A car crash can cause more than just visible cuts or bruises. Some of the most serious harm happens deep inside the body, well out of sight. These internal injuries often result from blunt trauma caused by contact at high speeds with a seat belt, airbag, or steering wheel. Unfortunately, their symptoms may not appear immediately. That’s why every car accident victim should seek prompt medical attention. Mild chest or abdominal pain or bruising can mask much more serious injuries.
While you focus on your physical recovery and managing your medical treatment, the weight of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress can mount quickly. To make matters worse, insurance companies may question whether your injuries from a car accident or they’ll try to downplay the severity of your condition.
Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has helped South Carolina families pursue compensation for injuries from car wrecks. Our team understands the physical pain and serious consequences that follow injury victims, and are committed to holding negligent parties accountable.
Why South Carolina Car Accident Victims Choose Joye Law Firm
Joye Law Firm has represented people who suffered internal injuries in motor vehicle accidents throughout the state for more than five decades. Clients choose us because:
- Decades of experience with complex trauma cases: We have handled thousands of claims involving internal injuries, so we understand the medical treatment and long-term care these conditions require. These are a few recent results we’ve obtained for our clients:
- $700,000 settlement for a woman who suffered a punctured lung, broken rib, and sternum, and other internal injuries as a passenger in a
- $1.2 million settlement for a man struck while outside his stationary vehicle in traffic, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, fractured ribs, torn rotator cuff, punctured lungs and other internal injuries.
- Thorough investigation and evidence gathering: Our in-house team collects crash reports, surveillance footage, medical charts, imaging studies, black box data, and statements from first responders. Proper documentation links internal injuries to the collision and counters an insurance company’s attempt to downplay harm that is not visible on day one.
- Focus on your whole recovery: We track hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and future medical needs, then pursue compensation for every dollar the accident victim will face.
- Straight talk: We explain each step of the personal injury process without legal jargon and stay available to answer questions about treatment or claim status. Our client contract is easy to understand, and we will never surprise you with any hidden fees. In fact, we are known for our No Fee Guarantee. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How Often Do Internal Injuries Happen After a Car Accident?
A 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Data Brief reports that an average of 3.4 million emergency-department visits for motor vehicle crash injuries occurred each year in 2017-2018. The figure underestimates the real number of internal injuries because many people do not realize they are hurt until hours or days later.
Types of Internal Injuries and Symptoms to Watch For
| Internal injury | What it is | Common symptoms |
| Broken ribs | One or more ribs break under blunt trauma. Broken edges can bruise a lung or pierce blood vessels inside the chest cavity | Chest pain when breathing or coughing, tenderness or swelling along the rib line, visible bruising, difficulty breathing, severe pain during movement |
| Internal bleeding | Blood vessels inside the abdomen, chest, or skull tear and leak | Cold or clammy skin, lightheadedness, pale complexion, intense thirst, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain or swelling |
| Bleeding in the brain (traumatic brain injuries) | Tiny vessels rupture inside the skull, raising pressure on brain tissue | Persistent headaches, confusion, memory problems, mood changes, nausea or vomiting, unequal pupils |
| Abdominal aorta injury or aneurysm | The body’s main artery is torn or develops a sudden bulge after a rapid deceleration | Deep back or abdominal pain, pulsating sensation in the abdomen, rapid heartbeat, signs of shock such as clammy skin |
| Spleen damage | A blow or a fractured rib slices into the spleen | Sharp pain under the left ribs or into the left shoulder, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, worsening fatigue |
| Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) | Air leaks into the chest cavity, causing the lungs to shrink | Sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, blue-tinged lips, or fingertips |
| Liver or kidney lacerations | Soft tissue organs tear when they strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or seat belt | Right- or left-sided abdominal pain, bruising, nausea, blood in urine, low blood pressure |
| Bowel perforations | A hard impact ruptures part of the small or large intestine | Fever, abdominal tenderness, severe bloating, inability to pass gas, increasing pain |
These are the most common internal injuries from car accidents, but any severe collision can damage vital organs and blood vessels.
Causes of Internal Injuries in Car Crashes
Internal injuries can be some of the most dangerous and difficult to detect. These injuries often result from the force of impact or blunt trauma and may not show symptoms right away, making is critical to understand how they occur.
Blunt Trauma
Blunt trauma is a blow that does not break the skin. The chest hitting a steering wheel or the abdomen striking a seat belt can fracture ribs, bruise lungs, and tear soft tissue.
Decelerating Trauma
When a fast-moving vehicle stops suddenly, vital organs travel at the old speed and pull against surrounding tissue. This stretching can shear blood vessels, tear the aorta, or bruise the brain without leaving an external mark.
Penetrating Trauma
Flying glass, metal, or a shattered doorframe can break the skin and draw attention to the obvious wound. Less obvious is the internal bleeding or organ perforation that may occur at the same time. Emergency personnel must look past the surface to find hidden danger.
