The Emotional Effects After a Car Accident 
Car accidents are, unfortunately, all too common in the busy metro areas of Denver. So common, in fact, that many motorists regard the occasional scrape as a routine annoyance, something to get past as quickly as possible. But a car accident can be a life-altering event, endangering not only your commute but your physical health and emotional well-being.
Even if the injuries involved seem minor, there are several steps you should take to protect yourself and boost the healing process in the aftermath of a car accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident Injury?
Assessing the Damage
Right after a car accident, you may be dealing with several matters at once: contacting police and insurance companies, exchanging information with the other driver, checking out the damage to the vehicles and arranging for alternate transportation. But don’t neglect the most important task of all.
If you or anyone else involved was injured, even if you just feel “shook up,” seek medical help immediately.
In many instances, paramedics will be summoned to the scene to examine accident victims. But even if the incident doesn’t result in an immediate trip to the emergency room, it makes sense to get a thorough physical exam within 72 hours of the accident.
There are several reasons for this. Some injuries, including whiplash, may not be apparent immediately after the accident and only manifest hours or days later. Identifying soft-tissue damage or other injuries early in the process can be a key to getting better sooner.
And a delay in seeking treatment can also influence how an insurance company evaluates your car accident claim down the line; early detection and treatment of injuries helps your case — and your body, too.
Don’t put off seeking medical treatment or physical therapy simply because you don’t have insurance or are hoping that the injuries will “take care of themselves.” A knowledgeable Denver personal injury attorney can advise you on how to obtain the treatment you need while your insurance claim is still pending.
Feeling Depressed After Car Accident
Even those who are conscientious about treating the physical impacts of a car accident may not be aware of the emotional impact.
Psychologically, trauma can affect people in very different ways. Some people experience little emotional distress, but others may be grappling with a range of symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating on routine tasks.
It’s not unusual for car accident victims to be anxious about driving again, or even about being on the road as a passenger. Flashbacks and nightmares about the crash are sometimes reported, too.
Research indicates that close to one in ten people involved in car crashes develop some symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a serious condition that may require professional therapy and medication. If you’re experiencing emotional distress or struggling with the aftermath of a car accident, seeking guidance from a Denver car accident lawyer can provide you with the legal support and resources you need to navigate the situation effectively.
How Long Does The Emotional Trauma Last After a Car Accident?
There are so many variables in dealing with emotional trauma that it’s impossible to predict how any particular individual will respond.
Some people work through the most common emotional after-effects of a car accident, such as a reluctance to get back behind the wheel, in six months to a year — but depending on the severity of the accident, the type of trauma and treatment involved, and other factors, it could take longer.
Battling Depression and Getting Your Life Back
Another common psychological response to a traumatic event such as a car accident is depression — not simply being sad about the financial or physical damage involved, but overwhelmed by feelings of anger, helplessness, brooding over the accident, and so on.
If you’re feeling depressed, listless, or emotionally incapacitated, it’s important to not hide your condition but seek out mental health professionals who can evaluate and help you.
Most of all, it’s important not to isolate yourself after a car accident. Talk to loved ones about what you’re going through. Make efforts to exercise, take care of yourself, and get back to activities you enjoy. Don’t let phobias or stresses from the accident limit your ability to live your life in a healthy, productive way.
How Truck Accidents Can Cause Organ Damage 
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.
These are just some examples of injuries people can experience after a wreck. For a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, you should always consult a medical professional immediately following an accident.
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THE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT FDAZAR
For nearly forty years, the attorneys at Franklin D. Azar & Associates have helped thousands of injured people obtain complete and timely compensation for their losses. Our proven track record and expertise in serious injury cases have allowed us to grow into the largest personal injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Cheyenne, Denver, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Greeley, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Pueblo, and Thornton. If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, rideshare, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please call the car accident attorneys at FDAzar day or night at 800-716-9032, or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
