In 2012, there were 337 pedestrians who suffered serious injury in traffic accidents across the state of Washington, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. In King County, home to major metropolitan areas like Kirkland and Seattle, there were 133 serious injuries to pedestrians.
While some of the types of injuries that arise as a result of a pedestrian accident are both easy to recognize and straightforward to treat -- such as minor lacerations and fractures -- others can be much more complicated and dangerous. One type of injury that can be particularly deadly is an injury that leads to internal damage and bleeding.
After a pedestrian accident, being able to recognize the signs of internal damage and bleeding can save your life or someone else’s. The following provides an overview on the causes, signs and symptoms of internal injuries.
What is internal bleeding?
Unlike external bleeding, which is very easy to recognize, internal bleeding happens when the blood vessels or organs inside of a person’s body are damaged, causing blood loss within the body. Some internal injuries will stop bleeding on their own; others require immediate attention and may even require surgery.
The two most common causes of an internal injury are blunt trauma, or having one part of the body collide or be struck with something else, and a penetrating trauma, in which an object enters the body. When a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle, he or she is at high risk of sustaining an internal injury, most commonly by the blunt trauma of the car colliding with the body.
Some Signs of Internal Damage
Internal bleeding is a serious condition that requires immediate attention. If left untreated, some internal injuries can result in death. According to MedlinePlus, symptoms and signs of internal bleeding may include the following.
- abdominal pain and swelling.
- chest pain.
- external bleeding through a natural opening (such as blood in stool, urine, vomit or vaginal bleeding).
- and, changes in skin color that occur several days after the injury (purple black, blue, yellowish-green).
Other signs of internal bleeding may include light-headedness or dizziness, fainting, headache, loss of consciousness, and swelling and pain in the area where the bleeding may be occurring. While external bleeding usually can be treated with pressure and bandages, you should not attempt to correct internal bleeding without professional help; doing so may worsen the injury. If you suspect internal bleeding, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Long-Term Consequences of Internal Injuries
If an internal bleeding injury is treated immediately, there is a good chance that it will cause no further health issues. However, depending upon the location, severity and how much blood is lost, internal injuries can result in shock, organ failure, coma or brain damage.
If you’ve been in a pedestrian accident and you notice signs of internal damage, seek medical help immediately. Then seek legal help to address the short- and long-term damages related to your injuries.
Take Legal Action Now if You Suffered Internal Bleeding in a Pedestrian Accident
After experiencing internal injuries, a person may have permanent loss of function or require long-term medical care, may have expensive medical bills, and may experience stress, anxiety and depression associated with the accident and injury.
At Max Meyers Law PLLC, our attorneys know how devastating a pedestrian accident can be, especially if you suffer serious injuries like internal organ damage or bleeding. If you need help recovering compensation after your accident in Kirkland, we can help. To get started, call us today at 425-399-7000 or use our online contact form to set up an appointment with a lawyer.
