Posted on Monday, September 23rd, 2024 at 9:00 am
Injuries in Utah car accidents often go beyond visible cuts and bruises. Severe collisions can also cause internal injuries that might not show symptoms right away. If you’re worried about internal injuries from a car accident, it’s essential to know the signs and understand your options for seeking compensation.
The Utah car accident lawyers at London Harker Injury Law have helped many people like you recover fair compensation for their losses. It’s particularly crucial to seek compensation for internal injuries. Those injuries can include organ damage, internal bleeding, and fractures. Such injuries can have lasting effects on your health and finances. We can help you identify the compensation you’re entitled to and guide you through the necessary steps so you can focus on your recovery. Read on to learn more.
What Are Internal Injuries from Car Accidents
Before discussing your potential compensation for internal injuries from a car accident, it’s helpful to understand what “internal injuries” means in this context. “Internal injuries” harm the organs, tissues, or blood vessels inside your body. Unlike cuts or broken bones, which are usually easy to see and identify, internal injuries might not be immediately obvious. These injuries often result from the force of the collision, which can cause your body to be jolted or crushed.
What makes internal injuries so severe is that they can quickly become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Internal bleeding, for example, might not show symptoms right away, but it can lead to severe complications or even death if left untreated. This hidden nature makes internal injuries particularly dangerous.
Because of these injuries’ severity and potential long-term impact, it’s vital to hire a capable lawyer to help you seek compensation. A skilled attorney can help you get the financial support needed to cover:
- Extensive medical treatments
- Rehabilitation
- Other expenses related to your recovery.
Without proper legal representation, you might not receive the full compensation you deserve, which can make it even harder to manage the challenges that come with internal injuries.
Examples of Internal Injuries After a Car Accident
Understanding the different types of internal injuries can help you recognize the signs and seek appropriate medical attention. Here are some examples of internal injuries that can occur after a car accident:
- Internal Bleeding: Internal bleeding happens when blood vessels sustain damage during a crash, causing blood to pool inside the body. This can result from the impact of the collision or from being struck by objects inside the car. If not treated promptly, internal bleeding can lead to shock, organ failure, or death. Long-term symptoms of internal bleeding may include chronic pain or other complications.
- Organ Damage: The force of a car accident can cause severe damage to internal organs. For example, a hard blow to the abdomen might rupture the spleen or liver, leading to abdominal pain, internal bleeding, and potential organ failure. Organ damage can be life-threatening and may require surgery or even organ removal. Long-term effects can include reduced organ function and the need for ongoing medical care.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A TBI occurs when the brain sustains a hard blow, such as when the head strikes the steering wheel or window during a crash. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Short-term effects include headaches, dizziness, and confusion, while long-term effects can involve memory loss, impaired mental functions, and permanent disabilities.
- Rib Fractures and Punctured Lungs: The impact of a car accident can fracture ribs, which in turn can puncture a lung. This can lead to a collapsed lung, making it difficult to breathe and requiring immediate medical attention. Short-term effects of broken ribs include severe pain and breathing difficulties, while long-term effects might include chronic pain and reduced lung capacity.
- Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm: The force of a car accident can cause the abdominal aorta to rupture or develop an aneurysm, which is a dangerous bulge in the artery. This condition can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding if the aneurysm bursts. The long-term effects can be severe, including the need for surgery and ongoing medical monitoring.
Compensation for Internal Injuries After a Car Accident
Recovering compensation for internal injuries after a Utah car accident can be tricky because of the state’s no-fault car insurance system. By law, every auto insurance policy issued in Utah must include at least $3,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage is your first option for covering your medical bills and lost wages after a crash, and it’s available regardless of who caused the accident.
However, your PIP coverage likely won’t be enough if you sustain internal injuries in a collision. The cost to treat internal injuries, combined with your lost income while you can’t work, can easily exceed your PIP coverage. Furthermore, PIP coverage doesn’t provide compensation for your pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and other losses from a collision.
It’s possible to step outside the no-fault system and sue the other driver in a crash, but you must meet specific requirements. Utah law says you can’t sue the other driver unless you’ve sustained one of the following injuries:
- A lost limb (dismemberment)
- One or more broken bones
- Permanent disfigurement
- Any injury causing a permanent impairment or disability
- Any injury causing more than $3,000 in medical bills
An experienced attorney can help you file a lawsuit against the other driver and seek additional compensation for your losses, including compensation for:
- All current and future medical expenses related to the crash
- Your lost income while you heal
- Any reduction in your future earning potential due to the crash
- Your pain and suffering
- Your emotional distress
- Your diminished quality of life
- Your damaged personal property
How We Can Help If You’ve Sustained Internal Injuries in a Car Accident
Because internal injuries are expensive to treat and can dramatically impact your life, it’s critical to get help from an experienced and dedicated attorney. The Provo car accident attorneys at London Harker Injury Law can handle all the legal work in your case while you rest and heal. We’ll investigate the crash to identify the liable parties, document all your losses, gather evidence to support your claim and handle settlement negotiations with the insurance companies. If the insurers don’t make a fair offer, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court and represent you at trial. We have the legal knowledge and proven track record to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and work with you to help you receive the maximum benefits available.
Quick action is essential to recovering fair compensation after sustaining internal injuries in a collision. Call London Harker Injury Law now at (772) 272-7274 or complete our contact form for a free consultation from our lawyers.
