What Are the Signs of Internal Bleeding After a Car Accident?

Some injuries, such as broken bones, lost limbs, and deep cuts are apparent right after a car accident. However, there are some injuries that can take time for accident victims to notice. One of the most severe types is internal bleeding. This is considered a medical emergency, which means that it can result in death if you do not seek medical treatment right away.

Nine signs of internal bleeding after a collision

There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate you are bleeding internally after a car accident. However, you must pay close attention to your body and be aware of anything out of the ordinary. Here are nine signs of internal bleeding that you should keep an eye out for:

1. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy: Whether you are bleeding internally at a fast or slow pace, you may feel lightheaded. This usually occurs when a person’s blood pressure drops, which happens when internal bleeding is present. Therefore, if you try to stand or sit up after a car accident, you may instantly notice that you feel lightheaded or dizzy, which is a sign of bleeding internally.
2. Trouble breathing: When a person is bleeding internally, the number of red blood cells that are transporting oxygen to the tissues is reduced. With less oxygen being carried throughout the body, you are likely to experience breathing difficulties.
3. Pain: Pain is one of the first signs that people tend to notice when they are bleeding internally after a crash. The blood cannot escape the body, causing irritation and tenderness in the area. However, keep in mind that even though you may feel pain in one area, this does not always mean that is where the internal bleeding is located. For example, you may be bleeding in your stomach but feel pain in a different part of your body.
4. Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands: Another common sign of internal bleeding to look out for is numbness or tingling in the feet or hands. Your body’s reaction to losing blood may be to redirect blood to essential organs from your arms and legs. As a result, your hands, feet, toes, and fingers may feel numb.
5. Vision problems: Many people who experience internal bleeding report vision problems. Therefore, if you are losing blood too quickly, you may be unable to see much at all before eventually losing consciousness. When internal bleeding occurs in the brain or skull, you may also experience double vision, which is when you see two of the same object.
6. Bruising: Bruises may start to form in the location where the internal bleeding is occurring. For example, if you notice bruising around your stomach, this may be a clear indicator that you are bleeding internally in the stomach; if you see bruising on your side, this could be a sign that you are bleeding in or near your kidney.
7. Cognitive changes: If a person is bleeding internally, they may show signs of cognitive changes. For example, they may appear confused, dazed, in shock, or staring into space. This usually means that the person has lost too much blood, and their cognitive state is declining.
8. Nausea or vomiting: Nausea or vomiting is your body’s reaction to severe pain or rapid blood loss. Therefore, if you feel sick or cannot keep any food down, there is a strong possibility that you could have internal bleeding. While nausea and vomiting can occur with any type of internal bleeding, it is very common when there is bleeding in the brain or somewhere in the digestive tract.
9. Excessive sweating: If your car accident occurs on a hot summer day, there is a good chance that you will be a little sweaty. However, if you make your way into a cool place and still experience excessive sweating, this is a sign that you may be suffering from internal bleeding. Your body’s temperature changes drastically when you have blood loss. As a result, you can begin to sweat heavily.

What causes internal bleeding in an Oklahoma City car accident?

Depending on the unique details and circumstances of your accident, various factors can contribute to internal bleeding. Here are a few of the most frequently reported causes of internal bleeding in a car accident:

• Penetrating wounds: During a crash, debris and sharp objects may fly around the vehicle and cut and puncture your body. When this happens, the muscles, tissues, ligaments, and organs can experience penetrating wounds, which can cause internal bleeding.
• Seat belt injuries: Although seat belts are known to keep your body in place during an accident, they can also cause internal bleeding. For example, if you are involved in a vehicle rollover accident, the seat belt may become very tight and put too much pressure on your stomach, chest, and internal organs, leading to internal bleeding.
• Ejection from the vehicle: If you are ejected from the vehicle during an accident, you may not only experience internal bleeding from going through the windshield, but you may also hit the hard asphalt or other objects.
• Rapid airbag deployment: When an airbag deploys very quickly, it may strike your body and cause internal bleeding. Most of the time, car accident victims suffer internal bleeding in the stomach or chest due to rapid airbag deployment.
• Blunt force trauma: Blunt force trauma is one of the most common causes of internal bleeding in a car crash. This is when your body experiences injuries without penetrating wounds or cuts. Instead, the body is struck by a hard object, which results in internal injury to the blood vessels and organs.

Can I experience internal bleeding in a minor crash?

Even if you are involved in a minor fender-bender accident, you can still suffer internal bleeding. Most people think that severe and life-threatening injuries, such as internal bleeding, can only occur in serious car crashes. However, any type of accident that consists of force and impact can result in internal bleeding.

Have you recently experienced internal bleeding due to a car accident? If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Oklahoma City car accident lawyers at Cunningham & Mears at your earliest convenience. We listen to your experience, review your medical records, and determine who may be liable for your accident and injuries. Please call our office or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and begin going over your case with our team in Oklahoma City today.