawyers throughout Colorado who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
